If you find a lost child, read below to find out what you should do

• Crouch down to the child's height and show them your name badge if you have one, if you are a parent, explain that you are a parent and that you are going to help them find someone who works at the environment you are in.
• carry out a quick search of the immediate area with the child. Most of the time the lost children are near their family, but they just can't see them
• if you can't find them, notify security and/or customer service desk and use the public address system if available
• before handing achild over, confirm the identity of anyone claiming them and make sure that the child can identify them. Do not release the child to anyone under 16. If in doubt, ring the police
• if the child is not collected or claimed soon, take them to a safe place and ensure a member of staff stays with them at all times - preferably the person who found them initially. (this avoids confusing the distressed child)
• inform the police and security staff, giving us much detail as possible.

Please email us at:contributions@forparentsbyparents.co.uk