How could a vulnerable child with learning difficulties disappear from the mental health hospital that was supposed to be taking care of him?

Wandsworth Times:

Safe and well: The boy was found at Ealing Broadway Station 

A 14-year-old boy went missing from Springfield Hospital, Tooting, for two days and two nights before he was found at Ealing Broadway station.

The boy, who police said had no money or means of travel, made the 10-mile journey between 5pm on Tuesday and 8pm on Thursday last week.

He was found safe and well by British Transport Police, but not before a widescale police search.

The boy was taking part in an escorted walk in the grounds with two members of staff when he ran away.

The NHS trust said the walk was planned, risk assessed and part of his treatment.

Dr Emma Whicher, medical director at South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust, said: "[The staff] pursued him and following a thorough search of the grounds the police were notified immediately. He was found safe and well on Thursday, February 26."

The events have been escalated to the CCG serious incident lead and NHS England.

The trust has launched an investigation into events, which will be shared with NHS England and partner agencies.

Throughout the period he was missing the Metropolitan Police issued multiple appeals to find the boy, who struggles to communicate with people.

On Thursday evening police urged people to check sheds, outbuildings and open areas as they grew increasingly concerned, having had no confirmed sightings.

They urged the public to look out for the young teen, who needed his medication, and they thought he might seek shelter from the bad weather.

Dr Whicher added: "The trust has sophisticated security systems and a thorough serious incident escalation process in place that are used immediately in circumstances such as these.

"Incidents like these are rare, however we are not complacent and our safeguarding and serious incident procedures and processes are kept under continuous review."