The rail network is like a magnet, attracting vulnerable children and young people and offering a place to go to instead of home or a place to hide, as well as access to trains that can be used to escape, run away or sometimes travel to meet new people.
But they can also attract those looking to exploit the vulnerable such as County Lines Gangs, drug runners, those involved in child sexual exploitation and trafficking. These predators are determined and skilled at seeking out, befriending and grooming young people who will then be subjected to exploitation and abuse.
That’s why we make sure to reach them first. Our work focuses on identifying those at risk, early intervention and preventing harm - transforming children’s lives, and optimising their life chances before it’s too late.
Safeguarding on Transport
Our Safeguarding on Transport programme was born out of our relationship with the rail industry and a partnership with British Transport Police.
They were recording around 10,000 vulnerable children using the railways every year with no mechanism in place to support them.
So they came to us.
The relationships we have across the sector mean we are in a unique position to mobilise the rail industry to commit to safeguarding these children. The Safeguarding on Transport programme is our way of doing that. We want to ensure that if a vulnerable child is finding sanctuary on the railway or is being exploited in some way as they use it, then a responsible adult somewhere will intervene and that will trigger some support that can help the child beyond responding to that one incident.
The Safeguarding on Transport programme is made up of three elements that work together to build a safety net for vulnerable people. Stepping in and giving the right support to a vulnerable young person can mark a turning point in their lives and the rail network provides a unique environment to identify and offer these life changing opportunities.
To achieve this, we work at three levels.
Street level
Working hand in hand with British Transport Police our project workers based at four station locations across Britain directly support children, young people, and their families.
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Community Level
We work with the rail community and members of the public to help them identify the children that might be at risk and understand the issues they face.
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Government Level
We work alongside multiple organisations, lobbying for change and supporting transport committees and policymakers to make sure systems are in place to keep children safe.
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More information about our UK work...
Our partnership with British Transport Police
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We work with BTP to spread awareness of how to identify and protect those that are in danger on the network, including children involved in county lines, or those with mental health issues.
Our work with rail industry partners
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Our programme is designed to make sure vulnerable children are more easily spotted and supported on the rail network that the right support is offered at the right time.
Safeguarding on Rail Scheme
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The Safeguarding on Rail Scheme was developed by the Department for Transport and British Transport Police in response to increasing numbers of vulnerable people on the rail network.
Information for young people
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How Railway Children can help and other sources of free, confidential support.
Advice for adults
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Guidance for parents, carers and other adults, and how to spot the signs of children at risk.
Information for professionals
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More detail on our Safeguarding on Transport projects and our UK teams.
Our research
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We use research on children at risk to inform our work, influence policy makers and plan effectively.
Our training
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We have training options for all people in the rail industry, regardless of role, location and local needs.