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Leaving home and running away

There are a number of reasons that young people leave or run away from home. They may:

• be getting away from violence or an abusive relationship with a family member
• have been thrown out by their parents or carers
• have lost their parents

Because no-one under the age of 18 can sign a tenancy contract or mortgage agreement of their own, many homeless teens:

• are forced to sleep on the street
• get friends to lend them a bed or sofa for the night
• stay with another family

If you’re in any of these situations, you’ll be considered as officially homeless, so it’s really important to find out what your options are.

Running away is a big risk and is usually not the best or safest way of dealing with things.

• Running away from home and missing people

• Abusive relationships

• Domestic violence

Housing rights for under 16s

If you’re under 16, you can’t make the decision to leave home yourself, as an adult will need to take responsibility for you.

If you are having serious problems at home, your local authority can:

• help you sort things out with your parents
• arrange for you to live with another family member or adult, like a friend’s parent
• find you emergency accommodation if you are worried about violence or abuse at home

You’ll also be able to talk to a social worker about why you think you need to leave home.

The social worker will try to work out if there’s any way that you can return home. If living at home is too dangerous or impossible, they will look at other options including local authority care or living with a foster family.

• Read about life in local authority and foster care Opens new window

Housing rights if you're 16 or 17

Almost all 16 and 17 year olds are judged to be in ‘priority need’ when it comes to housing. This means the housing department of your local authority can help find you somewhere to live.

The exceptions are:

• if you have lived abroad and are not a British citizen
• if you have spent at least 13 weeks in care since the age of 14
• if you are classed as a ‘child in need’

If any of these apply to you, then the social services department will deal with your case.

Social services will check your situation to see if there’s any way you can return home, or go and live with another relative. They cannot force you to go back to anywhere you do not feel safe.

• Find your local authority Opens new window

• What is priority need for housing Opens new window

• Council housing (home and community section)

Housing rights if you're 18 or over

Once you're 18 years old, you have to apply to a local authority as being homeless to find out whether you qualify for housing.

Once you’ve completed your application, the authority will do a detailed investigation of your personal situation.

They will check:

• whether you need emergency accommodation while your application is being looked at
• whether it’s reasonable for you to stay in your current place
• whether your current accommodation suits your needs

If your homelessness application is unsuccessful, your local authority will send you a letter that explains why.

Even if this is the case, they may be able to give you more help and advice on finding somewhere to live.

You may also be able to get financial help and benefit payments to help with your living costs.

• Benefits for young people

• Get help applying as homeless from Shelter Opens new window

• Your options if your homelessness application is rejected Opens new window

Leaving foster or local authority care

If you’re planning to move from foster or local authority care, the financial help and support you can get depends on a number of factors, including:

• your age
• how long you have been in care
• how old you were when you went into care

To make sure you get a full picture of your housing rights before you leave care, talk to your nearest housing advice centre.

• Young people leaving care

• Find your nearest Citizens Advice or Shelter advice centre Opens new window

Housing for young parents

If you’re pregnant or already have children and you’re worried about your housing situation, your local council will put you in 'priority need' of housing.

• Housing advice for young parents from Shelter Opens new window

Organisations that can help with accommodation problems

Shelter

Shelter is a national charity that helps thousands of people every year with housing problems.

Although Shelter advisers can’t find you somewhere to live themselves, they can point you in the right direction once you have explained your situation.

They operate a free housing advice line and have a website packed with detailed advice about a range of housing issues.

• Get more housing advice for young people from Shelter Opens new window

The Foyer Federation

The Foyer Federation runs 134 buildings called ‘foyers’ around the UK.

As well as offering homeless young people somewhere to stay, foyers are also a place where young people can support each other.

Living in a foyer also gives you access to learning, training and advice on how to find a job and live independently.

• The Foyer Federation Opens new window

Useful contacts

• Young people contacts