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Plans to support young runaways Plans to support young runaways
(about 7 hours later)
Plans for a national support network for children who run away from home or care in England are to be announced by ministers later. A new cross-government working group to focus on ways of helping children who run away from home or care in England has been announced by ministers.
A series of refuges, as well as training for police and council workers, are expected to be proposed. The group will develop a runaways action plan, review emergency housing and assess how data is collected.
Some 86,000 under-16s go missing in England every year, with girls aged 14 and 15 the most likely to disappear.Some 86,000 under-16s go missing in England every year, with girls aged 14 and 15 the most likely to disappear.
The Children's Society, which has led a 20-year campaign for runaway safe houses, welcomed the plans.The Children's Society, which has led a 20-year campaign for runaway safe houses, welcomed the plans.
ExploitationExploitation
New research by the charity suggests most runaway children flee home or care because of family conflict, neglect or abuse. The announcement is in response to a report on runaways that was produced by the Children's Society at the request of the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCfS).
The charity's research suggests most runaway children flee home or care because of family conflict, neglect or abuse.
New agenda for runaways Action plan on young runaways - by June 2008Emergency accommodation review - by summer 2008Review of "Missing from Home and Care" guidance - by end of 2009Consider data collection methods - by autumn 2008
They are often forced to sleep rough or with strangers, and risk sexual exploitation, violence and getting into drugs, it suggested.They are often forced to sleep rough or with strangers, and risk sexual exploitation, violence and getting into drugs, it suggested.
We can now finally say that these children are a priority in our society Bob ReitemeierChildren's Society
However, the study also found that only 12% of local authorities had services targeted at helping runaways.However, the study also found that only 12% of local authorities had services targeted at helping runaways.
A total of 10 out of 27 police forces surveyed said many young people had to sleep in police stations because there was nowhere else for them to go.A total of 10 out of 27 police forces surveyed said many young people had to sleep in police stations because there was nowhere else for them to go.
To tackle the problem, Children's Secretary Ed Balls is expected to announce plans for a network of safe places for runaway children - including a review of how local authorities can provide such emergency accommodation. The government wants all agencies to work together to prevent young people from wanting to run away in the first place.
There will also be guidance for councils on how to deal with the needs of runaway children and training for police and council workers who support them. From 2009, the government will also include a new measure of the number of young runaways in the National Indicator Set.
'Not forgotten' We feel strongly that this is a giant step in the right direction and look forward to a time when all runaways under 16 will have somewhere safe to go Andy McCullough English Coalition for Young Runaways
Bob Reitemeier, the Children's Society's chief executive, described the plans as "fantastic news".Bob Reitemeier, the Children's Society's chief executive, described the plans as "fantastic news".
"We can now finally say that these children are a priority in our society," he said."We can now finally say that these children are a priority in our society," he said.
"We look forward to helping design a national network of safe accommodation and preventative measures that will ensure the childhoods of young runaways are protected and not forgotten.""We look forward to helping design a national network of safe accommodation and preventative measures that will ensure the childhoods of young runaways are protected and not forgotten."
Andy McCullough, chair of the English Coalition for Young Runaways, also welcomed the government's announcement.Andy McCullough, chair of the English Coalition for Young Runaways, also welcomed the government's announcement.
"We feel strongly that this is a giant step in the right direction and look forward to a time when all runaways under 16 will have somewhere safe to go," he said."We feel strongly that this is a giant step in the right direction and look forward to a time when all runaways under 16 will have somewhere safe to go," he said.