Housing
Leaving Home
Nearly everyone leaves home sooner or later. Most young people live at home with their family or carers until they need to look for their own accommodation when they:
- leave to go to university
- move to a different area to start a job.
It is usually not a good idea to leave home on the spur of the moment. If you have had an argument with your family, try to work things out. Leaving home is not an easy option.
Under 16 and want to leave home?
If you are under 16 you can’t normally leave home unless there are serious problems such as abuse, bullying or violence. If this is the case get some help as quickly as you can:
- Ring Childline on free phone 0800 1111 - confidential telephone counselling service for children. Or contact them on the web
or - Speak to a Personal Adviser from Prospects IAG (Walsall)
16-17 and want to leave home?
If you are 16-17 you can move out if your parents or carers agree to it. If they don’t and you leave anyway, you could be reported to the police as a missing person and be returned home if it is felt you are at risk.
For some young people there are problems with being at home that would mean that you need to look for your own accommodation. If you are in this position why not:
- Speak to a Personal Adviser from Prospects IAG (Walsall)
- or
- contact one of the local helping agencies.
In Care?
If you have been looked after by a local authority you should talk to your Social Worker. He/she will work out a leaving care package with you to organise accommodation and apply for financial help.
If you are worried about any aspect of leaving care you should talk to social services. You can also talk to a Personal Adviser from Prospects IAG (Walsall)
Specialist websites for those in care include:
The National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS) Offers information, advice, advocacy and legal representation to children and young people up to the age of 25 including advice to young people on leaving care and their rights. You can call them on FREEPHONE 0800 61 61 01, send a text message to 0777 333 4555, or email help@nyas.net.
Why is it harder to find a place of your own when you’re younger?
Finding somewhere you can afford to live can be very hard whatever age you are but if you are young it can be even harder.
Why?
- Many private landlords aren’t keen on letting to younger people especially if they will be claiming housing benefit.
- Young people often have low incomes and no savings so it can be difficult to afford the deposit and the rent.
- You need to be 18 to get on many housing waiting lists.
Still planning to leave home?
The most important decision is to work out if you are ready to leave home. If you are keen to be independent there are lots of things to consider:
- Where do you want to live?
- Do you know how to find somewhere to live?
- What sort of accommodation do you want?
- Do you want to live on your own or with other people?
- Will you be able to cope with looking after yourself?
- Do you want furnished or unfurnished?
- How much rent/mortgage can you afford?
- How much would the Council Tax cost?
- Do you know what benefits you may be able to get and how to apply?
- How would you pay for gas/electricity/water/TV licence etc?
Leaving home is not an easy option, but if you feel it’s the right time for you to take that step then do make use of all the help and advice out there. Why not:
- speak to a Personal Adviser from Prospects IAG (Walsall)
- contact one of the local helping agencies.
