St Christopher's and Children's Society urge help for runaways

21 May 2007

Representatives from St Christopher’s London Refuge for Runaway Children joined forces with the Children’s Society at a conference in London on Friday to call for a national strategy to help support the 100,000 children who run away from home every year.

The charities highlighted the need for a network of crisis accommodation, and measures to help tackle children's problems at home.

They also pointed out that local provision is patchy, and urged the government to take responsibility for runaways' safety.

One in six runaways ends up sleeping rough, putting themselves at risk of violence and sexual assault. The conference warned that of these very vulnerable children, nearly seven in 10 are not even reported missing.

Shockingly, the London Refuge for Runaway Children is still the only one of its kind in England.

The conference recommendations include

• a national coordinated strategy for runaways
• the provision of safe emergency accommodation for under-16s
• local authorities to provide guidance for young runaways
• welfare interviews and support for children who return home.