Young people speak out on Running Away
23 May 2006
An insight into young people’s views on running away highlights
the variety of issues that affect them in a report published today
by Dr Roger Morgan, the Children’s Rights Director for England.
Young people who had experience of running away from children’s
homes, schools or foster placements, were randomly selected to take
part in various consultation sessions.
The discussions raised harrowing details of what they
experienced when they ran away and covered some of the following
areas:
- what made them run away
- where did they run to
- what they did
- what it was like
- what dangers they faced
- what worries they had.
Overall, they spoke about three different reasons for running
away: to enjoy themselves for a while before returning; to be
somewhere or with someone they wanted to go to; or, most
importantly, because they couldn’t cope or did not feel
protected.
The dangers they faced whilst on the run ranged from stealing
for their survival to life-threatening activities. They
specifically wanted the Government to know their views on how they
should be treated by staff and by the police when they were found.
They believed that police stations should have counsellors to talk
to them about why they had run away, in case they were running from
major problems, and not treat them like criminals.
How they were treated when they returned made a big difference
to whether they were likely to do it again. Staff should listen to
them and talk about any problems they have and treat them
confidentially. Their views clearly state what questions staff need
to ask and think about in the services they provide.
They experience problems like any teenager; however, staff
should be aware of the additional problems they face as young
people in care. They need to know how to help them deal with the
different types of pressures they face.
Dr Roger Morgan commented: “If a young person runs away once,
they are likely to do it again, although they usually intend to
return anyway. However, staff and professionals need to be mindful
of the clear messages in the report. Listening and talking to solve
problems is essential. And as the young people told me – some young
people who run away never come back.”
For the full detailed report, please visit www.rights4me.org.uk
Ends
Notes to editors
- Five national groups were invited specially for the discussions
on Running Away. 10 other young people sent their views and
experiences in writing and the views of other groups that were not
at the session were added.
- The Children’s Rights Director for England, Dr Roger Morgan
OBE, is based within CSCI. He has a statutory role within the
Commission to ascertain the views of children in services the
Commission inspects about issues concerning their welfare.
- The Commission itself has a statutory duty to safeguard and
promote the welfare and rights of children. The Commission for
Social Care Inspection was created by the Health and Social Care
(Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 as the lead inspectorate
for social care in England. Its primary objective is to improve the
quality of social care, putting people who use the services at the
centre of this work.
- The Commission is responsible for the regulation of children's
homes and residential family centres across England. In line with
the regulations and national minimum standards, the Commission will
aim to assess the extent to which services secure positive welfare,
health and education outcomes for children and young people, and
reduce risks to their welfare and safety.
- The Commission began operation on 1 April 2004, replacing the
Social Services Inspectorate (SSI), the SSI/Audit Commission Joint
Review Team and the National Care Standards Commission (NCSC).