Government launches Young Runaways Action Plan

The government minister for young people, Kevin Brennan, has launched a code of practice which specifies precisely how Local Authorities must gather information about young people who run away from home or care, and what services should be available to help.

He set out clear expectations regarding the level of service and support that local agencies should be providing for young runaways. In particular they should:

• Identify those at risk of running away as part of their targeted youth support arrangements;
• Have arrangements in place to help young people who have run away, particularly out of hours, keeping them safe and off the streets;
• Conduct a return interview for every young person, identifying and addressing their reasons for running away;
• Work closely with the voluntary sector, clearly defining roles and responsibilities and ensure there is support for young people that spans across local area borders;
• Evaluate the local need for and provision of emergency accommodation for young runaways;
• Gather information on running away to inform the level of support locally, and to support the new national indicator.

Kevin Brennan also announced that 10 local authorities would get a share of almost £5 million to help children stay in care beyond the age of 18. The Staying Put pilots which will be set up in Bristol; Cheshire; Dorset; Lincolnshire; Merton; Northamptonshire; North Tyneside; North Yorkshire; Warwickshire and York, will give children in care the chance to benefit from a stable family placement so that they only move to independent living when they feel properly prepared and ready. This will allow children in care to make the transition to adulthood in a more gradual way, just like other young people who rely on their families for this type of support.

Cick here to download the Young Runaways Action Plan in PDF format