Seeking Refuge: Findings from an Evaluation of the ‘Running – Other Choices’ refuge

Description

Each year, a significant number of children and young people run away from, or are forced to leave, home. Research conducted by Wade (2001) estimated that approximately 9000 children run away from home in Scotland each year, with family conflict, abuse and problems at home cited as the main reasons. Rees and Lee (2005) indicated that one in six young runaways sleep rough, and one in 12 young runaways are hurt or harmed while running away. Alarmingly, Wade (2001) estimated that one in six young runaways in Scotland have been physically or sexually assaulted whilst away from home. Other studies have highlighted the risks facing these young people on the streets (Crawley, Roberts and Shepherd, 2004; Dillane, Hill and Munro, 2005; Harper and Scott, 2005). Young people may adopt ‘survival strategies’ which involve shoplifting, theft, sexual exploitation and/or coping mechanisms which may involve the use of drugs and alcohol (Wade, 2001; Biehal and Wade, 2002; Owen and Graham, 2004; Rees and Lee, 2005; Smeaton, 2005). This can often result in long-term difficulties for young runaways such as addiction and adult homelessness. Indeed, the Prison Reform Trust (2005,p.16) notes the high number of prisoners who ran away from home as a child. The Children (Scotland) Act 1995 enables local authorities in Scotland to provide short-term refuge in designated or approved establishments and households for children or young people who appear to be at risk of harm and who request refuge. Under the legislation, refuge can be provided for up to seven days, or in exceptional and limited circumstances for a maximum of 14 days. Available support for young runaways is often non-existent or seriously inadequate; however, recent attention has focussed on the plight of young people on the streets, leading to the publication of policy frameworks and guidelines (Scottish Executive 2003a and 2003b). The first dedicated refuge for young people in Scotland was opened in July 2004 as a national pilot project. This refuge was funded by the Scottish Executive and set up by Aberlour Child Care Trust, building on the foundations and experience of the already existing ‘Running - Other Choices’ (ROC) Outreach Project. The ROC refuge provides sanctuary for young people aged 11-15 years, although young people aged 16 and over, who are deemed vulnerable and who have run away, may be assessed as suitable. The service is available to young people who have run away from local authority accommodation or foster care as well as those who have left their family home. The young person is admitted voluntarily to the refuge and can leave if they choose to do so. On leaving the refuge, young people will be offered ongoing support from the ROC refuge and outreach teams. This paper outlines the findings of an evaluation of the ROC refuge.

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