How to get support with homelessness if you’re aged 16-18

If you are 16 -18 and are homeless right now, or think you’re in danger of becoming homeless soon, we’re here for you with information about what help there is available.

Whether you’re sleeping rough outdoors or staying temporarily with someone because you have nowhere else to live, there is support available.

On this page we offer you various ways to find guidance and advice, help you learn what your housing options are, how to contact your local council for help and more.

What should I do first?

If you are homeless, or you would like to help someone who has a housing need, the quickest way to get help is to contact StreetLink, the homelessness referral service for England and Wales.

StreetLink can connect people experiencing homelessness with local outreach teams or other support in their local area. The service accepts calls from the public and self-referrals from those in need.

You can call them on 0300 500 0914 or visit their website www.streetlink.org.uk.

Who else can help me?

Social services – otherwise known as children’s services – have the main responsibility for housing and support for people who are under 18 and homeless. Even if you go through the homeless team at StreetLink, you will usually be referred to children’s services.

Social services can give you support and find you somewhere to stay if you:

• • Can’t return home and have nowhere else to live.
  • Are staying with friends or another family and have been asked to leave.
  • Are unsafe at home, for example because you’re at risk of violence or abuse.
  • Are seeking asylum and have no family in the UK that you can live with.

How do I contact children’s services?

If you find yourself without a home or in danger of becoming homeless, it’s important to reach out to the children’s services department of your local council. They have a legal duty to ensure you are provided with a secure place to live.

Enter your postcode on the GOV.UK’s website to find your local council and then search for social services or children’s services.

If you’re in school or college and nervous about approaching children’s services, you can reach out to a teacher or member of staff who can support you through the process.

What to do if you are worried you may become homeless.

A number of local YMCAs accept emergency and self-referrals. YMCA England & Wales is the largest voluntary provider of supported housing for young people in England and Wales. They provide 9,466 beds each night and altogether house and holistically support 20,357 people, enabling them to build their lives from a stable base.

You can find local YMCAs offering housing across England and Wales on our website, together with contact numbers: Find Your Local YMCA.

Please use the ‘Categories’ function and select ‘YMCAs with accommodation’ to filter accordingly.

Other than YMCA, a number of organisations can provide support and guidance if you are in a housing crisis.

Options include:

Your local council’s Housing Department. You can find contact details for your local council using the directory service for referral requests.

Citizens Advice offers practical, impartial information on housing rights on both a national and local level, including issues with landlords etc.

Samaritans. If you’re experiencing mental health issues, or feeling low or suicidal, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123, who provide a free listening service and may signpost you to other services.

Can I legally leave home at 16 or 17?

Yes. When you’re 16 or over, you have the right to leave home without your parent’s or carer’s permission. Your parents or carers also have the right to ask you to leave. If you decide to move out or run away, your parents or carers can call the police, but they’re unlikely to take you back unless you’re in an unsafe situation.

There can be many reasons why you might want to leave home. You might want to live with a partner or friends; you might have your own child to care for; you might feel unsafe staying at home.

Then again, your parents may have reasons for asking you to leave home once you reach 16 – they might feel unable to support you financially, or because of a breakdown in relationships.

I don’t feel safe at home. What should I do?

If you are in immediate danger, please call 999.

If you’re under 18 and someone is being violent, abusive or using threatening behaviour, contact social services and tell them you are experiencing domestic abuse. In this case you should be considered a priority for support with housing from your local council.

Find your local council website via GOV.UK and then search for social services or children’s services.

Types of housing the council might offer you at 16 or 17.

• A hostel
• A foster carer’s home
• A shared house with other young people
• A volunteer’s home through a Nightstop scheme for young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness

You’re advised to accept what the council offers – you might not be offered anything else if you turn it down.

Ongoing help after you turn 18.

You’re considered to be ‘looked after’ or ‘in care’ if you accept living accommodation provided by social services while you’re 16 or 17. When you turn 18, you’ll usually be helped to find longer term housing.

If you become homeless again while you’re under 21, you’re said to have a priority need if, for instance, you’re responsible for a child who normally lives with you, are homeless because of domestic abuse, or qualify as vulnerable (at risk of harm if homeless).

If you’re in care for more than 13 weeks, you can get advice and support from social services until your 25th birthday.