A participatory project with young people as peer interviewers.

A joint research project, funded by BASPCAN.

Children who go Missing from Care:

The Aim of the Study

Issues which contributed to young people going missing form care.

Triggers that prompted episodes of young people going missing.

Support received during or following instances where they went missing.

Factors that might prevent future episodes.

In order to inform service delivery, policy development and further research.

I was just getting angry because people weren’t telling me what was going on and I was…...like where's my family, why are they not here and who are you …………………………. ( Young Person)

Using Peer Researchers

Allow young people to have a voice.

Peer interviewers.

Gain improved data.

Recruitment & Selection Peer Researchers

Support.

Selection of Young People.

• Authority and power• Friction• Isolation• Environmental issues

I’ve never really had anyone to talk to about anything that really bothers me.I’ve tried speaking to my social worker but she’s just up your arse man, doesn’t listen to me and believes everyone else……. (Young Person)

I always used to run away from council units because they didn’t really have much boundaries, they couldn’t really do anything.(Young Person)

Reasons for running away

Returning to Care

Experience upon return:

Reactive and punitive.Lack of support.Lack of boundaries.Lack of consequences.

I just got into trouble and told to stop doing it…. There was no consequence….. They need to be more strict and make rules and boundaries.(Young Person)

Now they hid my shoes, like I went out in socks and she put like ketchup in my shoes like (Young Person)

Preventative Strategies

What young people said would help:Clear rules and boundariesGuidance in staying safeDialogue and being listened toFamily contactFeeling someone caredMore structured time

I would just tell them to make sure they were going to be alright if they were going to run away………. Because for all you know you could walk through a park and the next thing you know, you could be stabbed, you know what I mean? It’s hard, it’s hard. (Young person)

Lessons LearnedAdvantages

Gives voice to young people

Personal growth

Professional opportunities

Greater insights gained

Rewarding for research team

Focus group participants

found it useful

Challenges

Novice interviewers

Time consuming

Payment of peer researchers

Power imbalance

Exploitation

Local to Glasgow

Conclusions

Any Questions?

Full report can be found at :- http://www.nspcc.org.uk/globalassets/documents/research-reports/children-missing-from-care-report.pdf