ROC ProjectROC Project((Running – Other Running – Other

Choices)Choices)SDF ConferenceSDF Conference

31 March 200531 March 2005

ResearchResearch

Aberlour Child Care Trust Aberlour Child Care Trust commissionedcommissioned

University of York to carry out research University of York to carry out research in Scotland on Young runawaysin Scotland on Young runaways

Looks at prevalence, causes and Looks at prevalence, causes and consequences as well as consequences as well as recommendationsrecommendations

Published as “Missing Out” by Aberlour Published as “Missing Out” by Aberlour in 2002 in 2002

DefinitionDefinition

“ “Running away is used here to mean any Running away is used here to mean any young person who spends time away young person who spends time away from the family home or substitute care from the family home or substitute care before the age of 16 without the before the age of 16 without the permission of their parents or carers or permission of their parents or carers or as a result of being forced to leave by as a result of being forced to leave by their parents or carers.”their parents or carers.”

““Missing Out. Young Runaways in Scotland”Missing Out. Young Runaways in Scotland”

(Wade 2001, Aberlour Child Care Trust)(Wade 2001, Aberlour Child Care Trust)

MethodologyMethodology Research carried out in 1999/2000 with Research carried out in 1999/2000 with

over 3000 young people and more than 40 over 3000 young people and more than 40 agencies in contact with runaways in six agencies in contact with runaways in six contrasting areas of Scotland.contrasting areas of Scotland.

A survey of a representative sample of A survey of a representative sample of school pupils established the prevalence of school pupils established the prevalence of running away and the characteristics, running away and the characteristics, experiences and needs of young people who experiences and needs of young people who run away. run away.

In depth interviews were also conducted In depth interviews were also conducted with 37 young people and with 42 agency with 37 young people and with 42 agency professionals in three of these areas.professionals in three of these areas.

How Many Run Away?How Many Run Away?

One in nineOne in nine children (11%) in Scotland run away or children (11%) in Scotland run away or are forced to leave home beforeare forced to leave home before the age of 16 due to the age of 16 due to difficulties in their lives.difficulties in their lives.

6000 – 7000 children6000 – 7000 children under 16 run away every year under 16 run away every year in Scotland for the first time.in Scotland for the first time.

Although most young people reported having run Although most young people reported having run away, away, one in sevenone in seven had been forced to leave before had been forced to leave before the age of 16.the age of 16.

Three quarters of the young people had run away Three quarters of the young people had run away once or twiceonce or twice

but but a quarter had run away three times or more.a quarter had run away three times or more.

Who Runs Away?Who Runs Away? No No evidence of a evidence of a significant significant

differencedifference in running away rates in running away rates between between urban, town and rural urban, town and rural areasareas in Scotland. in Scotland.

Rate of running away was slightly Rate of running away was slightly higher in poorer families in Scotland, higher in poorer families in Scotland, but the but the link between poverty and link between poverty and running away is at best indirectrunning away is at best indirect. .

Running away is mostly a teenage Running away is mostly a teenage phenomenon but around phenomenon but around one in five one in five first run away before the age of 11.first run away before the age of 11.

Who runs away?Who runs away? Females are more likely to run away than Females are more likely to run away than

males. However, males are more likely males. However, males are more likely to start running away at an earlier age. to start running away at an earlier age.

Running away rates for young people from Running away rates for young people from different different ethnic groups are broadly similar. ethnic groups are broadly similar.

Young people in substitute care are over-represented Young people in substitute care are over-represented amongst runaways in Scotland. amongst runaways in Scotland. Two fifths (40%)Two fifths (40%) of of those who had been those who had been in carein care at some point in their lives at some point in their lives had run away compared to had run away compared to 9% of those who had 9% of those who had never been accommodated.never been accommodated. However, running away However, running away was not always directly linked to young people’s was not always directly linked to young people’s experiences of being looked after nor to the quality of experiences of being looked after nor to the quality of care they received.care they received.

Why do young people run Why do young people run away?away?

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Home 78% School 25% Personal 41% Other 13%

Reasons for being awayReasons for being away

“…“…Running away, even Running away, even for a brief time, is for a brief time, is rarely undertaken rarely undertaken casually and usually casually and usually signifies that a young signifies that a young person needs some person needs some help to work through help to work through their feelings their feelings whether from family, whether from family, friends or friends or professionals.”professionals.”

The Home ContextThe Home Context

Young people are more likely to run away Young people are more likely to run away from problems they are experiencing in from problems they are experiencing in step-families (14%)step-families (14%) and and lone parent lone parent families (16%)families (16%) than is the case for those than is the case for those living with living with both birth parents (7%). both birth parents (7%).

Most commonly young people referred to Most commonly young people referred to arguments and conflictarguments and conflict, often quite , often quite persistent, with parents or step-parents as persistent, with parents or step-parents as underpinning their decision to run away, underpinning their decision to run away, conflict was a major factor for conflict was a major factor for 39%39% of the of the young people. young people.

The Home ContextThe Home Context However, However, emotional and physical emotional and physical

abuseabuse and and feelings of neglect and feelings of neglect and rejectionrejection were major reasons for almost were major reasons for almost one in five (19%)one in five (19%) of those who ran of those who ran away.away.

The need to avoid The need to avoid conflict between conflict between parentsparents or to escape or to escape parents own parents own problemsproblems (drugs/alcohol dependence, (drugs/alcohol dependence, mental health problems) was the main mental health problems) was the main reason identified by a significant reason identified by a significant minority of young people minority of young people (11%).(11%).

The School ContextThe School Context

One in four of the young people (25%) reported One in four of the young people (25%) reported that problems at school had been an ingredient that problems at school had been an ingredient in their decision to run away. Only 6% in their decision to run away. Only 6% mentioned specific school issues as a main mentioned specific school issues as a main reason for running. These included being reason for running. These included being bullied, truancy and fear of parental reaction to bullied, truancy and fear of parental reaction to trouble they had got into at school.trouble they had got into at school.

However, even if only a small minority of young However, even if only a small minority of young people run away because of problems at school, people run away because of problems at school, running away is closely associated with running away is closely associated with difficulties at school.difficulties at school.

The School ContextThe School Context

30% of runaways had been excluded 30% of runaways had been excluded from school compared to 10% of those from school compared to 10% of those who had never run away.who had never run away.

13% of runaways had often truanted 13% of runaways had often truanted compared to 2% of other young people.compared to 2% of other young people.

33% of runaways were unhappy at 33% of runaways were unhappy at school compared to 16% of those who school compared to 16% of those who had never run.had never run.

The Personal ContextThe Personal Context Young people who ran away were much more Young people who ran away were much more

likely to report feelings of depression, loneliness, likely to report feelings of depression, loneliness, worry about the future, and low self-esteem than worry about the future, and low self-esteem than were non-runaways.were non-runaways.

29% of runaways reported having problems with 29% of runaways reported having problems with drugs compared to 7% of non-runaways.drugs compared to 7% of non-runaways.

28% of runaways reported having problems with 28% of runaways reported having problems with alcohol compared to 6% of non-runaways.alcohol compared to 6% of non-runaways.

21% of runaways reported having been in trouble 21% of runaways reported having been in trouble with the police compared to 8% of non-runaways.with the police compared to 8% of non-runaways.

Life experiences comparisons for young peopleLife experiences comparisons for young people(Non-runaways + sub-groups of young runaways)(Non-runaways + sub-groups of young runaways)

Negative responses to questions 0%Negative responses to questions 0%

Never Never

run awayrun awayRun awayRun away

during the during the dayday

Run awayRun away

overnight overnight onceonce

or twiceor twice

Run away Run away overnight 3overnight 3

times or times or moremore

Family RelationshipFamily Relationship

Did not get on with parentsDid not get on with parents

Did not feel understoodDid not feel understood

Felt treated differently to Felt treated differently to siblingssiblings

33

77

1212

55

1414

2525

1313

2222

2020

2929

3636

5252

School ExperienceSchool Experience

Truant oftenTruant often

ExcludedExcluded22

9966

20201111

26262121

4040

Personal IssuesPersonal Issues

Feeling fed up/depressedFeeling fed up/depressed

Problems with drugsProblems with drugs

Problems with alcoholProblems with alcohol

Trouble with policeTrouble with police

Not feeling good about selfNot feeling good about self

2121

66

66

88

3434

3535

1515

1515

1111

4040

2828

2525

2222

1818

4545

4141

4141

4444

2828

4343

Young people’s experiences of Young people’s experiences of being awaybeing away

28% of young people slept rough while away28% of young people slept rough while away

1 in 7 young people away for 2 nights or more admitted 1 in 7 young people away for 2 nights or more admitted resorting to risky survival strategies (eg stealing, resorting to risky survival strategies (eg stealing, begging, prostitution)begging, prostitution)

1 in 6 young people experienced either physical or 1 in 6 young people experienced either physical or sexual assault when missing overnightsexual assault when missing overnight

18% of rough sleepers used risky survival strategies 18% of rough sleepers used risky survival strategies compared to 2% of those staying with friends or relativescompared to 2% of those staying with friends or relatives

37% felt frightened while away37% felt frightened while away

Young People’s Experiences Young People’s Experiences of being awayof being away

84% said being away gave them time 84% said being away gave them time to thinkto think

73% said running was a relief from 73% said running was a relief from pressurepressure

38% stayed with friends38% stayed with friends

What would have helped?What would have helped? Information about local services. Publicity Information about local services. Publicity

ought to be widely available in schools, youth ought to be widely available in schools, youth centres and other venues where young people centres and other venues where young people gather.gather.

Opportunities for advice, counselling and Opportunities for advice, counselling and family mediation prior to or at the time of family mediation prior to or at the time of running away. Help during parental running away. Help during parental separation, divorce and family reconstruction; separation, divorce and family reconstruction; support for parents with drug and alcohol support for parents with drug and alcohol problems; help to limit mistreatment by parents problems; help to limit mistreatment by parents and to resolve persistent family conflicts.and to resolve persistent family conflicts.

What would have helpedWhat would have helped School based preventative services. School based preventative services.

Suggestions included discussions about Suggestions included discussions about problems in family life, peer and problems in family life, peer and professional counselling initiatives and professional counselling initiatives and information about helpful services.information about helpful services.

Respite accommodation to prevent those Respite accommodation to prevent those under 16 who do run away from exposure to under 16 who do run away from exposure to the streets. This kind of ‘Refuge’ ought to the streets. This kind of ‘Refuge’ ought to be small, homely, well supported and offer be small, homely, well supported and offer young people the space to plan a supported young people the space to plan a supported next step.next step.

Running–Other Choices Running–Other Choices (ROC)(ROC)

Children’s Promise – Practice Manager Children’s Promise – Practice Manager and Admin supportand Admin support

Scottish Exec – Project Worker (Bi-Scottish Exec – Project Worker (Bi-Lingual)Lingual)

Greater Glasgow (NHS) Health Board- Greater Glasgow (NHS) Health Board- Mental Health Promotion WorkerMental Health Promotion Worker

Railway Children – Accommodation Railway Children – Accommodation Development Worker Development Worker

ROC (Running – Other ROC (Running – Other Choices) ProjectChoices) Project

AimAim

To assist young people to find To assist young people to find solutions to the problems that have solutions to the problems that have caused them, or may cause them, to caused them, or may cause them, to run away.run away.

ContextContext

ROC ProjectROC Project

Community based workCommunity based work

Flexible individual supportFlexible individual support

Open referral systemOpen referral system

Preventative work – (PSE curriculum)Preventative work – (PSE curriculum)

Methods of WorkMethods of Work

Building RelationshipsBuilding Relationships Setting Goals Setting Goals

ChoiceChoice

Resilience BuildingResilience Building

Emotional Support

School Issues

Advocacy

Art Therapy

Access Services

Coping Skills

Family Mediation

ROC PartnershipsROC Partnerships

Strathclyde Police “G” DivisionStrathclyde Police “G” Division Schools – preventative workSchools – preventative work Social Work Services – looked after Social Work Services – looked after

and accommodated children and and accommodated children and young peopleyoung people

Schools WorkSchools Work

PSE Lesson delivered in 4 Secondary PSE Lesson delivered in 4 Secondary Schools -approx 35 classesSchools -approx 35 classes

Help to access service – Pastoral Help to access service – Pastoral care staff, Posters, Supporting peer care staff, Posters, Supporting peer group work group work

Individual WorkIndividual Work

Referrals since March 2002 – July Referrals since March 2002 – July 2004 -1332004 -133

85% female, 35% male85% female, 35% male Age range 75% 13-15 year olds, 9% Age range 75% 13-15 year olds, 9%

under 11under 11 Referrals from Police (26%), Referrals from Police (26%),

Education (19%)Education (19%)

Social Work (18%), Self (7%)Social Work (18%), Self (7%)

Accommodation Accommodation Development WorkerDevelopment Worker

Previous Refuge models – Leeds Previous Refuge models – Leeds (The Children’s Society), London (St (The Children’s Society), London (St Christopher’s Fellowship)Christopher’s Fellowship)

Networking and building Networking and building partnershipspartnerships

Other residential modelsOther residential models Local needLocal need

Why Refuge? Why Refuge?

Children’s (Scotland) Act 1995Children’s (Scotland) Act 1995 Children’s/Young People’s Rights Children’s/Young People’s Rights Right to Protection from harmRight to Protection from harm Time and Space for young people Time and Space for young people

and families to reflect and change – and families to reflect and change – 7-14 days7-14 days

Preventative?Preventative?

ROC RefugeROC Refuge

Scottish Executive Youth Crime Scottish Executive Youth Crime Prevention Fund - £600,000 March Prevention Fund - £600,000 March 20032003

Run residential Refuge for 3 young Run residential Refuge for 3 young peoplepeople

Demonstration Project – Evaluation Demonstration Project – Evaluation Stirling UniversityStirling University

Flexible staffingFlexible staffing Railway Children – Refuge Manager Railway Children – Refuge Manager

Refuge ProvisionRefuge Provision

Opened July 2005Opened July 2005 Initial publicity through agenciesInitial publicity through agencies Shared Admission Assessment with Shared Admission Assessment with

Stand-by Social Work ServicesStand-by Social Work Services Target 12-15 year olds at risk and Target 12-15 year olds at risk and

runningrunning Refuge Protocol with Glasgow City Refuge Protocol with Glasgow City

Council and Strathclyde PoliceCouncil and Strathclyde Police

Use of RefugeUse of Refuge

Since July 2004 Refuge accessed by Since July 2004 Refuge accessed by 30 young people on 39 occasions30 young people on 39 occasions

Stay up to 7 days, extended in Stay up to 7 days, extended in exceptional circumstancesexceptional circumstances

Work with young people, families, Work with young people, families, carers and agencies mainly social carers and agencies mainly social work serviceswork services

Plans to return home safely with Plans to return home safely with support or investigate other optionssupport or investigate other options

Profile of young peopleProfile of young people

18 female and 12 males admitted18 female and 12 males admitted 10 were 15 years old, 9 were 14 10 were 15 years old, 9 were 14

years old and 8 13 years oldyears old and 8 13 years old Range of ongoing issues including Range of ongoing issues including

physical abuse, neglect, sexual physical abuse, neglect, sexual assault, self-harm, eating disorder assault, self-harm, eating disorder and parental problems (drug/alcohol and parental problems (drug/alcohol misuse and mental health problems)misuse and mental health problems)

What happens after What happens after Refuge?Refuge?

Two thirds of young people returned Two thirds of young people returned to family/extended family hometo family/extended family home

Six young people accessed Respite Six young people accessed Respite carecare

Three young people accommodated Three young people accommodated by local authorityby local authority

Young people offered Outreach Young people offered Outreach support from ROC Refuge and support from ROC Refuge and Outreach TeamOutreach Team

Further developmentsFurther developments

Have recruited 3 new contracted Have recruited 3 new contracted staff to meet demandstaff to meet demand

Launch Refuge on April 28Launch Refuge on April 28 Investigate use of Refuge foster Investigate use of Refuge foster

carerscarers