What are good ways of mediating between families and runaway children?
Sometimes young people, if they are in care or have gone through a place of suffering, will be reluctant to meet face to face, especially if they have had an abusive home life. A mother might never have been able to stand up to the abuser but wants to communicate with the child. Texting is a good way of opening up communication, as well as social networking sites. It gives the young person a way to be in contact, to say how they are thinking and feeling, which is non-judgemental and non-threatening. Are there times when it is better for young people not to stay at home? The reality of life is you can’t save everyone. It’s tough to swallow for society but there are some families so dysfunctional they can’t live together. You have to think about the whole range of problems; where that young person is at risk, or where others are at risk, where maybe the abuser stays in the family. Every family is different. You need a good strong multi-discipline team; people with housing expertise and s
