GUARD-UP

FAQs

Call the hotline if you are a:

child who is missing from home / care or a child who is thinking of leaving home / care
parent or carer of a missing child
child, young person, or adult who has information about a missing child

Make a report to the police if you know of a child who has gone missing. This can be done by anybody, not just the parents or carers. You may also call the 116 000 hotline for support, advice, and to share valuable information about a missing child.

Who answers the calls?

Professionally trained Hotline Operators.

The 116 000 hotline is not available in my country, who can I contact instead?

Always contact your national police to report a missing child or to share information relating to a missing child.

Other national hotlines or children’s organisations are available in your country, you can find this online.

Who can call the 116 000 hotline?

Everyone. Children, young people, parents or carers, families, and third party adults.

If you know about a missing child or if you know of a child at risk of going missing, the 116 000 hotline will be able to support you.

What information am I required to give when I call the 116 000 hotline?

You will be asked for details related to the missing child and their circumstances.

The more information provided the more help this will be for the protection of the child.

GUARD-UP

Project’s objective: The GUARD-UP project aims to enhance the guardianship systems for unaccompanied migrant children in Greece, Italy, Poland, Cyprus, Croatia, and Belgium. By empowering guardians and stakeholders, we will foster the exchange of best practices and facilitate knowledge-sharing among key actors. This initiative will also create a dynamic network, enabling guardians to connect and collaborate with their peers. Ultimately, this project seeks to build a brighter, safer future for unaccompanied migrant children, who stand to benefit most from these improvements.

Target groups:

Guardians of unaccompanied migrant children;
Stakeholders involved in unaccompanied migrant children’s care, protection, and support, including government agencies, NGOs, community organizations, legal staff, mental health professionals, local authorities, education providers, and other civil society organizations;
Unaccompanied migrant children themselves are at the heart of GUARD-UP, as both a key focus and the ultimate beneficiaries of our efforts.

Methodology: The project methodology begins with an analysis of existing guardianship arrangements in Greece, Italy, Poland, Cyprus, Croatia, and Belgium to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement, and to exchange best practices. The initiative will build the capacity of 200 stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, community organizations, legal staff, mental health professionals, local authorities, and education providers. Additionally, training support will be provided to 100 appointed and prospective guardians of unaccompanied migrant children. To foster collaboration and peer support, an online network will be created for guardians to share their experiences and connect with others in similar situations. Lastly, the project aims to increase awareness related to guardianship by informing at least 1,000 individuals.

Resources

National Action Plan – Belgium

Good Practices Guide (Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, & Poland)

Contact person

Alyona Samar

Project Officer and Project Lead for GUARD-UP

Project Flyers

Partners

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.