Managing Risky Behaviour: County Lines, Missing and Curfews

Young people in foster care can be targeted by people who want to exploit them—especially through county lines, online grooming, and risky peer groups. Carers often tell us the hardest moments are when a child starts going missing, pushes back against boundaries, or resists coming home on time. This guide brings together what works in UK practice so you can spot early warning signs, act quickly and proportionately, and build a plan—with the young person—that actually keeps them safe.

Spotting the early signs of county lines and exploitation

What county lines looks like day-to-day

“County lines” describes criminal networks moving drugs and money between areas using a “deal line” phone and often exploiting children to carry or store items. Warning signs include multiple phones, unexplained cash or new clothes, sudden absences, long trips to unfamiliar towns, older “friends,” and a shift in language or secrecy around social media. Young people may be asked to stay out overnight, “hold” items, or travel at short notice. Trust your instincts: small changes that cluster together can be an early indicator of grooming and control.

Why some children are more at risk

Children facing school exclusion, delays in SEN support, unstable housing, or previous trauma are at higher risk of criminal exploitation because exploiters promise money, belonging, or “protection.” National reporting has highlighted how pressure points in SEND provision can increase vulnerability, particularly for teens spending more time outside school without adequate supervision or support.

First actions if you’re worried

Act fast and record what you see (dates, times, messages, names, travel), share concerns with your supervising social worker, and call police on 101 (or 999 in an emergency). If you suspect child criminal exploitation (CCE) or trafficking, ask the social worker about a National Referral Mechanism (NRM) referral—this can unlock safeguarding support and is relevant evidence if the young person is pressured into criminality. Keep the young person involved; being transparent helps rebuild trust.

When a child goes missing: what to do in the first hours

Understand definitions and risk levels

Across UK policing, a “missing person” is anyone whose whereabouts cannot be established and whose well-being may be at risk. Forces assess risk and will update you on the response; recent guidance language now refers to “very low risk” rather than “no apparent risk,” but if exploitation is a concern, make that explicit so risk is graded appropriately. Share any county-lines indicators you have.

Practical checklist for carers

• Immediate call to police with the child’s name/age, last sighting, clothing, known associates, addresses, phone numbers/handles, and any health needs.
• Search safely (home, local routes, friends), keep your phone on, and capture any relevant messages or missed calls.
• Update the social worker and your agency out-of-hours line; agree who is contacting who to avoid duplication.
• Note triggers (arguments, debts, threats, online conflicts) to help police assessment.
• When contact is made, encourage the young person to share location and agree a safe way home (lift, safe public place).

Document every step; these notes support the return conversation and any safeguarding action that follows. (Definition and practice based on national policing policy and local force procedures.)

Return Home Interview (within 72 hours)

When a child returns, they should be offered an independent Return Home Interview (RHI) within 72 hours. The RHI explores why they went missing, what happened, whether harm occurred, and what needs to change to reduce repeat episodes. Carers help by sharing factual logs and then supporting any actions agreed (e.g., safer travel routes, changes to contact, school support).

Curfews and boundaries: what’s reasonable and lawful

Everyday boundaries vs deprivation of liberty

Carers can set age-appropriate boundaries (agreed return times, phone check-ins, safe routes) as part of the care plan and your safer caring policy. But restrictive measures (e.g., locking doors, constant supervision, enforced seclusion) may amount to deprivation of liberty (DoL) and require court authorisation. If risk escalates and ordinary boundaries aren’t enough, the social worker may seek a DoL order that clearly sets out any necessary restrictions and the plan to reduce them over time.

Make curfews collaborative—not punitive

Curfews work best when they’re co-designed: agree the time windows, transport options, who to call if running late, and what happens if plans change. Put this in the safer caring plan and review regularly as trust grows or risks change. This keeps boundaries proportionate and centred on the child’s welfare, in line with statutory guidance for care planning.

If boundaries repeatedly fail

Escalating risk (e.g., overnight absences, suspected coercion, cash/drugs, injuries) warrants a multi-agency review with police, education, health and your agency. Explore DoL only where strictly necessary and time-limited; the goal is always to stabilise and step down restrictions as safety improves.

Build a safety plan that actually works

Map people, places and platforms

Use a contextual safeguarding lens: risk often sits outside the home (peer groups, parks, transport routes, malls, certain social media features). Map the people (influencers, groomers, safer friends), places (bus routes, trap houses, hotspots), and platforms (apps, group chats) involved; then change the contexts—not just the child’s behaviour (e.g., safer pickup points, school timetable tweaks, local hotspot patrols).

Travel and phone safety tweaks

Agree default routes, safe meeting spots, codewords, and how to handle “come now” messages. Consider travel cards instead of cash, location-sharing by consent, and clear rules for unknown numbers or sudden group chat invites. Keep boundaries realistic; incremental gains are better than big promises that collapse under peer pressure. (Principles aligned to safer caring practice.)

Link school support to the plan

Tell the Virtual School and designated safeguarding lead about risks. Practical adjustments (later start after a long night, protected spaces at break, supervised exits, mentoring) reduce opportunities for exploiters on the school run or outside gates. Where learning needs are unmet, push for the right support—gaps in SEN provision can increase vulnerability.

Work with police and services—early and often

Use the Serious Violence Duty partnerships

Local areas now have a statutory duty to work together to prevent serious violence. That means information-sharing on hotspots, joint problem-solving, and targeted interventions. Ask your social worker how your area applies the Serious Violence Duty and how carers can feed intelligence safely (e.g., patterns around a local takeaway, bus stop, or retail park).

When to request an NRM referral

If you suspect criminal exploitation (coercion, debt bondage, movement between towns, threats), discuss an NRM referral with the social worker. The NRM is evidence-relevant and brings specialist support; current statistics show referrals are rising, reflecting how widespread exploitation has become.

Evidence and recording that helps

Use factual language—who, what, when, where; copy message screenshots; note cash, injuries, trips, names, vehicles, and addresses mentioned. Good records strengthen police safeguarding work and support decisions at strategy meetings or court. (Standards reflected in national missing-person guidance and fostering safer-caring practice.)

Support for the child—and for you

Therapeutic responses

Exploited children often feel shame or loyalty conflicts. Trauma-informed approaches (PACE, co-regulation, predictable routines) with access to counselling or creative therapies can rebuild agency and attachment. Carers should expect meaningful supervision, debriefs after missing episodes, and top-up training focused on exploitation patterns and online safety. (Practice advice for carers emphasises balancing risk with normal family life.)

Keep your safer caring plan alive

A living safer caring plan—updated after each missing episode or incident—protects the child and your household. Revisit bathroom/bedroom rules, visitors, sleepovers, and social media ground rules. Align curfews and check-ins with the plan and log any changes agreed at reviews. (Draws on statutory fostering and safer-caring guidance.)

Quick template: Missing Episode Plan (copy & adapt)

1) Key risks now: suspected CCE, debt, older peer group, online threats.
2) Early-warning signs: sudden calls, changed clothes, agitation after messages, requests for cash.
3) Agreed boundaries: weekday/weekend return times; check-in calls; safe pickup points.
4) Safe travel plan: default bus routes; no cash—travel card only; codeword for help.
5) Contacts & escalation: who calls police; who updates school/agency; who collects at night.
6) If child is late: 15 mins—call/message; 30 mins—contact friends; 45–60 mins—report missing (earlier if exploiters are involved).
7) On return: food/shower, sleep if needed, no interrogation; book RHI; update safer caring plan.

The bottom line

• Early patterns matter. Small changes cluster—act on them.
• Missing episodes are safeguarding alerts, not “bad behaviour.” Treat each one as new intelligence for the plan and request an RHI within 72 hours.
• Boundaries must be proportionate. Everyday curfews are fine when agreed and reviewed; DoL-level restrictions need a court order and a clear plan to step down.
• Exploiters adapt—so should we. Use contextual safeguarding to change risky contexts, not just the child’s routines.
• You’re not alone. The Serious Violence Duty expects agencies to work together—use that partnership.