National recognition

ASTRA was part of an advisory group to the Government’s Social Exclusion Unit during their examination of the issue of young runaways in the UK. See Young Runaways – Report by the Social Exclusion Unit for details of their findings and recommendations at www.socialexclusionunit.gov.uk.

The Children’s Society has worked for a number of years to highlight the issue of young runaways nationally. They were the first organisation to provide outreach street services to young runaways and have led the field in extensive research; ASTRA has been involved in this research and commended as a model of good practice. For more information on the Children’s Society, including publications, see www.childrenssociety.org.uk.

ASTRA was also highlighted as an example of good practice by the Social Services Inspectorate in their January 2002 report on Gloucestershire Social Services. You can find out more about the work of the Inspectorate at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk.