Policy Hub
On 3rd November 2009, the charity Railway Children released a study which looks at the vulnerable lives, situations and experiences of street children in the UK.
This three-year study involved first-hand interviews with 103 children and young people, each with experience of being ‘detached’ under the age of 16. The term ‘detached’ describes children and young people who have been away from home or care for lengthy periods of time and who live outside key societal institutions such as the family, education and other statutory services; who do not receive any formal sources of support; and who are self-reliant and/or dependent upon informal support networks.
The study argues that, at present, policy and practical responses tend not to incorporate the needs of this vulnerable and marginalised group. As such, the study seeks to provide an evidence base that highlights their experiences and identifies specific measures to respond to their needs.
Off the radar: children and young people on the streets in the UK (executive summary)