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.
Shaping Stronger Families in England and Kenya: Summary
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.
Shaping Stronger Families in England and Kenya: Full Report
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.
The Value of Return Home Interviews: Summary
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.
The Value of Return Home Interviews: Full Report
A Social Return on Investment analysis of the value of Return Home Interviews and follow-up support, carried out with four project partners.
Be real with me: reflections on peer research
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.
Reaching Safe Places: Summary Report
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.
Reaching Safe Places: Full Report
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.
Reaching Safe Places: Summary Circular Map
Peer researchers identified two kinds of journey that young people who run away experience. View an illustration of the circular journey.
Reaching Safe Places: Summary Linear Map
Peer researchers identified two kinds of journey that young people who run away experience. View an illustration of the linear journey.
reach: A new model of intervention for children before, during and after they run away
An evaluation of the effectiveness of Railway Children's Reach model at SAFE@LAST.
Off the Radar: Children and young people on the streets in the UK
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.
Off the Radar: Executive Summary
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.
Breaking the Cycle of Violence
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
Struggling to Survive: Full Report
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.
Railway Children Africa Care Experience
Understanding the lived experience of young adults who grew up in residential care centres in Tanzania & a Theory of Action to reorient care for vulnerable children.
RCA Fit Persons intervention report 2021
This report presents the results of Part 2 of the final evaluation of the UN General Comment project (DFID/ FCDO project) and focuses, in particular, on the impact of the Railway Children Africa (RCA) Fit Persons intervention. The purpose of the analysis has been to inform continued investment by RCA in its Fit Persons intervention.
Impact of Community Care Project RCA
This report provides a supplementary analysis to the evaluation of the UN General Comment project by examining the impact of the Railway Children Africa (RCA) Community Care project. The purpose of the analysis has been to inform continued investment by RCA in its community care interventions.
Railway Children Africa safeguarding case study
A case study of Railway Children Africa’s work with street connected children and youth in Mwanza, Tanzania, conducted by the Contextual Safeguarding team from the University of Durham.
India research
Child Reunification Process in India
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.
Process documentation of Lucknow - India's first 'Child Friendly Station'
An executive summary of the processes and initiatives that have led to India's first 'child friendly' station.
Beyond Survival
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.
Executive Summary of Multi-Stakeholder Cooperation at Railway Stations 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.
Collective Action for Children
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.
Executive Summary: Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU) Intervention
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.