New teachers manual about running away

A new teacher’s manual that addresses the issues to do with young people running away has just been published. This new educational resource called Running Away: A Cry for Help? Is produced by the National Missing Persons Helpline (NMPH) and the Children & Youth Partnership Foundation (CYPF).

It’s targeted at 11 to 14 year olds and addresses the issues and consequences of running away or going missing and aims to empower young people by developing key life skills. Also raises awareness of the issues involved and increases the options available to young people should they ever face circumstances that could cause them to consider running away.

Lessons and activities

It combines life skill exercises with case studies of true-life experiences taken from NMPH files. The resource also includes the booklet ‘missing’ that provides more information on the subject, a list of related organisations and some short case studies. There are 4 lessons containing a wide variety of activities ranging from written to role-playing, quizzes and mind-mapping. Delivery of the lessons is flexible, they can run as a unit of work over one year, or a couple of lessons can be taught as stand-alone lessons. A video called ‘Runaways’ is also available (Note: The content of the video’s real-life interviews with young runaways may be too sensitive for under 13’s)

Why young people run away

Young people are more likely to run away when they think they have no one to talk to or do not know where to go for help. Many of the young callers to NMPH’s Message Home Helpline say they left because they couldn’t find someone who would understand their problems.

One in nine young people run away before the age of 16 and most of these are in the 14 to 15 age group. They come from a wide range of backgrounds and leave home for a variety of reasons, such as family conflict, bullying, depression and other personal problems. Some are even forces to leave. Luckily, the vast majority of young runaways return, or are found within 48 hours. However, many stay away for long periods, increasing the risk of becoming involved in crime or other social ills.

Young runaways are 5 times more likely than other young people to have drug problems; 3 times more likely to be truanting; and 7 times more likely to be physically abused. Running away can also lead to problems later in life. Adults with serious problems such as crime, drug abuse or homelessness often ran away as children.

How to order

Running Away: A Cry for Help? Can be ordered through Incentive Plus Ltd on Tel: 01908526120. The resource is available for £10 or with Video for £17.62 inc VAT.