NSPCC: Thrown out children in desperate need, warns ChildLine

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Monday, 17, Dec 2007 12:00

Embargoed until 00.01hrs Monday 17 December 2007

Thrown out children in desperate need, warns ChildLine

Sixty children call ChildLine every week after being thrown out of home or having run away, reveals a new study today (17 December). 1

The helpline says a severe shortage of emergency accommodation is leaving thousands vulnerable to sexual exploitation, drugs and other street dangers each year.

According to the study, 1,314 under 16 year olds called ChildLine after being thrown out of home by a parent, including 162 who were 11 years old or younger. Children talked about a variety of reasons that had led to them being thrown out, including pregnancy, arguments with parents, inability to get along with a parent’s new partner and problems at school.

A further 1,788 under 16s called after running away, usually because of conflict with parents or carers. More than one in three (38%) talked about being physically abused.

Despite many calls from children who were sleeping rough on the streets, there are currently just six emergency beds that under 16s can access directly in England and Wales. The beds are provided by the London Refuge, which is run by St Christopher's Fellowship in partnership with the NSPCC.2

The NSPCC, which provides the ChildLine service, is calling on the Government to increase emergency refuge accommodation for under 16s who are in danger on the streets. 3

ChildLine senior services manager Angie Brown said: “ChildLine speaks to children who sleep rough on the streets because they can’t or won’t return home and have nowhere else to go.

“The police or social services will take a child home unless it can be proved that they are in danger there. But this can make things worse by returning them to the problems they are trying to escape from.

“That’s why emergency accommodation is so crucial. It safeguards children from harm on the streets at the point of crisis and provides breathing space for children and parents so the root cause of conflict can be addressed. Rebuilding relationships in this way is vital to prevent repeat running.”

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Notes to editors

1. ChildLine counselled 1,788 UK children under 16 who called the helpline about running away between 1 April 2006 and 31 March 2007. A further 1,314 children under 16 called the helpline because they were thrown out of their home and had nowhere else to stay.

During the same period, ChildLine counselled 1,538 16 to 18-year-olds who called the helpline about running away or being homeless; a further 388 callers did not give their age. Children aged 16 or over who do not have somewhere to stay are entitled to access emergency hostel accommodation.

2. The London Refuge for Runaway Children is a registered refuge operating under Section 51 of the Children’s Act 1989.

3. The NSPCC is calling on Government to increase safe accommodation options for under 16s who are in danger on the streets along with other support provision, including: education about ‘keeping safe’ and signposting services for young people; access to family support; return interviews (for children who are returned home) by independent professionals to assess ongoing support needs; entry into the LAC system where there are child protection concerns.

About the report

ChildLine Casenotes are a series of studies based on calls to ChildLine. The latest report in the series looks in-depth at calls to ChildLine between 1 April 2006 and 31 March 2007 about running away and homelessness. The report is available from 17 December from www.nspcc.org.uk/inform

About ChildLine

ChildLine is the UK’s free, confidential, 24-hour helpline for children and young people. In February 2006, ChildLine formally joined with the NSPCC in a move that ensures even stronger services and a more influential voice for children and young people. ChildLine, now one of the NSPCC’s helpline services, still has the same well known telephone number – 0800 1111.

About Amlin

This ChildLine Casenote was supported by Amlin as part of its 2007 Charity and Community Programme.