Plymouth Young Runaways

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A series of reports on issues facing children today

casenotes
ChildLine
Calls to ChildLine about running away
and homelessness
Key findings
In 2006/07, 2,304 children and young
people called ChildLine to talk specifically
about running away. A third mentioned
physical abuse.
The most common reason given for
running away was the inability to get along
with parents or carers.
Sixty-five per cent (1,507) of calls about
running away were from girls and 35 per
cent (797) were from boys.
About one in eight children (12 per cent)
calling ChildLine in 2006/07 about
running away was under the age of 12.
The most common ages for calls about
running away were 14 and 15.
Many teenagers said they had run away
because of disagreements with their
parents over boundaries and rules.
In 2006/07, 2,724 children and young
people called ChildLine to speak about
homelessness. Around half said they had
been thrown out by their parents or carers.
Sixty-five per cent (1,759) of calls about
homelessness were from girls and 35 per
cent (965) were from boys. They very
often spoke of bad parenting.
Young people calling about homelessness
were, on average, older than those who
called about other problems, including
running away.
In the majority of calls about homelessness,
young people spoke about their parents’
inability to control their tempers.
1.Evidence: what
children tell ChildLine
1.1 Definitions
Runaways
under 18 who absent themselves from
home or substitute care without the
permission of parents or legal guardians, or
who are forced to leave their home. Most
young people under 16 who run away only
do so once or twice, and spend just a night
away from home. However, around 15 per
cent are repeat runaways who run away
more than three times, and one in seven is
a long-stay runaway who spends a week or
more away from home. Some of these
children are particularly vulnerable;
approximately 20,000 runaways a year
(around a quarter of all runaways) are
under the age of 11.
By the age of 16, one in nine young people
has run away from home. Over the course
of a year this amounts to around 129,000
overnight runaway incidents in the UK,
involving 77,000 under 16-year-olds
Young runaways come from a variety
of backgrounds, but certain factors
have an impact on their likelihood of
running away, including family
background, poverty, living in care
and detachment from school.
According to ChildLine’s caller record
system, young people are classified as
are children and young people1.
homeless
somewhere to live, or under 16 and
have been thrown out of their home
and do not have somewhere else
to stay.
if they are over 16 without
2.Calls about running
away: statistics
Since ChildLine was founded in 1986, more
than 34,000 children and young people
(34,906) have called the helpline to talk
about running away – enough children to fill
more than 1,200 classrooms. This figure
includes young people who have run away
and those who ring to say that they are
thinking of running away.
In 2006/07, over 2,000 children and young
people (2,304) called ChildLine to talk
specifically about running away. Of these
callers, 65 per cent (1,507) were girls and
35 per cent (797) were boys. An additional
2,061 (1,503 girls and 558 boys) called
primarily to talk about another problem, but
also mentioned running away; thus a total of
4,365 children and young people spoke to
ChildLine in 2006/07 about running away.
2.1 Age
About one in eight children (12 per cent)
calling ChildLine in 2006/07 about running
away was under the age of 12. Most young
people calling about running away were
12–15 (74 per cent), with 14 and 15 being
the most common ages for these calls.
2.2 Gender differences
Boys appear more likely to call about running
away than they are to call about most other
issues ChildLine hears about. Although
males accounted for 32 per cent of all calls
to ChildLine in 2006/07 (52,423 callers out
of a total of 165,780), they accounted for
35 per cent of calls about running away.
2
www.childline.org.uk
Whe
rre age giiven Giirrlls % Boys % Tottall %
5–11 years 148 11 108 15 256 12
12–15 years 1,010 74 522 73 1,532 74
16–18 years 211 15 85 12 296 14
Total where age given 1,369 715 2,084
2.3 Calls to ChildLine about running away,
April 2006 – March 2007
Chi ldLine
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Running away and homelessness
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www.childline.org.uk
3.Calls about
homelessness:
statistics
ChildLine began keeping records of calls
about homelessness in 1991. Since then,
21,482 children and young people have
called the helpline about homelessness –
enough to fill 750 classrooms.
In ChildLine’s caller record system, young
people are classified as homeless if they
are over 16 without somewhere to live, or
under 16 and have been thrown out of
their home and do not have somewhere
else to stay. In 2006/07, more than 2,700
children and young people (2,724) called
ChildLine to speak about homelessness.
Sixty-five per cent (1,759) were girls and
35 per cent (905) were boys. An additional
904 children and young people (611 girls
and 293 boys) called ChildLine to talk
about another problem, but also
mentioned homelessness. In total, more
than 3,500 children and young people
(3,628) spoke to ChildLine in 2006/07
about homelessness.
3.1 Age
Young people calling about homelessness
were, on average, older than those who
called about other problems, including
running away. Whereas only 20 per cent
of all ChildLine callers in 2006/07 (among
young people who stated their age) were
16–18, 49 per cent of those calling about
homelessness were in this age range.
3.2 Gender
Boys appear more likely to call about
homelessness than they are to call about
most other issues ChildLine hears about.
Although males accounted for 32 per
cent of all calls to ChildLine in 2006/07,
they accounted for 35 per cent of calls
about homelessness.
Whe
rre age giiven Giirrlls % Boys % Tottall %
5–11 years 100 6 62 7 162 6
12–15 years 782 47 370 41 1,152 45
16–18 years 766 46 476 52 1,242 49
Total where age given 1,648 908 2,556
3.3 Calls to ChildLine about homelessness,
April 2006 – March 2007
Chi ldLine
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Running away and homelessness
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www.childline.org.uk
4. Key issues:
running away
4.1 Triggers/why children and young
people run away
In calls to ChildLine, young people speak
of a variety of events that trigger their
running away. By and large, these
triggers can be divided into two areas:
family problems and personal problems.
Family problems
These include abuse, neglect, and
regular conflict.
Abuse in the family
A third (33 per cent) of young people
calling about running away mentioned
physical abuse. For example, 12-year-old
Marc said: “Mum’s been slapping me and
throwing me around, so I’ve run away.
But I don’t have anywhere to go.”
Arguments with parents
The most frequently cited reason for
running away was an inability to get
along with parents/carers. In almost all
such cases, young people said that they
were leaving because of frequent,
intense arguments with parents, rather
than because of one episode. For
example, 14-year-old Samantha said:
“I hate my dad. I can’t stand being in
the same house with him, so I’ve left.”
Boundaries and rules
Many teenage callers said that they had
run away because of disagreements with
their parents over boundaries and rules.
For example, 14-year-old Jasmine said:
“I stayed out last night until one. When
I came back, Dad wouldn’t stop
shouting at me, so I left. He thinks I’m
still a little kid.”
In some cases, a conflict over
boundaries led to physical violence.
For instance, 13-year-old Dwight said:
“Mum caught me smoking cannabis
and started hitting me. I’m scared
she’ll do it again if I go back home.
Can you help me find somewhere else
to go?”
Personal problems
While family conflict was the most
frequently cited reason for running away,
some young people spoke of personal
problems that precipitated or contributed
to conflict and running away.
Pregnancy
Forty callers (38 girls and two boys)
called about running away and also
mentioned pregnancy. For most of these
callers, getting pregnant had led to being
rejected by their parents, or led to an
overwhelming fear of being punished.
“Yesterday I found out I’m pregnant,”
said 14-year-old Natalie. “My parents will
kill me, so I’ve left. I’m sad and lonely,
but can’t go home. Right now I’m in a
bus shelter.”
Getting into trouble
Some young people, such as
14-year-old Ashley, spoke about
breaking the law or otherwise getting
into trouble, and then running away after
their parents reacted strongly. She said:
“I took money out of Mum’s account.
When she caught me she slapped me
in the face and I left. I want to go
into care.”
In most cases, where the young person
mentioned bad behaviour on their own
part, they expressed a mixture of
contrition and fear, and were often clear
that, regardless of their behaviour, they
had a far from ideal home life because
of a violent parent, for example. “Mum
and I were arguing over the trouble I get
into,” said 12-year-old Danni. “So I left. I
know my friends are a bad influence,
but I get sick of my mum yelling at me
and hitting me. My auntie says I could
be a good kid if I only let myself. I’m not
sure what to do tomorrow – I don’t
want to go home and get hit again.”
Emotional health issues
Some young people felt that they were
largely at fault for their problems at
home, and expressed regret over their
behaviour or inability to control their
temper. A number of these callers
spoke of not feeling in control of their
Chi ldLine
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Running away and homelessness
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www.childline.org.uk
moods, emotions and actions. “I’ve
run away,” said 15-year-old Lily. “I’m at
a friend’s house now. I had a terrible
row with Mum. She thinks I need
anti-depressants – I think maybe she’s
right. I want to apologise.” Milton, 18,
said: “I tried to kill myself last week –
I’m so miserable.” Sixteen-year-old
Tom said: “I’ve been clean for eight
months, but last night I got made
homeless again. I’m worried I’ll start
using like last time.”
A multiplicity of problems
Many of the young people who called
ChildLine about running away spoke not
of one problem (such as an abusive
parent), but of a multiplicity of problems,
all feeding on each other, which
precipitated their leaving. For example,
12-year-old Joe spoke of problems at
school, at home, and with other
relatives. He said: “Mum hits me when I
get in trouble at school, so I ran away.
I’ve been living with my gran for three
days, but her flat is too small, so she
says I have to leave. My dad lives
around the corner, but he’s always
drunk and doesn’t want me. I’ve got
nowhere to go, so I’ll have to stay on
the streets like I did before coming
to Gran’s.”
4.2 When do young people contact
ChildLine about running away?
Young people who are thinking of running
away sometimes call ChildLine
beforehand to ask about or discuss their
options. “I’m thinking of running away
from my foster carers,” said 15-year-old
Alan. “Nothing in my life is any good – my
parents are both alive, but I don’t have
contact with them. It’s not right.” In the
majority of cases, however, runaways call
ChildLine soon after leaving. Many of
these callers leave home after a heated
argument and/or abusive behaviour by
their parents/carers, and find themselves
on the street with no money and nowhere
to go. Many are fearful of returning home
and receiving more mental, physical or
sexual abuse. “I’ve got nowhere to go
and am really scared,” said 14-year-old
Julie, “but I’d rather die than go back
home. Can you help me?”
4.3 Where do runaways go?
Nowhere to go
Many young runaways, such as Alan,
above, report having nowhere to go
when they run away. These callers often
find themselves in an impossible
situation: they do not want to or cannot
return home, but do not have anywhere
safe to go. “Dad and I always argue,”
said 14-year-old Liz. “He said he wants
to put me into care. I don’t want to go
home, but I don’t have any money and I
don’t know what to do.” Other runaways
say they know where they want to go,
but lack the resources to get there. “My
sister and I have left home,” said
11-year-old Keith. “Mum drinks too
much and hits us. We want to go to our
dad’s, but don’t have any money.”
Some runaways have nowhere to go and
fear returning home, but say they do not
want the “nuclear option” of getting social
services or the police involved. For
instance, 16-year-old Holly said: “I need
somewhere to stay – can you help me?
I don’t want social services getting
involved, but I don’t want to go home,
either. There’s too much fighting there.”
Staying with friends
Most young people staying with a friend
or relative say they fear that they are in the
way or are overstaying their welcome. “I
ran away two days ago,” said 15-year-old
Lucy. “I’m staying with a friend, but can
only stay here another day or two. My
mum and I argue all the time – that’s why
I left. She’s called the police and they’ve
been ringing to ask where I am. I want
to talk to social services. I don’t want
to go home.”
Pete, 13, said: “I asked my mate
if I could stay with him. His mum
said maybe, but first she’s going
to go round and talk to my mum
and see if she can sort things out.”
Sleeping rough
Gemma, 16, said: “I’ve been
kicked out again. Last time I slept
on the streets for a week before
Mum took me back.”
Chi ldLine
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Running away and homelessness
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www.childline.org.uk
4.4 Repeat runaways
UK research indicates that children who
repeatedly run away have a much higher
likelihood of going on to become
homeless. “This is like the fifth time I’ve
run,” said 15-year-old Gary, a repeat
runaway. “Before, I always called my
mum and she came and got me. But
I’m not calling her this time – I don’t
want to live with her any more.”
4.5 Running away from care
Almost 12 per cent of the children who
called ChildLine about running away also
mentioned being in care. Some were
running away from care, while others had
been in care and then returned home, or
had gone to live somewhere else, but had
run away. For some callers, being in care
was part of a complex tapestry of often
chaotic living situations. For instance,
young people might say that they had
been placed in care because of a parent’s
drug addiction, then gone back home,
then been moved back into care, then
returned home again – with these
episodes often punctuated by running
away and/or bouts of homelessness.
It is important to remember that even
though the figures for running away from
care are high, care is not to blame for all
incidents of running away. Young people
in care have had troubled home lives, and
many will have run away from home
several times before going into care.
When in care, some run away in order to
return to their parental home, or because
of problems with their parents. For
instance, 12-year-old Amber said: “I ran
away from care today after having an
argument over the phone with my mum.”
In some cases, runaways said that their
parents threatened to put them in care.
“My mum freaked out on me because
she found out I was cutting myself,”
13-year-old Katie told ChildLine. “She
shouted at me, I shouted at her, and
she said she would put me in care.”
4.6 Resources/services
Of the 2,304 children and young people
who called ChildLine in 2006/07 about
running away, 214 (9 per cent) spoke of
the involvement of social services, and
88 (4 per cent) mentioned contact with
the police.
With children’s permission, ChildLine
counsellors sometimes refer young
people to social services. In 2006/07,
ChildLine referred 139 young people
who called about running away to social
services – 6 per cent of all callers on this
topic. Running away is the third most
common reason for ChildLine to refer
young people to social services,
accounting for 18 per cent of the 1,323
referrals made by ChildLine in 2006/07.
Only homelessness (second) and physical
abuse (first) accounted for more.
Police
UK research into running away has found
that the police spend a disproportionate
amount of time searching for and
returning a relatively small number of
frequent, repeat runaways. While this
helps get young people off the streets
more quickly, it does little if anything to
address the underlying reasons for
running away, and leads to frustration on
the part of the police and others. “I ran
way from foster care yesterday,” said
14-year-old Dipesh. “I went to the police,
but they say I go missing so much they
won’t contact my foster carers.”
“Dad and I fight, I run away, the police
take me home. Then a month later the
same thing happens again,” said
12-year-old Alex.
Help contacting social services and/or
finding a place to stay
In many cases, young people ask
ChildLine to contact social services for
them, or ask for help in finding a place
to stay. For instance, 12-year-old Gill
said: “My mum hit me and threw me
against a wall. I’ve been away for five
days. I don’t want to go home – I’m fed
up with being hit. Can you call social
services for me?”
“I ran away from the respite care home
– I’d been there about a month. I won’t
go back. I want to live with my mum,
but I haven’t done that since I was a
little kid. Could you call my social
worker for me?”
Chi ldLine
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Running away and homelessness
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www.childline.org.uk
5. Key issues:
homelessness
5.1 Triggers/why children and young people
become homeless
Living in a homeless family
A small number of young people called
ChildLine to discuss the troubles they
were having because they described
their household situation as “homeless”.
For instance, 11-year-old Lindsay said:
“Mum and I don’t have a place to stay.
It’s terrible.” Fourteen-year-old Jamaal
spoke of both homelessness and
abandonment. He said: “I was living in a
shelter with my mum, but she did a
disappearing act last week, so I’ve been
staying with my brother, but he and his
girlfriend have got two kids and there’s
no room for me.”
However, the vast majority of young
people who called ChildLine about
homelessness spoke of being thrown out
of home or leaving it.
Thrown out
Of the 2,724 young people who called
ChildLine about homelessness in
2006/07, a little over half (1,480 or 54
per cent) said that they had been thrown
out by their parents or carers.
In many cases, young people over the age
of 16 said their parents presented them
with an ultimatum: follow the parents’ rules
or leave home for good. For example,
17-year-old Lacy said: “My parents said I
had to quit seeing my boyfriend because
he’s Asian. I told them they were racist and
said I wouldn’t stop seeing him, so they
packed my bags and chucked me out.”
Many of the young people who had been
thrown out were under 16. David, 14,
said: “I’ve been chucked out – I’ve got
nowhere to go. The last time Dad threw
me out I spent four months in foster care.
Then I went home. Three months later he
started hitting me again and now he’s
locked the doors and taken my keys. I’ve
got nothing – no money, no credit on my
phone, no food, nowhere to stay.”
Poor parenting
Homeless young people frequently spoke
of bad parenting, such as parents who
were physically, emotionally, or sexually
abusive, or who were neglectful, unloving,
or addicted to drugs or alcohol. More
often than not, children spoke about a
combination of two or more of these
factors, such as living with a parent who
became physically abusive when drunk.
Twelve-year-old Nikki said: “Mum
beat me up and chucked me out last
week. My friends take the mick because
she’s so shite.”
“My mum and her boyfriend are both
junkies,” said 13-year-old Amy. “I told
Mum she had to choose between me
and her boyfriend. She chose him.
I want to talk to social services.”
Fifteen-year-old Monica said: “I’m
homeless ’cos my mum’s a freak. Last
week she threatened to knife me, so I
left. There’s no point in calling the
police – they can’t do anything.”
Conflict with parents
Some young people spoke of not
getting along with their parents, and
finding themselves thrown out because
of this. “I was in care till I was 16, then I
went to live with Mum and Dad,” said
Marty. “I thought everything was going
to be like I always wanted, but instead
they couldn’t handle it and chucked
me out.”
“Mum chucked me out,” said
14-year-old Serena. “She says she
wishes I hadn’t been born and that it
was my fault she and Dad split up.
She’s insane – I was only seven when
he left. She threw all my stuff out
into the street and was screaming at
me in front of everybody. I was
really ashamed.”
In some cases, young people spoke of
being thrown out because they were
unable to get along with a parent’s new
partner. “Mum’s got a new boyfriend and
says I’m in the way,” said 11-year-old
Jada. “He and I fight all the time, so she’s
chucked me out.” Seventeen-year-old
James said: “I feel completely desperate.
Chi ldLine
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Running away and homelessness
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www.childline.org.uk
Mum threw me out ’cos I don’t get on
with her boyfriend, and social services
said there was nothing they could do.
Now I’m living on the streets.”
Arguments over boundaries and rules
For teenagers and parents, disputes
over boundaries and rules are frequent.
In most families, such disputes lead to
friction and arguments, but no more. In
some families, however, disputes over
boundaries lead to far worse outcomes.
“I stayed out all night. When I came
home, my bags were packed and Mum
told me to leave,” said 13-year-old
Camilla. Stacy, 16, said: “I went
clubbing on Thursday and didn’t come
home till Sunday. When I did, my bags
were packed. Mum said she couldn’t
cope. I’ve done it before. I can’t think of
anywhere to stay – none of my relatives
would have me.”
Getting into trouble – parents fed up
In most calls about homelessness, young
people spoke of parents who were unable
to control their tempers or cope with
normal teenage behaviour. However, in
some calls, young people spoke of their
own current or past behaviour that had
pushed their parents over the edge.
“Mum’s kicked me out because I’ve been
in trouble again,” said 16-year-old Curtis.
“She said she’s sick of having the police
at the door. She threw me out before, but
said she’d give me one more chance.
Now I’ve had it.” Fourteen-year-old Tasha
said: “I used to nick stuff from Mum, but
now I’ve stopped. But some of her stuff
has gone missing and she thinks I took it,
so she’s chucked me out.”
School problems
In some cases, young people spoke of
problems at school that contributed to
their parents throwing them out. However,
it was implicit in these calls that school
problems alone were not at the root of
the problem, but rather were the trigger
or final straw. “Mum kicked me out for
bunking off school,” said 14-year-old
Dawn. “I used to be in foster care – I’ve
only been back home for a month.”
Thirteen-year-old Dennis said: “I got
suspended from school so Mum chucked
me out.”
Thirteen-year-old Nigel said: “I’ve been
homeless for the last week. I’ve still been
going to school, but it’s hard. I don’t want
to tell anyone that I’ve got nowhere to go
– I don’t want the sympathy.” Rosie, 17,
said: “Mum’s chucked me out and I’ve got
nowhere to stay. I’m in college – I want to
finish, but now I need to get a job.”
Pregnancy
A total of 121 young people spoke of
homelessness and pregnancy. In most
cases, callers were teenage girls who
said that their parents had thrown them
out for becoming pregnant. For example,
15-year-old Linda said: “I’m pregnant.
Mum threw me out. My boyfriend’s trying
to find somewhere I can stay or where
we can stay together. Can you help?”
Thirteen-year-old Shelagh said: “I’m
scared. Mum told me to leave home. I’m
eight weeks pregnant and don’t have
anywhere to go.” Young people spoke of
working hard to smooth things out with
their parents, to no avail. “When I told
Mum I was pregnant,” said 15-year-old
Serena, “she threw me out. I’m staying
with a friend, but I want to go back home,
but Mum won’t answer her phone. When
I knock on the door she pretends she
isn’t in.”
Homophobia
UK-wide research indicates that lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)
teens are more likely to be made
homeless
people spoke of being thrown out of the
family home for being LGBT. For instance,
17-year-old Trevor said: “My parents
found out I was gay and chucked me out.
I’ve been walking the streets all night. I’ve
got no one I can stay with and it’s
freezing out.”
Repeatedly thrown out
Some young people reported that their
parents regularly threw them out, leaving
them homeless on a short-term and
semi-regular basis. For example,
15-year-old Ricky said: “This is like the
fifth time Mum’s thrown me out.”
Preparing for being thrown out
In some cases, young people called
ChildLine before they were made
2. In calls to ChildLine, young
Chi ldLine
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Running away and homelessness
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www.childline.org.uk
homeless, in order to find out what to do
once the inevitable happened. “My dad’s
a drunk,” said 15-year-old Darren. “He
doesn’t want me around. He’s always said
he’s chucking me out the day I turn 16.
That’s in three weeks. I need advice about
what to do.”
Because of problems with parents
While a large number of homeless young
people said they had been thrown out by
unreasonable parents, others said they
had left of their own accord in response to
parental misbehaviour. Freddie, 16, said: “I
couldn’t take it no more. My mum and
dad treated me like dirt. I had to do all the
cleaning and stuff – if I don’t do it, Dad
beat me up. I even had to take care of my
little brother and sister. I just don’t want
the aggro no more, so I’m on the streets.”
Bridges burnt
In some cases, young people spoke of
leaving a troubled home, finding
alternative living arrangements, but then
having that arrangement fall through and
ending up on the streets. These were tales
of bridges being burnt repeatedly. For
example, 17-year-old Heather said: “I left
home at 16. Lately I’ve been living with
my boyfriend, but now he’s chucked me
out and I’ve got nowhere to go. We
moved from the country to the city and
I don’t know anyone here.”
From running away to homelessness
“I ran away seven weeks ago,” said
16-year-old Leah. “Sometimes I sleep
on the streets, but mostly I’ve been
staying with guys I’ve met. I meet them
out drinking and stay the night with
them. I don’t want to go home – Mum
beats me.”
5.2 Issues faced by older teens
Disputes over work and rent
Helen, 17, said: “Mum says I have to
move out – she says I’m not trying hard
enough to find a job.”
Too old to be helped?
“I’m staying with a friend, but I have to
leave soon,” said 17-year-old Karen. “I
told social services, but they said I’m
too old so there’s nothing they can do.”
Rita said: “Mum threw me out. I turn
16 in a few weeks – does that make a
difference?” ChildLine gave her the
number of the social services
department.
5.3 Where young homeless people stay
Almost all young people spoke of extreme
difficulties finding somewhere to stay. Even
when callers had somewhere to stay for a
few nights, they were inevitably conscious
that this was only a short-term solution, and
that they were perilously close to living on the
streets.
Staying with friends or family
Many young people said they were
staying with friends. “My mum locked me
out, so I’m staying with a friend,” said
Fiona, 17. “My friend’s mum said she
would talk to my mum for me tonight.”
Overstaying welcome with friends
The vast majority of such callers,
however, said that they could only stay
with friends or family for a short period
of time, and had nowhere else to go.
Some were calling because they had to
leave soon; others had already been
thrown out into the street. “I was
sleeping in a friend’s shed,” said
16-year-old Mark, “but his mum found
out and now I’m on the streets.”
Staying with family
Some callers were able to stay with
other family members. However, for
most young people, this was not an
option, often because of the chaotic
lives of relatives.
Dysfunctional family members
Debbie, 15, said: “I don’t want to go back
to Mum’s – she’s got a mental illness. I
want to live with my dad, but I’m not
allowed to ’cos he’s violent. So I’m sleeping
rough,”. Fifteen-year-old Tracy said. “I don’t
want to stay with Mum ’cos she beats me,
but I can’t stay with Dad ’cos he’s just
gone to prison.” ChildLine was able to give
her the number for the refuge.
Overstaying welcome with family
Just like young people who were staying
with friends, those who were staying with
family members frequently spoke of
overstaying their welcome and having no
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other options. Nicki, 14, said: “Mum threw
me out in last month. I went to live with
Dad, but then he got sent to prison, so
now I’m at my cousin’s, but I know I’m in
the way. I want to offer to leave, but I’ve
got nowhere to go.”
B&Bs
Others were in bed and breakfast
accommodation. In some cases, their
chaotic lives – or the chaotic lives of
those around them – made it difficult to
keep a regular place. “I live in a B&B, but
they say I have to leave ’cos last night my
boyfriend got drunk and hit the landlord,”
said Ella, 17.
Sleeping rough
Some young people who contacted
ChildLine were sleeping rough. “I spent
last night in the park – I don’t know where
I’m sleeping tonight,” said Tony, 15.
Sixteen-year-old Stephanie said: “My
boyfriend and I live together in a tent, but
he got drunk and threw me out. I’ve got
nowhere to go.”
Dangerous places
Young people spoke of having to sleep
in places that were frightening and
dangerous. Marcus, 14, said: “Mum’s
chucked me out and won’t let me come
back home. I’ve been sleeping in a
shed – it’s scary. So cold and damp.”
Many young people were faced with a
catch-22 situation: they did not want to
or could not go home, but did not have
anywhere safe to stay. Polly, 12, said: “I’m
scared to be on the streets, but I’ve got
nowhere else to go. Sleeping rough is bad,
but home is worse.” Fourteen-year-old
Lizzie said: “I’d rather die than go back
home. Can you get me put into care?”
5.4 Social services, police, and
other resources
Of the 2,724 children and young people who
called ChildLine about homelessness in
2006/07, 283 (10 per cent) spoke about the
involvement of social services, and 82 (3 per
cent) mentioned contact with the police.
With their permission, ChildLine counsellors
sometimes refer young people to social
services. In 2006/07, ChildLine referred 241
callers about homelessness to social
services – 9 per cent of all callers on this
topic. Homelessness, which accounts for
20 per cent of all the referrals made by
ChildLine, is the second most common
reason for ChildLine counsellors to refer
young people to social services – just ahead
of running away and behind physical abuse.
Police
Callers who referred to the police tended
to view their assistance as well-meaning,
but said they were unable to address the
real issues. For instance, some young
people said that their parents behaved
one way to the police, but completely
differently to them. “Last night I stayed at
a friend’s,” said 14-year-old Tina. “But
tonight I’ve got nowhere to go. I went to
the police and they called my mum. She
told them she’d let me back in, but when
I got home she told me to piss off.”
“The worst thing that could happen is
for the police to take me home,” said
13-year-old Jess. “Mum’ll pretend
to be nice, then she’ll beat me
when they leave.”
Other callers complained that
the police’s advice was
useless, within the chaotic
context of their lives.
Dwayne, 15, said that
the police had taken
him back to his mother’s
the day before, “But she
told them she wouldn’t
let me in. So then they
said I should go to my
dad’s. But there’s no
way I’m staying
with him.”
Social services
Other young people said that they had
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been in contact with social services
before, and did not want them to be
involved again. For instance, when
15-year-old Adena said, “I’ve got
nowhere to live,” ChildLine suggested
she get in touch with the police or social
services. “I don’t trust social services,”
she replied. “I used to be in foster care
and they were useless.”
“Dad threw me out last week. I’ve been
staying with friends, but I’ve worn out
my welcome – tonight I’m sleeping
rough. There’s no point in calling social
services. I did that once before, but they
were useless,” said Alan, 13.
Other callers told ChildLine that, while
they wanted help for themselves and
thought that social services might be
able to provide it, they did not want
disruption for other members of their
family. Seventeen-year-old Yemi said:
“How do I get put in care? I’m between
homes at the moment. Mum hits me,
but I don’t want to tell social services
’cos then they’ll take away my younger
brother – Mum doesn’t hit him, only
me.” ChildLine gave her the number for
social services and Shelter Line, and she
said she would call them immediately.
“Mum got drunk and kicked me out a
few days ago,” said 15-year-old Devlin.
“I’ve been sleeping rough.” Devlin
refused ChildLine’s offer to contact
social services on his behalf, however,
saying: “I’m afraid they’ll take my little
brother into care.”
Other callers complained that social
services gave advice that did not suit
their particular situation. “Social services
say I should go back to Dad’s ’cos he
has custody,” said 14-year-old Jacob.
“But he’ll just hit me again.”
Some young people said they had a
social worker, but could not reach
him/her. “My social worker is on
holiday,” said 13-year-old Leslie. “I don’t
know who to talk to.”
Refuges, hostels and other resources
Numerous callers asked if ChildLine
could put them in contact with a
homeless refuge or provide information
about where they could stay. For
instance, 14-year-old Oliver asked: “Can
you give me the number of somewhere
I can go? My mum chucked me out,
and it’s raining and cold.”
Some callers highlighted the seemingly
minor but important hurdles young people
face when seeking accommodation. “I’ve
been kicked out,” said 17-year-old Kathy.
“The homeless office gave me the name
of a B&B, but I don’t have any credit on
my phone or any money to get there, so
I don’t know what to do.”
Other homeless callers complained that
they were not receiving the help they had
been promised. “I went to the homeless
person’s unit about three months ago,”
said 17-year-old Milly, “but they haven’t
come back to me yet.”
Some callers had been placed in hostels
or B&Bs, but had since been evicted
and had nowhere else to go. “Both my
parents got arrested last week,” said
16-year-old Samantha. “I’ve been in a
hostel since. But last night they chucked
me out ’cos I had someone in my room.”
ChildLine as information and advice service
ChildLine was frequently used as an
information hotline by callers seeking
phone numbers. For instance,
15-year-old Connor said: “My mum is a
terrible mother – now she’s kicked me
out. I want to go into care.” Connor then
asked for information about other
resources, and ChildLine gave him the
number of Shelter Line.
Other callers sought clarification of their
rights or legal matters. “My mum’s
kicked me out twice before,” said
15-year-old Chrissie, “but I’m nearly 16
now, so don’t have to live with her any
more if I don’t want to, right?”
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6.Counsellors’ views
ChildLine counsellors have a unique insight
into the feelings and experiences of
children and young people. In this section,
some of these counsellors discuss what
children tell them about running away and
homelessness.
6.1 Classifying running away
and homelessness
“If a child or young person has been
kicked out, then we would use the
term ‘homeless’,” says one counsellor,
“because they’ve actually been made
homeless. But if they’ve chosen to
run away from home, then that’s a
different scenario.”
6.2 Reasons for running away
“Often it’s an argument, or children might
say that they’ve been hit for the first time.
That can be a big shock to them, so they
immediately run, but then they calm down
and realise they want to return home,” a
counsellor says. “Or it could be the
culmination of a long period of abuse, but
I don’t think I’ve heard of that many
young people who’ve been abused for a
long time and then decided to run away.”
Another


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