1. Home
  2. Children & Families
  3. Young people and transitions
  4. Youth advice

If you're thinking of running away

If things have got to the point where you've had to run away from home, you can still access services from the Council or Social Services, and there is also a free helpline that you can contact specifically to do with running away.

Runaway helpline

For advice and support you can also visit the missing people website.

You can call the runaway helpline for advice, support and options if you, or someone you love, goes missing or runs away - it’s free, 24 hour and confidential.

If you need to leave, make sure you go somewhere safe and you feel in control. This might be somewhere you can stay for short time while you work out what to do next. If you need help right now, call 999.

Relationships at home

Sometimes in life, relationships with your family members can get difficult. This can make it awkward to talk to them about things.

Remember, there are no 'perfect' families, but some seem to get along better while others experience constant conflict or stress. Here are some tips to help you get along better at home:

  • Talk things through. Your family members can't read your mind, no matter how well they know you. Tell them if what they do upsets you or if you don't like the way you are treated.
  • Keep your parents informed. Most parents nag you because they don't know what you're up to and are worried.
  • Respect each other. You may not agree with your parents' rules and beliefs, just as they may not like all of yours. Try to remain calm and collected instead of lashing out, and they will be more likely to respect what you have to say.
  • Respect each other's privacy. Let them know you're not hiding anything, you just need a bit of time and space to yourself sometimes.
  • Family members bear the brunt of it when you are in a bad mood. Try hard not to always take it out on them and remember to do something nice for them regularly to show that you care.
  • If you're feeling stressed or angry, try doing an activity that you enjoy, maybe a sport, or practice relaxation techniques in a quiet place. Your problems probably won't go away but it'll give you a chance to distance yourself from family members.