More than a journey: how the industry is helping protect vulnerable young people
Lizzi Hollis from the Railway Children charity below explains how the rail industry is helping to safeguard vulnerable young people and why early intervention is so important.
For many vulnerable children and young people, stations and trains are places of refuge, escape, exploitation or danger. Young people may be running from abuse, neglect, family conflict or poor mental health. Others are being groomed, coerced into criminal activity, or exploited through county lines networks. And as rail travel provides easy access across regions, youngsters can find themselves travelling significant distances from home – unnoticed, until something goes wrong.
The Critical Need for Vigilance
This is why safeguarding has become an increasingly important issue, with frontline rail staff, station teams and transport police all uniquely placed to spot the signs that a young person may be at risk and intervene before harm occurs.
For 30 years, Railway Children has worked alongside the rail industry globally to help make that intervention possible. In the UK, we partner with British Transport Police, train operators, station teams, local authorities and communities to identify vulnerable young people and ensure they receive the support they need.
Shaping the Safeguarding on Rail Scheme
Through specialist training, Railway Children supports UK train operators to achieve Safeguarding on Rail accreditation and raise awareness of vulnerability by educating staff to recognise signs of exploitation, abuse and risk.
We deliver regional Safeguarding Action Groups, bringing together rail organisations and local safeguarding partners to improve joint responses where young people are most at risk.
Early Intervention: Changing Lives
When a child is identified, our Youth Practitioners provide practical support to young people and their families. Through one-to-one sessions, they help young people address challenges ranging from exploitation and trauma to emotional wellbeing, education and family relationships.
One young person supported by Railway Children was referred after being assaulted on a train and pressurised into joining a gang. The incident highlighted broader challenges in his life such as difficulties at home, struggles with his gender identity and the risk of exclusion from school.
Working with him, his family and his school, our Youth Practitioner helped him rebuild confidence, process his experiences and find positive outlets through music and creative writing. Today, he’s looking to the future with greater optimism and ambition.
His story demonstrates the importance of early intervention and the role alert rail staff and British Transport Police can play in being a starting point for life-changing support.
Creating a safety net through listening, support, and early intervention.
Building a Collective Safety Net
But safeguarding vulnerable young people cannot rest with any single organisation.
Looking ahead, Railway Children wants to see safeguarding become further embedded across the transport sector, with more organisations actively engaged in training, partnership working and information-sharing.
As the industry evolves, there’s a real opportunity to ensure that every member of the rail community, from operators and station teams to suppliers and contractors, understands the role they can and must play in protecting vulnerable young people.
By implementing safeguarding measures, supporting awareness and training programmes, sharing expertise or working with Railway Children on industry initiatives and events, rail organisations can strengthen the safety net.
A Shared Purpose for a Safer Future
This spirit of collaboration is exemplified by Magellan’s ongoing support of the Railway Ball, an event that demonstrates what can be achieved when the rail industry comes together behind a shared purpose.
Because for some children, the most important journey they make is not from one destination to another. It’s towards a safer future.