Information for professionals
We know that young people facing difficult situations may need support from many sides. That’s why we work in partnership with other professionals – from education, social care, transport or other frontline services – to ensure support offered is sustainable, effective and far-reaching.
Supporting young people at risk
Railway Children works with young people at risk on streets and across transport networks, offering them safety, stability, and the chance to build a better future.
This page provides essential information on how we work and ways that youth services can work together to ensure young people receive the right support at the right time.
Why the railways?
We are the only children’s charity in the UK to be working directly with British Transport Police (BTP) to support young people found to be at risk on the rail network.
Railway stations can offer young people freedom, excitement, adventure or simply a convenient means of getting from A to B. But the crowds, the anonymity and the chance of escape can also be a magnet for young people at risk of harm and those who may wish to exploit them.
Young people referred to our services by BTP are often:
- at risk of or already involved in exploitation, including county lines activity
- going missing from home or care placements – often repeatedly
- struggling with low mental health and at risk of harm
- involved in substance misuse
- dealing with family conflict and/or unhealthy friendships and relationships
- involved in trespassing or antisocial behaviour
- out of education, employment or training
In 2025/26, 1,168 vulnerable young people were reported to BTP and referred to our services.
How we work
Our youth practitioners take referrals directly from BTP for young people aged 10 to 17 who have been identified as at risk. They assess the young person’s situation, establish whether they need further support and identify who is best placed to provide this.
If we feel we are best placed to support a young person, our youth practitioners will carry out an initial visit to the young person and their family. If the young person is willing, we will then provide one-to-one support sessions tailored to their needs.
We will also liaise with other professionals such as educational providers, police, social care and CYPMHS to ensure care is coordinated, meaningful and far-reaching.
We can be flexible in how we work with young people and for how long. Our staff are experienced youth workers who employ a solution-focused and person-centred approach to help young people bring about positive change in their lives.
