Runaways
The terms 'young runaway' and 'missing' in this context refer to children and young people up to the age of 18 who have run away from their home or care placement, have been forced to leave, or whose whereabouts are unknown.
The Children's Society has led the campaign to improve safeguarding for children at risk on the streets for over 25 years, from our initial practice development working with young runaways in the 1980s, to opening the first refuge for under 16s in the UK, to our work with sexually exploited children and young people.
We have also led the research, lobbying and campaigning agenda through pioneer research such as Still Running (1999 and 2005) and our influential Safe and Sound campaign in 2005. In our Stepping Up report (2007), we proposed a national safety net for young runaways after consultation with local authorities, police and voluntary sector. The government responded by publishing the Young Runaways Action Plan in 2008.
The Children's Society currently chairs the English Coalition for Runaway Children, a coalition of agencies working to safeguard young runaways. We also play a key role as part of the National Working Group on Sexual Exploitation.
Our priority is to ensure all children who runaway from home or care are protected and have their needs met. We are working with the Government to ensure that children at risk on the streets are prioritised within its policy development on child protection and youth support.