CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE WHO GO MISSING Gill Brown Chief Executive Brighter Futures 1

“Psychological problems and linked patterns of thoughts, feelings and behaviours which tend to result from prolonged exposure to traumatic experience.” “Repeated situations in which the individual loses control or is disempowered … from which there is no apparent escape” Difficulties with personal relationships – avoidant, anxious, mistrust, guilt, self-blame, low self-esteem. Difficulties regulating emotions – uncontrolled anger and intense emotions, aggression, self-harm, substance misuse, anti-social behaviour links to homelessness. Complex trauma 2

The extent of the problem Children’s Society estimates up to 100,000 a year. Children run from a problem. Children run to somewhere they want to be. 25% are at risk of serious harm. Links between running away and risk from sexual exploitation, violent crime, gang exploitation drug and alcohol misuse. from-home-or-care 3

Who is vulnerable? Children in residential care are at particular risk of going missing and vulnerable to sexual exploitation Distance from home, family and friends is a key factor for looked after children running away. Having a sense that they are not being listened to or taken seriously. Children trafficked from abroad. 4

Work with missing children 2002 Base 58 support for children being sexually exploited 2011 Pilot with Staffordshire Police interviewing all 12 – 18 year olds who went missing in Stoke on Trent. 5

Nov 2011 to June individual children and young people referred to the pilot. 69% were female 31% were male 71% were aged between 12-15, 66% of these were female 11% had a learning disability or difficulty 75% of all CYP referred were in the care a local authority; - 63% of all CYP referred were in the care of Stoke on Trent Local Authority - 63% lived in independent foster care placements - 37% lived in residential care 6

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Frequency 83% had a single intervention 17% were referred more than once 14% were frequently reported missing with a total of 386 episodes prior to the pilot 73% required further support from other services “I have moved to a new care home now and everything is much better. It did help somebody coming out to see me………………… I suppose it was good the Police didn’t come to see me I don’t get loads of questions from my friends then” 8

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Sexual exploitation Sexual exploitation was the primary reason for children going missing in 25% of cases. 44% had sexual exploitation as a secondary factor Some young people were at risk from other young people in a care setting Children and young people said they were more likely to open up to a Base58 worker than a social worker or police officer. “I’m no longer hanging around with lads that made me run away, taking drugs and drinking” 11

Supporting disclosure Identify local hotspots Identify perpetrators Support young people to make statements Support & initiate police investigations 12

Repeat missing episodes 13

Cost to police of each missing child investigation£1,044 Before pilot 386 episodes During pilot 72 episodes Total saving to Police £327,816 Social and emotional impact on young people = immeasurable “I’ve moved foster placements now and things are much better, it was good that the same person came to see me, it didn’t matter how many times I went missing, Sammi came to see me every time – four in all I think” Financial impact 14