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RAP Referral Protocol
RAP Research
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If you are young and need help or are thinking about running away, or you know someone who needs help, call RAP on 0131 5569756 or contact the runaways helpline on 0808 800 7070.
For more information on RAP or Streetwork contact Sabine Kampka.
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According to a new research paper published by Streetwork’s Runaways Action Project (RAP). Findings showed 1 in 6 young people stated they had run away, an increase from previous figures that showed 1 in 9, reported back in 1999.
The findings came from around 400 young people Streetwork surveyed in schools across Edinburgh as part of a preventative workshops programme. The workshops wanted to raise awareness of the risks involved in running away and highlight alternatives to running.
“Streetwork has always been aware of the links between running away and homelessness in later life following our direct work with rough sleepers and the homeless. In 2006 we established RAP, a specialist team who targeted young people on the run or at risk of running away.”
Sabine Kampka, Youth Worker for the Runaways Action Project
The workshops took place in four different neighbourhoods across the city with varying degrees of poverty, unemployment, crime and education. As well as looking at the extent of young people running away, the research also looked at links between a young persons neighbourhood and the likelihood of running. Surprisingly results were pretty even throughout the city, with the North having the most runaways by a small margin.
The main focus of the workshops, however, was to educate young people on the risks involved in running and what support is available. Many of those surveyed before the workshops claimed to be completely aware of the risks: highlighting drugs, kidnap and rape as the main concerns. Following a series of role plays set up by Youth workers, the school kids were surprised at how easy they found themselves in uncomfortable situations and scenarios where they were in serious danger.
As Sabine concludes,
“Although this research only covers 11/12 and 13/14 age groups and only in Edinburgh, it still makes fascinating conclusions that as a youth worker I can draw on to understand some of the potential risks and likely behaviour of young runaways. Learning from the young people themselves means we can shape our service, identify locations we need to promote RAP and be visable to reach out to young runaways.”
To view a full version of the research report click to download on the left. |
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We got a call one day about a young girl, 13 to be precise, called Laura* who liked to disappear every week but this time hadn’t come back. The missing persons officer who called hadn’t had much luck with social work and could tell Laura was struggling at home and didn’t have anyone to talk to. Understandably he was very worried about her safety: alone, on the run in the city centre and missing out on her school work. He had heard about the Runaways Action Project and knew we had regular outreach shifts in the city centre and hoped we might come across her while we were out and about and offer her some support.
We managed to track Laura down following a description of her given to us by the police, she was very angry with her parents, especially her dad. She said she had been running away every week since the beginning of the year, has hardly been in school and the most she stays at home during one week is about 5 days. The local missing persons officer had made 9 referrals to social work, one for each time she went missing, but wasn’t having much success in getting social work support for Laura.
Laura was a creature of habit: normally running away on a Thursday, spending the whole weekend sleeping rough then heading back on Monday or Tuesday. When we met her she was on the run again so we chatted to her about where she was staying to make sure she was safe. We also looked at other options of accommodation with her, like friends, other family members or refuge, if she felt that was what she needed.
We kept in touch with her via phone calls and out on shift as she never made it to any of the meetings we had set up for her. She didn’t go into great detail about what was happening in her family home but showed a strong hatred towards her dad.
Finally we received a phone call from the police officer who made the initial referral, asking us if we could speak to Laura as he’d found her that night on the run again. We chatted about her feelings and discussed plans for her to return home the next day. She agreed that we could phone her to see how she was doing once she was home.
Since then Laura has gone back home after a short-stay with her grandma. When we spoke to her the last time she said it all seems to be going well for now and she and her family have made some arrangements to sort things out. In the last six weeks she has not been reported missing again.
Sometimes all it takes is a listening ear for a young person to feel they have the support to return to their home.
*names have been changed to protect identities |
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 Is aimed at young people up to 18 years who run away from home or care.To reduce the risks of running, the incidences of running, find other options and solutions to running.
What we can offer
o 1-to-1 support to young people who
- think about running away
- feel threatened to run
- have been running or
- are on the run
o School Workshops
o Detached youth work
o Presentations to agencies
Scotland wide one in nine young people runaway, 13 young people run away every week in Edinburgh (these only include the reported young people!!!), in some areas of Edinburgh one in 4 young people run away. Some of the runaways are as young as 9. The risks out on the street are high, getting mugged, sleeping rough, being sexually and physically abused and getting into drugs!
We offer independent return-interviews and on-going support for young people who have returned home and want someone to talk to about what is happening, tackle some of the reasons for running.
Through educational preventative workshops in schools, residential units and youth clubs we raise awareness of the issue of running away.
Our weekly detached youth work shift in the Edinburgh city centre reached over 500 young people from all over city and out with city boundaries. Trained youth workers promote the RAP services, offer advice, link young people into other services with regards to alcohol, drugs, sexual health, housing and employment etc.
For any more info email mail@streetwork.org.uk or
phone 0131 5569756.
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