2. Homeless Children Sara Willcox Katy Milton Jasmin Becker Emma Dahlqvist Ana Freitas

3. Children Under 18. Children Under 18. We all agree that homeless children do not have a ‘HOME’ in the traditional sense in society. We all agree that homeless children do not have a ‘HOME’ in the traditional sense in society. Definition

4. Sweden Not having a permanent home. Not having a permanent home. Not be able to create social relations. Not be able to create social relations. No figures. No figures.

5. Portugal Homeless children are connected with the concept of street children and, like Sweden, homeless families. Homeless children are connected with the concept of street children and, like Sweden, homeless families. Mainly found in the capital city, Lisbon. Mainly found in the capital city, Lisbon. Connected with migration. Connected with migration.

6. Germany Street children are those who are homeless Street children are those who are homeless The official definition: Street children are all those under 18 who are absent from their home without official permission of their parents for an unknown time. The official definition: Street children are all those under 18 who are absent from their home without official permission of their parents for an unknown time. Teenagers who spend all their time on the streets but still sleep at home do not belong to this group. Teenagers who spend all their time on the streets but still sleep at home do not belong to this group. Children who run away only for a few days and then return home do not belong to this group. Children who run away only for a few days and then return home do not belong to this group.

7. England Homeless children are all those who run away or are thrown out of home or care - this tends to include those who stay away for one night. Homeless children are all those who run away or are thrown out of home or care - this tends to include those who stay away for one night.

8. statisticscountry Total population (in million) Number of homeless children Sweden10 No figures of children on their own Portugal10.4 2500 to 5000 (includes street children) Germany82 1500 to 2500 (every year) The UK 60 about 100.000 (= total number of runaways every year)

9. Reasons for child-homelessness Reasons everywhere: - poor relationships, boundaries issues - rejection and feeling pushed out - split family issues - violence and abuse, negligance - being in trouble Reasons in certain countries: - school issues (the UK, Portugal) - whole family is homeless (Sweden, Portugal) - leaving care/ abuse in care homes (the UK) - gambling parents (Sweden) - unaccompanied young migrants (the UK)

10. Problems which homeless children have: poor health poor health danger of getting in contact with prostitution, drugs, violence, abuse… danger of getting in contact with prostitution, drugs, violence, abuse… don’t go to school don’t go to school missing chances and opportunities for future life missing chances and opportunities for future life lack of security lack of security being marginalized being marginalized lack of social skills lack of social skills hunger, thirst, not enough sleep, cold hunger, thirst, not enough sleep, cold danger of criminal behaviour to earn money danger of criminal behaviour to earn money

11. A project for homeless children in Germany: Situation of street children: - live mostly in big cities, anonymous, are mobile - expect normality, look for safety, hope to go to school, do an apprenticeship, get flat and work - are on street because of lack on alternatives and desperation - wish to get away from street project of “Offroadkids”: - Cross-regional street work - centres in Berlin, Hamburg, Dortmund and Cologne - have a free emergency and contact phone and a own care home for teenagers - want to give case concentrated help (over local) - concentrate on developing perspectives together with the children on the streets

12. Social answers in Portugal Homeless children Social services are informed Family No family Family No family Know and analyse go to care home Stay with family go to care home Stay with family go to care home

13. Social answers in Portugal Homeless families Non governmental Institutions Social Services Albergues Nocturnos do Porto Space for families Search for Social responses Space for families Search for Social responses Respect for the families

14. England - Centrepoint National Charity National Charity Aim: to improve the lives of socially excluded young homeless people Aim: to improve the lives of socially excluded young homeless people How? Accomodation based services, counselling, education, multi-agency partnerships, development of local and government policy How? Accomodation based services, counselling, education, multi-agency partnerships, development of local and government policy Specialist programmes include prevention of homelessness and ‘Resilience’ building. Specialist programmes include prevention of homelessness and ‘Resilience’ building. Anti-oppressive practice? Anti-oppressive practice?

15. Sweden Sweden are not supposed to have any homeless children Sweden are not supposed to have any homeless children Report to social services Report to social services There is a big question mark over the number of homeless children There is a big question mark over the number of homeless children Falling through the safety net Falling through the safety net The problem is now being acknowledged The problem is now being acknowledged Solutions are being discussed Solutions are being discussed

16. Comparative Analysis – Discussion Commonalities and differences: - Social services are responsible for young homeless people but how they deal with them varies - The concept of young homeless people varies across countries but with some it is connected with the concept of street children. - In all countries poverty is a consequence of homelessness, in some it is also a reason. - There are various common reasons for homelessness but some countries have their own specific reasons - Different visions of the problem create different forms of intervention.

17. Questions for discussion: Should those working with homeless children engage with them on the street to build a relationship or is it better to get them off the street and work with them in a safe place? What is the philosophy/attitude of organisations working with young homeless in your countries? Is there an antioppresive approach?