Overview

The Runaway and Missing Children Bill aims to improve the safeguarding of runaway and missing children in England and Wales by requiring the Secretary of State to coordinate information gathering and responses among relevant agencies like the police and local authorities.

Description

This bill defines "runaway and missing children" broadly, encompassing children under 18 who have left home for various reasons, including running away, being rejected by those responsible for them, being unlawfully taken or kept away, or simply being missing. The bill mandates that the Secretary of State must create systems for collecting and sharing information on these children and coordinate the response of police, local authorities and other relevant organizations.

Key Aspects:

• Broad Definition: Includes various scenarios of children going missing.
• Secretary of State's Duty: Requires the Secretary of State to establish a system for data collection, reporting, and inter-agency coordination.
• Geographic Scope: Applies only to England and Wales.

Government Spending

The bill states that any expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State in implementing the Act, as well as any increase in spending under other enactments resulting from this Act, will be funded from money provided by Parliament. No specific figures are provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Runaway and missing children: The bill directly aims to improve their safeguarding.
• Police forces in England and Wales: Required to participate in the coordinated response.
• Local authorities in England and Wales: Required to participate in the coordinated response.
• The Secretary of State: Responsible for implementing the Act and coordinating the agencies involved.
• Other relevant bodies (not specified): These organizations will also be expected to participate in the system.

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