Missing From Home
Supporting Children and Young People following a missing episode within Staffordshire and beyond its boundaries dependent upon where they reside
Meet Our Return Home Interview Coordinator
Trinity Support Services provides an independent Return Home Interview (RHI) Service for children and young people across Staffordshire who have been reported missing and subsequently located.
Our service ensures that every child is offered the opportunity to speak to a trained, independent practitioner following a missing episode. We aim to understand their experiences, identify any safeguarding concerns, and help reduce the risk of future incidents.
What is a Return Home Interview?
A Return Home Interview is a confidential, child-centred conversation offered to a young person after they have been missing. It:
- Takes place within statutory timescales (usually within 72 hours of their return)
- Is delivered by an independent practitioner
- Provides a safe, non-judgemental space for the young person to share their experiences
- Explores the reasons why they went missing, including any “push” or “pull” factors
- Identifies risks, vulnerabilities, or unmet needs
The voice of the child is central to every conversation.
Our Approach
At Trinity Support Services, we are committed to:
- ✔ Listening to and valuing each young person’s perspective
- ✔ Building trust through respectful, trauma-informed practice
- ✔ Identifying safeguarding concerns at the earliest opportunity
- ✔ Working collaboratively with Children’s Social Care, Police, and partner agencies
- ✔ Supporting plans that reduce repeat missing episodes
We understand that children go missing for many complex reasons. Our practitioners are experienced in working with issues such as vulnerability, exploitation risk, family breakdown, emotional wellbeing concerns, and other safeguarding matters.
Information Sharing and Safeguarding
Where appropriate, and with consideration to consent and confidentiality, information from the Return Home Interview is shared with relevant professionals. This ensures risks are understood and that the right support is put in place to safeguard each child.
Our Purpose
Our goal is simple:
To make sure every child who goes missing has the opportunity to be heard, understood, and supported.
By identifying underlying concerns and working in partnership with local agencies, we strengthen safeguarding responses and reduce the likelihood of further missing episodes.
Our Return Home Interview Coordinator is Karen Bruce, who brings extensive experience working with vulnerable children, young people, and adults, engaging them effectively and respectfully.
Karen has deep knowledge of safeguarding and protective practices, ensuring every child’s safety and wellbeing is central to her work.
Her commitment to the service is reflected in improved outcomes for children and young people across Staffordshire.
