Rising Concerns Over Missing Children in Northern Ireland
Over the past five years, more than 1,400 children who are looked after by the state in Northern Ireland have been reported missing from their care placements. These figures, revealed through an Assembly Question to the Health Minister, highlight a growing crisis that has sparked concern among officials and child welfare experts.
The data, which spans from April 2020 to March 2025, shows a total of 1,427 cases of missing children. In the most recent year alone, 265 children went missing across Northern Ireland, with Belfast Trust recording the highest number at 198. This significant figure has raised questions about the challenges faced by local authorities in ensuring the safety and stability of vulnerable young people.
Further analysis of the data indicates that a large proportion of these missing children—over 1,148 in total—were considered at risk of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE). In the 2024/25 period, this number stood at 232, with 187 of them located within the Belfast Trust area. The issue of sexual exploitation is particularly alarming, as it exposes these children to serious risks and vulnerabilities.
Additionally, the figures reveal that 279 children were missing from care for over 24 hours during the five-year period, with 33 such cases recorded in the last year alone. These numbers underscore the urgent need for improved safeguarding measures and better coordination between different agencies involved in child protection.
Factors Contributing to the Crisis
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt acknowledged that the higher number of missing children in the Belfast Trust could be influenced by several factors. He pointed to the urban environment and differences in operational cultures between trusts as potential contributors. Additionally, he highlighted that periods of public holidays, such as the Twelfth of July, and times of civil unrest may also play a role in increasing the likelihood of children going missing.
Mr Nesbitt emphasized the importance of “robust safeguarding arrangements” between the Department of Health, health trusts, and other relevant agencies. One such initiative is the Regional Missing Children Oversight Group, which meets twice a year to review and address any gaps in the system. However, he noted that the department does not hold detailed information on the exact duration of each child’s absence, as this data is managed by individual health trusts.
Calls for Better Data Sharing and Accountability
Alliance MLA Michelle Guy expressed deep concern over the figures and called for further clarification on the number of children missing from education. She pointed out that the Department of Education does not currently track how many children are missing from school, and there is no data-sharing agreement in place between the Department of Education and the Department of Health. This lack of coordination, she argued, needs to be addressed urgently by both ministers.
Social worker Damien Maguire, representing NIPSA in Belfast, added that the situation is compounded by the high number of children in care—around 4,000—and the ongoing challenge of recruiting enough qualified social workers. He highlighted that the difficulties in retaining staff have led to frequent changes in social workers, making it harder for young people to build stable relationships.
Maguire also pointed to the lack of progress since the publication of a major report into child services two years ago. Led by Professor Ray Jones, the report proposed cost-effective ways to improve services, but Maguire said there has been little substantive change. He stressed that young people with complex needs often rely on social workers as their most stable support, yet the current staffing challenges are leaving them vulnerable.
Urgent Need for Systemic Change
Commissioner for Children and Young People, Chris Quinn, expressed profound concern over the figures, calling attention to the risks these children face from criminal or sexual exploitation. He urged the government and statutory agencies to prioritize understanding the underlying causes of the problem.
Quinn emphasized the key recommendations from Professor Jones’ report, including the need for better data sharing and a region-wide independent body to oversee children’s social care. He also welcomed the ongoing Children’s Social Care Reform Programme, which aims to better understand the needs of children in residential care and align with the Child Criminal Exploitation Plan.
He concluded by highlighting the importance of incorporating the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into domestic law, which he believes could have a transformative impact on vulnerable children, including those who go missing from care. For these children, whose rights are being violated, immediate action is essential.
