About
RUNA stands for “Rember U are Not Alone” and was established in 2002 in response to the number of young people encountered on the streets of Bolton at night time in the early days of Urban Outreach’s work with the homeless and rough sleeper communities.
Today, over 2000 missing reports are made each year for children in Bolton. RUNA works closely with GMP and the Local Authority to respond to each missing episode and offer support to the young person and their family with the aim of reducing missing incidents in the future.
What we do
When a young person is reported missing, RUNA is commissioned by the Local Authority to offer an Independent Return Interview within 72 hours of their return. This provides the young person with an opportunity for their voice to be heard, explore what led to them being reported missing, and what needs to change to prevent further missing episodes.
RUNA works in collaboration with police, social care, schools, health and other voluntary agencies, acknowledging that young people who are reported missing may be at risk of being drawn into exploitation, drug and alcohol misuse, mental and sexual health issues, and/or exclusion from school and failure to meet educational milestones.
Impact
Frequently Asked Questions
RUNA receives a daily report from the police detailing every young person that has been reported missing and returned in the previous 24 hours. From this, we receive contact information of the informant, and we work closely with the local authority to access parent/guardian contact information to offer an Independent Return Interview, in line with statutory guidelines.
RUNA have been notified of a recent missing episode for a young person in your care. We are contacting you to request consent to arrange an Independent Return Interview with the young person either at home, care placement, or school, and to offer further support if necessary.
RUNA is an independent service. We are not police or social workers. When we complete an Independent Return Interview, a write up is sent to the Missing from Home Coordinator in the council who will triage the information and ensure it is shared with relevant professionals only if necessary.
