Helpline for missing children

A NEW service has been launched in Cheshire for missing children and young people.
Catch22 is being run by a partnership of the four councils in the county – Warrington, Halton, Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester.
It has a helpline and a free, confidential advice service for young people as well as providing support to enable young people to develop strategies to keep themselves safe.
Phone lines are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The new service is staffed by experienced “missing from home” case workers and fully trained volunteers. Its aim is to directly link children and young people to local support, if they want it.
Cllr Colin Froggatt (pictured), executive member for Warrington Borough Council’s children and young people’ services said: “This service works directly with young people, and with families or carers, to reduce the risk and the number of children and young people who are reported missing each year.
“The reasons children go missing are often varied and complex and the aim of the service is to provide targeted support to those in need and offer them an ear to talk to.
“Now workers are working directly with the children and their families or carers to diminish that risk and to reduce the number of children and young people that are reported missing each year.”
Kathy Boardman, Catch22’s missing from home co-oordinator, said: “Children and young people often find themselves in situations that they find it difficult to get out of.
“Sometimes going home seems like the hardest thing to do, and the reasons for this can be incredibly complicated. Having some emotional support, a listening ear, an adult that has the time to listen and hear what the problems are can help a child stay safer, immediately and in the longer term.”
The help line number is 0808 168 9698.