For many families and carers, one of the most worrying possibilities is that a loved one may go missing. This can happen for many reasons, and some people are more at risk than others — including people living with dementia, people experiencing mental health difficulties, vulnerable adults, and some children and young people. Planning ahead cannot remove that worry entirely, but it can make a real difference if urgent help is ever needed.

At The Bobby Scheme, we work to improve the safety, confidence and independence of older, vulnerable and disabled people across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. That is why prevention, reassurance and practical planning matter so much. When families, carers and support networks take simple steps in advance, they are often better prepared to respond quickly and calmly if someone becomes missing.

Why planning ahead matters

The official advice from Cambridgeshire Constabulary encourages people to plan ahead if they support someone who may be at risk of going missing. The reason is simple: if important information has already been gathered, it can be passed to police quickly at the very start of a search. That can save valuable time and help officers understand the person’s needs, habits and likely movements more clearly.

Planning ahead might include keeping up-to-date details about the person’s daily routines, places they like to visit, people they know, any health concerns, and anything that may affect how they respond when distressed or confused. Families often already hold this knowledge, but putting it in one place before a crisis arises can make it far easier to share when it matters most. This kind of preparation can also help reduce panic for carers and relatives, because there is already a plan to follow.

A particularly important issue for people living with dementia

For many households, dementia brings an added concern around confusion, disorientation and wandering. A person may set out with a clear intention in mind, then lose track of where they are going or how to get home. In those situations, having clear, accurate background information ready can be incredibly helpful.

Cambridgeshire Police highlights the Herbert Protocol as a valuable planning tool for people who care for someone with dementia, whether they live at home or in a care setting. The Herbert Protocol is designed to gather helpful information in advance — such as personal details, routines, habits, past experiences and places that may be familiar to the person. If they go missing, that information can be given to police straight away to support the search.

Small steps that can help families and carers feel more prepared

Although every situation is different, there are some simple, practical steps that many carers may find helpful. Keeping recent information together, making sure other trusted relatives or support workers know where it is, and thinking through who should be contacted first can all make the response more organised if someone disappears. It may also help to talk gently and regularly with the person you support about routines, safe places and who they can turn to if they become lost or confused.

Just as importantly, carers should remember they are not expected to manage these worries alone. The police page also signposts support from Missing People, a charity offering advice both when someone is at risk of going missing and when a person has gone missing before and may do so again. Making use of trusted support can help reduce isolation and give families more confidence in what to do next.

When someone returns home

The emotional impact does not necessarily end when a person is found or returns. Cambridgeshire Police also provides guidance on what to do next, how to support the person, and how carers and loved ones can look after themselves afterwards. That reminder is important. Relief, exhaustion, confusion and distress can all follow a missing episode, and compassionate support matters for everyone involved.

A shared commitment to safety and reassurance

At The Bobby Scheme, we know that feeling safe is about more than locks and bolts. It is also about confidence, preparation and knowing where to turn for trusted advice. If you support someone who may be vulnerable, taking time to plan ahead is a positive and practical step. It does not mean expecting the worst — it means being ready to protect someone’s wellbeing if they need help.

For the full official guidance, including advice on vulnerable people at risk of going missing, dementia support and the Herbert Protocol, visit the Cambridgeshire Constabulary page here.