Running away from home

One of the most common ways for young people to end up homeless is through running away from home.

Many young people suffer from feeling that they can't carry on living at home (or in foster care or residential care).

They might be suffering bullying, anxiety, or conflicts that are hard to resolve.

They may be under pressure to leave home from parents or other family members.

The anxiety caused by the problems can combine with worries about where to live. Leaving home may come to seem like the only escape. Sometimes it can all get too much.

If things go wrong, and you have to leave home suddenly, in an unplanned way, you need to get the best advice right away.

Related topics: Living at home, Parent Trouble, Protection from Abuse

Facts about running away

• It's estimated that 100,000 young people run away each year
• 26,000 of young people who ran away say they were forced to leave
• Young people living in residential homes are 3 times more likely to run away
• 80% of 16 year olds cite 'problems at home' as one of the reasons for running away
  Source: Shelter

Thinking about running away?

All too much? Feel that you have to run away? Here's your step-by-step guide to solving the crisis:

1. Talk things over with your parents or carers. Even if you think it won't help, even if you know it'll only cause more trouble. They need to understand that there's a problem, and you need to tell them how serious it is. Tips on talking to your parents or carers.
   
2. Talk to an adult you trust. Youth workers and Connexions PAs are specially trained to help young people, and will take your problems seriously. A teacher, religious leader, relative or parent of a friend may help. If you are in care talk to your Personal Adviser or call The Young Person’s Safety Net.
   
3. Call a helpline. If you're worried about how you can solve a problem, or can't talk to your parents or other people, you can always talk to a helpline. There's even one especially for runaways, the Runaway Helpline. Call it at any time on 0808 800 70 70. Here are some other helplines:
   — Childline - 0800 1111 For any crisis, no matter how bad. Any time.
   — Shelter - 0808 800 4444 For housing crisis. (8am-8pm Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm Sat-Sun)
   — Frank - 0800 776600 Help, information and advice on anything involving drugs. Any time.
   — NSPCC - 0808 800 5000 For young people (at risk of) being hurt, injured or abused. Any time.
   — Refuge - 0808 2000 247 Help for women and children suffering domestic violence. Any time.

Be clear about what the problem is. Don't worry about getting other people into trouble. Social and Health care will help if you are in danger. They will first try to solve the problems so that you can remain with your family, but if that doesn’t work there are other options, and laws to protect you.

Key link: www.runawayhelpline.org.uk

Experience: don't give up

Make contact with every possible type of Organisation, Homelessness Service, doctor’s surgeries. If you’re on your own it’s easy to think I guess I’ll go get p***** because no one gives a s***. – one who knows

Links

These websites will help you find housing advice and services:

• Shelter
  Advice and information about housing from the national charity
• Runaway Helpline
  Advice from charity Missing People plus a 24/7 helpline
• Childline
  Help and advice from the NSPCC's helpline website

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