Homelessness advice for 16 to 18 year olds

If you are homeless

You don’t have to be sleeping on the streets to be homeless. If you are staying somewhere you have no legal right to stay, like sofa surfing at a friend’s house or somewhere that is not safe for you, then you are homeless.

Children’s Social Care must help most homeless 16 and 17 year olds. In an emergency, they can help find somewhere safe for you to stay the night. You can contact Children's Social Care on 01344 352 020.

If you are 18 years old and homeless, the Housing Options Team can help. You can contact the Housing Options Team on 01344 352 010.

If you are a care leaver under the age of 25, contact your personal advisor at the Leaving Care Service on 01344 354 304.

Children's Social Care

Many young people need help with homelessness due to a breakdown in relationships with their parents.

The Children's Social Care Team will speak to your parents. They will want to learn more about the problem and if your parents want you to come home. 

Children’s Social Care have people who can talk to you and your parents to see if you can sort things out. They cannot force you to go home, especially if it is not safe for you because of violence or abuse. If you are at risk of harm, you must tell the team.

Even if you and your parents agree to talk, the team should still find you a place to stay while you sort things out.

If you contact Children's Social Care, they will:

  • arrange an emergency appointment for that day if you are going to be homeless that day, or within 24 hours
  • do an assessment to see if you are a 'child in need' (this legal term covers young people too) - if it's agreed you are, they can help you to:
    • find a place to live
    • get into training and education
    • tackle personal issues like drug or alcohol problems
  • in non-emergency situations, arrange a convenient date for an interview at the office as soon as possible
  • give confidential and impartial help over the phone
  • respond to your immediate needs
  • direct you to other services that can give you more help when appropriate

If you are 16 or over, your parents and Children’s Social Care cannot overrule your wishes or force you to go back home.

They have to take your wishes into account when assessing your accommodation needs. However, this does not necessarily mean that you will get exactly what you want.

It is important to be realistic. The type of accommodation you get depends on what is available that meets your needs.

They will also take into consideration your gender, ethnic and religious background when deciding how to help you.

You are entitled to ask for an independent advocate to help you have your say. This is someone who does not work for Children’s Social Care. It is their job to make sure your views are taken into account and to help you understand information. They will support you at meetings if that’s what you want.

They can also support you to make a complaint.

Housing options

If you are 16 or 17 and become homeless, Children's Social Care will normally find you accommodation. They have a duty to provide accommodation to a young person who meets the criteria for being homeless.

If you are found accommodation, you will become 'looked after'. This means you are entitled to the support given to all looked after children and young people, including:

  • social work support
  • pathway plans that include support with your education, employment and any personal issues

Once you reach 18, you will get support from the Leaving Care Service. If you are in employment or training, they can support you until the age of 25.

If you do not wish to be looked after, the Housing Options Team can refer you to a housing association called Look Ahead. They will get you a key worker who can support you with housing, finance issues and access to education and training.

Renting a room privately might be an option. However, it's very hard to get benefits if you're under 18 and that will make it difficult to afford the rent.

Bed and breakfast accommodation will only be considered in emergencies, in certain circumstances. It will not be considered at any other time. This is because it is unregulated and we cannot guarantee your safety.

The Housing Options Team can also give you housing advice and explain how to register for housing. You will not be eligible to hold a tenancy until you are 18 years of age.

You can also get support to return home if this is an option and it’s safe for you.

If you are living with a family friend and are under 18, depending on the circumstances, they may be able to claim child benefit and child tax credits. Everyone’s circumstances are different so you will need to get benefits advice.

Some young people don’t like the idea of being involved with Children’s Social Care. You don’t have to agree to it, but they can help with all your issues, not just housing.

If you don’t understand what is being offered to you or your rights, get independent advice. Do not refuse help until you understand all your options.

Other options

If Children's Social Care cannot help you, get independent advice as soon as you can.

Meanwhile, speak to someone from the Housing Options Team. Tell them you are homeless.

Advice services like Shelter and Citizens Advice Bureau can help you understand your rights and challenge decisions you think are wrong.

You can also make a complaint if you are unhappy with the help and support you get or with any decisions made by the council.

You can ask for an independent advocate to support you.

If you are thinking of leaving home

Leaving home is a major decision that you should not take lightly. Leaving home will give you more freedom. But, it also means you will have new responsibilities.

The best way to leave home is after careful thought and planning. Leaving your parental home at a very young age is hard, especially if you have nowhere to go. It should be the very last option. You could easily end up homeless.

To rent in the private sector, you will need to pay a deposit and rent in advance. You won't be eligible for a council home.

If you are experiencing problems at home, try to talk it through with someone you trust. This could be a friend, a teacher or an extended family member such as an aunt or uncle. If the situation becomes worse, see if there is a place you can go to for a night or two to let everyone cool down.

We may be able to provide mediation with your family to help talk through the problems.

Things may seem bad. But if you leave home unprepared, you may find yourself in a worse situation. You may also find it difficult to continue with your education.

If you feel you have to leave home now, for example because someone is being violent or abusive towards you, you must seek help right away.

There are a number of agencies who can help you:

  • Childline: 0800 1111 (free 24 hour support helpline for children and young people)
  • Women's Aid: 0808 2000 247 (free 24 hour helpline for victims of domestic violence)

Useful contacts

Shelter

You can contact Shelter by:

Citizen's Advice Bureau

You can contact Citizen's Advice Bureau by:

Complaints

Find more information about how to make a complaint.