Missing People’s Turn2 Directory, a new online resource to benefit children and young people who go missing from home or care, launched today (10 January 2012).

Turn2 Directory enables young people to find support by seeing the location of projects in their area using Google Maps and to plot a route to safety.

For the last 6 months the charity has been piloting Turn2 Directory which has already helped to safeguard some of the country’s most vulnerable young people.

Director of Services Jo Youle explained, “One young girl aged 15 called the charity on a cold winter’s day having been kicked out of home by her mum with nothing, not even her coat. The charity searched Turn 2 Directory and were able to refer her to a local project which we could see on the map was within walking distance from her phone box. Because the Turn2 Directory listed the opening hours we could confirm that it was open so she could go along and get some practical help right away.”

Turn2 Directory is searchable, interactive and contains up-to-date details of hundreds of projects across the UK which could help a young person who goes missing. Turn2 Directory also includes national services such as Missing People’s free 24-hour helpline, and is kept up to date with any changes in provision available. You can find Turn2 Directory in the Young People pages of the Missing People Website.

Jo Youle continued: “Children who go missing are at an increased risk of child sexual exploitation and the Turn2 Directory has an important role to play, helping professionals, parents, carers and young people to find a place of safety in their hour of need, rather than having to take offers from strangers. However it can only ever be as good as local provision which is contingent on local funding of which much is under threat.”

The charity held a series of consultations with young people who helped to define and shape the database into an appropriate resource for vulnerable children. Nick* (16) said “You need quick answers of how to solve your problems. You need clear, easy advice so you are not all on your own.”

Turn2 Directory is supported by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) and the English Coalition for Runaway Children.  It was made possible thanks to funding from Oak Philanthropy (UK) Ltd and the Department for Education.

Missing People is encouraging any projects that wish to be included to make contact by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Turn2 Directory is available on Missing People’s website at www.missingpeople.org.uk/turn2

*Not his real name