Having worked in the event childcare industry for over 30 years, I’ve seen attitudes towards Lost Child Points evolve significantly. Today, even small community events are rightly expected to have a clear and effective Lost Child Policy and Procedures. The most recent companies to complete our Childcare Training courses have been a local flower show and village fayre!
This isn’t just about compliance, it’s about trust, reputation and ensuring families feel safe attending your event.
A Lost Child Policy is no longer a ‘nice to have’. It is a fundamental requirement. Public perception plays a huge role in the success of an event and nothing damages an organiser’s or event’s reputation faster than reports of a poorly managed lost child incident. Having provided a Lost Child Service to many high-profile events over the years, including The London Olympics, The Queen’s Jubilee and even Glastonbury once upon a time (really!) we have seen firsthand the reassurance a well-planned and signposted service offers attendees, how it protects staff and ensures a swift resolution in the highly sensitive event of a missing or found child.
Whether you’re hosting a local festival, a national exhibition, or an international event, having a clear, well-communicated Lost Child Policy and Service demonstrates professionalism, preparedness and a commitment to safeguarding.
So, assuming you wouldn’t run an event without one, what are the must-haves when it comes to an LCP?
A Lost Child Point serves as a safe, designated location where found children are cared for until they can be reunited with their parent or guardian. It should incorporate;
Clearly Signposted Location – Easily identifiable with appropriate signage, ideally separate from the main organiser’s office. Think about the visual from a child point of view as well as their parent – you want them to recognise safety.
Trained Staff – Team members who understand safeguarding, behaviour management and lost child protocols are a must – as are the relevant background checks.
Secure Area – A physically safe space, with equipment to help entertain children should an incident arise.
Identity Verification Process – Procedures to verify parent/guardian identity before reuniting children – it still amazes me to see children being handed over to adult with less checks than one gives a credit card or purse!
Incident Log – A record of all lost/found children, including times, staff involved and resolution details, this covers you after the event.
Communication Plan – Radio protocol for alerting security/staff without causing public panic – and if you’re tempted by codewords I strongly advise you read my thoughts on the subject!
GDPR-Compliant Data Handling – Ensuring any child information collected is stored and handled correctly. (Tune back in for next month’s blog as we cover data danger!)
A Wristband Service – make sure every child is already familiar with the Lost Child Point branding, location and staff! A relatively inexpensive service which could even be sponsored, this is a value-add for parents which enhances the experience for everyone.
Creating a robust Lost Child Policy and Service isn’t just about ticking boxes, it’s about ensuring staff feel confident, parents feel reassured and children feel safe. Here are key best practices to consider:
Up to Date Staff Training – Ensure all staff are trained in lost child procedures and know how to help regulate children who are feeling distressed, emotional and/or scared.
Clear Public Communication – Announce lost child procedures at the start of an event, include them in event literature and ensure your Lost Child Service is clearly signposted.
Multi-Team Cooperation – Work with local authorities, security and emergency services to align procedures, make the company providing your Lost Child Service the centre of this.
Scenario Planning – Ensure everyone on the event team can efficiently handle a lost child situation, equip them with the skills to do so.
When an event is known for its strong safeguarding procedures, it builds trust. Parents are more likely to attend, confident in the knowledge that their children’s safety is a priority. Event staff feel empowered rather than panicked if a child is lost. And from an organisational standpoint, a well-managed Lost Child Policy protects against liability and reputational damage.
At Nipperbout, we’ve spent over 30 years refining lost child procedures at some of the UK’s biggest events. Whether you are planning a local gathering or a large-scale festival, ensuring your Lost Child Point is up to standard is an investment in your event’s success.
If you’re looking to develop or refine your Lost Child Policy, procedures or to invest in your team training, our CPD-accredited courses can provide everything you need to know starting from just £87 per seat. Because when it comes to child safety at events, preparation is everything.
