Housing advice if you are under 16
I’m under 16 and I want to leave home – where can I go for help?
If you are having a hard time at home and arguing with your family, it can be very scary. It can be even worse if you think you might have to leave and become homeless. No matter what’s happening, you can get help from the Children’s Services team at East Sussex County Council.
If you think you might become homeless, call the Single Point of Advice (SPOA). Tell them you are under 16 and you’re worried about being homeless. They will help you talk to a social worker from Children’s Services who can help.
- Telephone: 01323 464222
What you tell us is confidential. We will only tell someone else if we think you are in danger.
I’m already homeless – what can I do?
It’s not too late to get help. Contact SPOA using the number above. They will give you support and advice.
What help can I expect?
The help you get depends on your situation. Your parents or carers are responsible for you, so most of the time we will try to help you go back home. We will do this by using ‘mediation’. This means we will try to help sort out the problems between you and your parents or carers. We also help make sure the same problems don’t happen again.
What if I can't solve the problems with my family?
If we can’t help fix the problems with your family, or if you are at risk of being hurt if you go home, the social worker will look at other options. These might include:
- Living with a foster family for a short or long time.
- Having a ‘family group conference’. This means bringing together your parents, your extended family, and other important people. The aim is to find a way to stop you from becoming homeless.
