Implement government alerts for DBS checked individuals in missing child cases
The Issue
The thought of losing a child is the kind of fear that keeps parents up at night. Whether it’s the split second of panic on a beach or the frantic search in a crowded supermarket, the terror is real and all-consuming. As a parent of three children, I know this fear all too well. And every time I hear a news story about a missing child, that dread wells up again. Our children deserve every chance to return home safely, and we as a community should harness every available resource to make that possible.
Currently, when a child goes missing, alerts might not reach those who could make the biggest difference—the very people who are already trusted and vetted to care for children. That's why I am urging the UK government to implement a system where government alerts are sent to individuals who have undergone a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check whenever a child goes missing in their area.
DBS checked individuals include teachers, childcare providers, social workers, and other professionals who interact with children regularly. By alerting these individuals promptly, we increase the network of vigilant and trustworthy adults who can help locate missing children quickly and efficiently. This would act as a localized version of an Amber Alert, reducing the chances of alerting potential predators while maximizing the involvement of those who can be of real assistance.
Consider this: in 2022 alone, 80,000 children were reported missing in the UK. Every minute counts in such cases, yet many individuals who could assist never even hear about the missing person until it is too late. By utilising the existing government text service to communicate these alerts, we can close the gap and significantly increase the likelihood of a swift recovery.
Implementing such a system is both feasible and cost-effective. Technologies for mass communication already exist, and leveraging them in this manner can turn every professional into a pair of searching eyes, ever vigilant for missing children.
Please sign this petition to call upon the UK government to create a targeted alert system for DBS checked individuals. Together, we can make our communities safer for our children and give families hope in one of the most distressing situations they could face.
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The Issue
The thought of losing a child is the kind of fear that keeps parents up at night. Whether it’s the split second of panic on a beach or the frantic search in a crowded supermarket, the terror is real and all-consuming. As a parent of three children, I know this fear all too well. And every time I hear a news story about a missing child, that dread wells up again. Our children deserve every chance to return home safely, and we as a community should harness every available resource to make that possible.
Currently, when a child goes missing, alerts might not reach those who could make the biggest difference—the very people who are already trusted and vetted to care for children. That's why I am urging the UK government to implement a system where government alerts are sent to individuals who have undergone a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check whenever a child goes missing in their area.
DBS checked individuals include teachers, childcare providers, social workers, and other professionals who interact with children regularly. By alerting these individuals promptly, we increase the network of vigilant and trustworthy adults who can help locate missing children quickly and efficiently. This would act as a localized version of an Amber Alert, reducing the chances of alerting potential predators while maximizing the involvement of those who can be of real assistance.
Consider this: in 2022 alone, 80,000 children were reported missing in the UK. Every minute counts in such cases, yet many individuals who could assist never even hear about the missing person until it is too late. By utilising the existing government text service to communicate these alerts, we can close the gap and significantly increase the likelihood of a swift recovery.
Implementing such a system is both feasible and cost-effective. Technologies for mass communication already exist, and leveraging them in this manner can turn every professional into a pair of searching eyes, ever vigilant for missing children.
Please sign this petition to call upon the UK government to create a targeted alert system for DBS checked individuals. Together, we can make our communities safer for our children and give families hope in one of the most distressing situations they could face.
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Petition created on 20 September 2026