Looking for help?

If you are looking for help about a missing child or would like to report information about a missing child, call the 116 000 hotline:

Call 116 000 now

About the Network

Our network of missing children hotlines is operated by national organisations in 31 countries across Europe. Children and families calling the European hotline receive free and immediate emotional, psychological, social, legal and administrative support 24 / 7.

FAQs

When to call the hotline?

Call the hotline if you are a:

  • child who is missing from home / care or a child who is thinking of leaving home / care
  • parent or carer of a missing child
  • child, young person, or adult who has information about a missing child

What to do if a child goes missing?

Make a report to the police if you know of a child who has gone missing. This can be done by anybody, not just the parents or carers. You may also call the 116 000 hotline for support, advice, and to share valuable information about a missing child.

Who answers the calls?

Professionally trained Hotline Operators.

Does the 116 000 hotline work in my country?

The 116 000 number works in 32 countries in Europe. You can find the list of countries here.

The 116 000 hotline is not available in my country, who can I contact instead?

Always contact your national police to report a missing child or to share information relating to a missing child.

Other national hotlines or children’s organisations are available in your country, you can find this online.

Who can call the 116 000 hotline?

Everyone. Children, young people, parents or carers, families, and third party adults.

If you know about a missing child or if you know of a child at risk of going missing, the 116 000 hotline will be able to support you.

What information am I required to give when I call the 116 000 hotline?

You will be asked for details related to the missing child and their circumstances.

The more information provided the more help this will be for the protection of the child.

Are the calls recorded?

No, the calls are not recorded.

Do I have to share my details, I want to remain anonymous?

No, you do not have to share your details. Only share your details should you wish to.

Young Queer & Supported Online Training: Ensuring safer services for LGBTQI+ children and youth at risk of exclusion and homelessness

February 12, 2026
|In Children who run away, Highlight
|By patriciamorais

Young Queer & Supported Online Training: Ensuring safer services for LGBTQI+ children and youth at risk of exclusion and homelessness

A new free online training taking place this February aims to strengthen professional responses to LGBTIQ+ children and young people at risk of exclusion and homelessness.

Across Europe and the UK, countless LGBTIQ+ young people under 18 leave home, or are forced out, because of who they are. Some find support from relatives or friends, but many must turn to youth services, shelters, hotlines, and social protection systems that may not always be fully equipped to respond to their specific needs.

‘Young, Queer and Supported: Ensuring safer services for LGBTQI+ children and youth at risk of exclusion and homelessness’ is a free online training developed as part of the Young, Queer and Away from Home (YQA) project to address these gaps and strengthen professional responses.

The training is specifically designed for professionals, volunteers, and activists working with young people and children, particularly those engaged in youth support, protection, housing, and helpline services. The training builds on in-depth research into the lived experiences of LGBTIQ+ young people who had to live away from home before turning 18.

 

What participants will gain

Participants will:

  • Strengthen their understanding of the diversity of LGBTIQ+ identities
  • Develop skills to have informed and supportive conversations with young people questioning their sexuality or gender
  • Better understand intersectional discrimination and its impact
  • Identify systemic barriers that limit access to services
  • Gain practical tools to make services safer, more inclusive, and more accessible

 

Who is the training for?

This training is targeted at:

  • Professionals working in youth shelters
  • Child hotlines and helplines
  • Youth protection and assistance services
  • Youth and children support organisations
  • Youth workers more broadly

Participants must be 18 years or older.

 

When?

The training will take place twice (identical sessions — please register for only one date):

  • Tuesday 17 February 2026 | 15:00–17:00 CET – Register
  • Friday 20 February 2026 | 11:00–13:00 CET – Register

Registration is free and available via:

https://iglyo.org/yqa#training

Professionals working directly with young people are uniquely positioned to make services safer and more inclusive. We encourage eligible practitioners to register and share this opportunity within their networks.

For more information: https://iglyo.org/yqa#training

 

 

About the Young, Queer and Away from Home Project

Young, Queer & Away from Home is a 2-year project studying the views and lived experiences of LGBTIQ+ young people who had to live away from their home before turning 18 in the EU or the UK (e.g. they were kicked out, ran away, were homeless, had to stay in a shelter or with friends/other relatives, etc). The project is co-led by Missing Children Europe, IGLYO — The International LGBTQI+ Youth & Student Organisation, and the University of Portsmouth.

Through research, an online training for professionals, a resource hub, an awareness-raising campaign and policy recommendations, we aim to support LGBTIQ+ young people and children under 18 who are at risk of homelessness and exclusion from their home, as well as to provide relevant professionals and service providers with the right tools to support them.

Loading...