Our research
We invest in research so that we can target our resources and work more effectively. Our research also provides an essential evidence base of the issues that affect children alone on the streets.
UK research
Latest research: Shaping Stronger Families in England and Kenya
Our latest research explores tackling family conflict and shows how the same approach can be effective in completely different cultures, enabling children in Kenya to stay off the streets and children in England to stay out of the care system. The full report can be downloaded below, or find out more about the reseach.

A summary of the report outlining our use of an international approach to deal with family trauma and conflict, enabling children to return home from the streets in Kenya and to stay out of the care system in England.

A report outlining our use of an international approach to deal with family trauma and conflict, enabling children to return home from the streets in Kenya and to stay out of the care system in England.

A summary of the key findings from our latest report, assessing the social value and impact of Return Home Interviews and follow-up support for young people who have been missing.

A Social Return on Investment analysis of the value of Return Home Interviews and follow-up support, carried out with four project partners.

Our ‘Reaching Safe Places’ research was partly designed and delivered by Peer Researchers, who said their past experiences helped interviewees to ‘be real’ with them. This report draws together workers’ reflections on working alongside Peer Researchers and the learning that emerged.

This summary explores the journeys of young people who run away from home or care and should be read alongside the circular and linear journey maps.

The full report explores the journeys of young people who run away from home or care, and provides a comprehensive account of our methods, findings and recommendations.

Peer researchers identified two kinds of journey that young people who run away experience. View an illustration of the circular journey.

Peer researchers identified two kinds of journey that young people who run away experience. View an illustration of the linear journey.

An evaluation of the effectiveness of Railway Children's Reach model at SAFE@LAST.

Offering an incredible insight into the hard-to-reach world of some of Britain's most excluded children and young people, 'Off the Radar' is a comprehensive qualitative research study that looks in detail at the lives, situations and experiences of more than one hundred of the most detached children and young people in the UK.

The executive summary for 'Off the Radar', a comprehensive qualitative research study that looks in detail at the lives, situations and experiences of more than one hundred of the most detached children and young people in the UK.

Safe Families Safe Children (SFSC) is an international coalition of children's charities that includes Railway Children. The coalition's report 'Breaking the Cycle of Violence' reveals that the UK government is failing in its legal requirements to intervene and prevent the continued abuse of children in their homes.
East Africa Research

This report contains findings of the first ‘headcount’ survey in Kitale, Kenya initiated and organised by Railway Children (RCA) in conjunction with Child Rescue Kenya (CRK), the local government and the police.

This stakeholder analysis survey was conducted in 2014/15 by Railway Children in Mwanza, Tanzania, with the aim of understanding the nature of the relationships that children in the streets forge with different people connected to the town/street environment.

A social return on investment report to help us understand the impact and achievements of our intensive family work pilot project in Kenya. The aim of the project is to successfully and sustainably reconnect street connected children with their families.

Detailing numbers of children and young people observed on the streets of Mwanza in December 2014.

A survey of street involved children and youth in Mwanza who live in 'ghettos', camps and guest houses.

Detailing numbers of children and young people observed on the streets of Mwanza in December 2013, this report also includes night time data and builds on our findings of 2012.

This report details the findings of a survey carried out in October 2012, using quantitative data of children and young people observed to be living and working on the streets of four zones of Mwanza City.

Find out about the 'silent war' being waged against children in Tanzania and Kenya who are forced on to the streets. 'Struggling to Survive' details the harsh realities of life for children on the streets in East Africa, in their own words.

Find out about the 'silent war' being waged against children in Tanzania and Kenya who are forced on to the streets. 'Struggling to Survive' details the harsh realities of life for children on the streets in East Africa, in their own words.

Find out about the 'silent war' being waged against children in Tanzania and Kenya who are forced on to the streets. 'Struggling to Survive' details the harsh realities of life for children on the streets in East Africa, in their own words.

Find out about the 'silent war' being waged against children in Tanzania and Kenya who are forced on to the streets. 'Struggling to Survive' details the harsh realities of life for children on the streets in East Africa, in their own words.
India research

A report by Railway Children India that aims to understand the processes involved in the reunification of a child with his/her family in India.

An executive summary of the processes and initiatives that have led to India's first 'child friendly' station.

A study by Railway Children on the status of livelihood programmes for children and young people alone and at risk on the streets in India.

Railway Children works with partners and other agencies to reach out to vulnerable children who live on and around railway stations in India and to raise awareness of the dangers they face.

A report by Railway Children India examining how the Railway Protection Force is collaborating with Railway Children partners to provide assistance to vulnerable children living on India's railway platforms.

A recent evaluation of the intervention with Delhi Special Juvenile Police Unit, where social workers are employed as part of the team to ensure the care and protection of children.