When you make an enquiry of the SafetyNET database SafetyNET may not return the information you are expecting. Sometimes SafetyNET will tell you that you have found too many records and other times it may appear as if SafetyNET does not have a record for the child or young person you are looking for.
Before you throw in the towel (or do something nasty to your computer), try some of these tips. Using the techniques below you can often locate records that previously you felt were missing.

Have a look at the: How to search on SafetyNET flow chart

Tip 1: Search by first and Last Name Only
This will be successful in 95% of cases.
SafetyNET allows a maximum number or 12 names to be returned after a search so unless you are searching for "John Smith" or another very common name you are likely to find your child on this initial search. If you get too many results (over 12) then add Date of Birth to narrow the search.

Tip 2: Less is more.
The information you have about a child might not all be correct. Or it might not match the details SafetyNET holds about a child. The more details you add to your search, the more chance there is that SafetyNET will not return a positive match. Always use the minimum amount of detail when making a search. Even the DOB you have may not match what SafetNET has so only use it where necessary.

Tip 3: No Results? Don't Panic!
If a first and last name search fails to find any results, don't panic.

• Check you didn't swap surname and forename in the wrong boxes. It's easily done!
• Check the spelling. If you are certain of the last name but not sure about the first name you could use a wildcard to substitute Jo* for Jonathon or variants, for instance. The star/asterisk symbol (Shift 8 on your keyboard) replaces the rest of the name and will return all names that start with "Jo" Alternatively substitute a wildcard for part of the last name.
  Wild card searches will tend to return more results so its a good idea to add the Date of Bith as well.
• Try a last name (or first name) and Date of Birth search. Sometimes children are known by different names.

Tip 4: Tried eveything? What next?
If you have tried the tips above you should submit a missing child e-request from within SafetyNET. These will be dealt with by a safetyNET administrator and you will be contacted within SafetyNET with the outcome.
Please note that 9/10 of the notifications we receive are, in fact, about children that are on the system.