On this page: What is running away? | What does it mean if a child or young person is reported 'missing'? | Why do some children or young people run away | What could happen to a child if they run away? | What can I do to help stop it happening? | Where can I get help if I am worried about a child who might be thinking about running away or has run away?

Running away

What is running away?

Running away is when a child or young person chooses to leave home or care without permission.

The majority of young people who run away from home do so to avoid what's going on in their personal circumstances and usually see themselves as 'runaways' rather than 'missing' children or young people.

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What does it mean if a child or young person is reported 'missing'?

If a child or young person runs away and no one knows where they are, whatever the reasons for running away or 'disappearing', they will be reported as missing. They will be 'missing' until they are found and are deemed to be safe. If a child or young person stays out later than they're suppose to, but the parent(s) or carer(s) knows where they are, they will not be seen to be 'missing'.

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Why do some children or young people run away?

There can be many reasons why a child or young person feels that running away from home is the only solution to their problems. Some of these reasons might be:

They don't get on with their family
They feel unsafe at home
They have other problems outside of their home, i.e. being bullied or involved in drugs, etc.
Some children and young people run away because they are being abused, neglected or experiencing violence where they're living

There are complex issues facing Asylum Seeking Children. Information about some children's whereabouts is not always maintained due to the transient nature of their accommodation arrangements. Agencies must however be alert to the fact that some children are trafficked into, within and out of the UK for custom related reasons, to be abused and exploited for commercial gain, including through sex, for domestic servitude, etc.

For more information see 'Safeguarding Trafficked and Exploited Children, LCPC 2006 and Safeguarding Children abused through Sexual Exploitation, LPCP 2006.

Children who are missing from school may also be missing from care or home and are at risk. Education staff should follow the London Guidance of Safeguarding Children Missing from School (LCPC, 2006)

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What could happen to a child if they run away?

By running away they could put themselves in a lot of danger. Sleeping rough is in particular dangerous for young people. Below are just some of the examples of difficulties that they might face:

They could become a victim of street crime or get involved in committing crimes
Have increased health issues if they live rough
Find it hard to go home, as they might worry that they will be in trouble

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What can I do to help stop it happening?

There are a number of things you can do and some things you should not do, see www.talkdontwalk.org for more advice and information.

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Where can I get help if I am worried about a child who might be thinking about running away or has run away?

Whatever the problem, there are many organisations that can help, and it's never too later to try and sort out the situation. Getting help whilst the child or young person is still living at home is usually a better option than having him/her running away.

There are useful websites that can provide you with information:

www.talkdontwalk.org.uk or call the Talk Don't Walk Helpline on 0800 085 2136, which is open on weekdays 8.30am-4.30pm and on weekends 10am-4pm

If the child or young person feels that he/she has to get out straightaway due to his/her own safety for example someone with whom they're living is being violent or abusive towards him/her, he/she must get help immediately. If you know a young person that is in such a situation, you can:

Speak to a social worker by contacting:
Duty Team
Referral and Assessment Service
Children's Specialist Services
Welbeck House
43-51 Wandsworth High Street
London
SW18 2PU
Telephone: 020 8871 6622

Outside of normal office hours (after 5pm weekdays or on weekends): 020 8871 6000

In an emergency call the Police on telephone number 999

Call National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247

London Procedures for safeguarding children missing from care and home.

Wandsworth Safeguarding

Supporting and Protecting Todays Youth

Running away

What is running away?

What does it mean if a child or young person is reported 'missing'?

Why do some children or young people run away?

What could happen to a child if they run away?

What can I do to help stop it happening?

Where can I get help if I am worried about a child who might be thinking about running away or has run away?

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About Us Contact Us Policies and Procedures Resources Training		On this page: What is running away? \| What does it mean if a child or young person is reported 'missing'? \| Why do some children or young people run away \| What could happen to a child if they run away? \| What can I do to help stop it happening? \| Where can I get help if I am worried about a child who might be thinking about running away or has run away? Running away What is running away? Running away is when a child or young person chooses to leave home or care without permission. The majority of young people who run away from home do so to avoid what's going on in their personal circumstances and usually see themselves as 'runaways' rather than 'missing' children or young people. Top of page What does it mean if a child or young person is reported 'missing'? If a child or young person runs away and no one knows where they are, whatever the reasons for running away or 'disappearing', they will be reported as missing. They will be 'missing' until they are found and are deemed to be safe. If a child or young person stays out later than they're suppose to, but the parent(s) or carer(s) knows where they are, they will not be seen to be 'missing'. Top of page Why do some children or young people run away? There can be many reasons why a child or young person feels that running away from home is the only solution to their problems. Some of these reasons might be: They don't get on with their family They feel unsafe at home They have other problems outside of their home, i.e. being bullied or involved in drugs, etc. Some children and young people run away because they are being abused, neglected or experiencing violence where they're living There are complex issues facing Asylum Seeking Children. Information about some children's whereabouts is not always maintained due to the transient nature of their accommodation arrangements. Agencies must however be alert to the fact that some children are trafficked into, within and out of the UK for custom related reasons, to be abused and exploited for commercial gain, including through sex, for domestic servitude, etc. For more information see 'Safeguarding Trafficked and Exploited Children, LCPC 2006 and Safeguarding Children abused through Sexual Exploitation, LPCP 2006. Children who are missing from school may also be missing from care or home and are at risk. Education staff should follow the London Guidance of Safeguarding Children Missing from School (LCPC, 2006) Top of page What could happen to a child if they run away? By running away they could put themselves in a lot of danger. Sleeping rough is in particular dangerous for young people. Below are just some of the examples of difficulties that they might face: They could become a victim of street crime or get involved in committing crimes Have increased health issues if they live rough Find it hard to go home, as they might worry that they will be in trouble Top of page What can I do to help stop it happening? There are a number of things you can do and some things you should not do, see www.talkdontwalk.org for more advice and information. Top of page Where can I get help if I am worried about a child who might be thinking about running away or has run away? Whatever the problem, there are many organisations that can help, and it's never too later to try and sort out the situation. Getting help whilst the child or young person is still living at home is usually a better option than having him/her running away. There are useful websites that can provide you with information: www.talkdontwalk.org.uk or call the Talk Don't Walk Helpline on 0800 085 2136, which is open on weekdays 8.30am-4.30pm and on weekends 10am-4pm If the child or young person feels that he/she has to get out straightaway due to his/her own safety for example someone with whom they're living is being violent or abusive towards him/her, he/she must get help immediately. If you know a young person that is in such a situation, you can: Speak to a social worker by contacting: Duty Team Referral and Assessment Service Children's Specialist Services Welbeck House 43-51 Wandsworth High Street London SW18 2PU Telephone: 020 8871 6622 Outside of normal office hours (after 5pm weekdays or on weekends): 020 8871 6000 In an emergency call the Police on telephone number 999 Call National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247 London Procedures for safeguarding children missing from care and home.