Glossary: Unauthorised Absence

Children are Absent without Authority (Unauthorised Absence) when they absent themselves from care. Often their whereabouts are known, they may be late, have left to cool off or they may be testing boundaries.

It is not usually necessary to report such absences to the Police and others (e.g. social worker) unless there is a level of risk to the child or others.

(Definition provided by tri.x)