Housing / Homelessness

The person who looks after you in the local council, your Personal Adviser, must tell you what is available for you to move to when you leave care. Ask them what you are entitled to in the way of ‘Setting Up Home Allowances’ also known as ‘Leaving Care Grantshttps://www.gov.uk/leaving-foster-or-local-authority-care

The housing charity Shelter has a website with useful information about what you are entitled to https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/homelessness/housing_help_and_homelessness_if_you_are_a_care_leaver

If you are moved to a place where you don’t feel safe for any reason then tell the person who looks after you in the council. If they don’t help you then contact one of these organisations that help young people stand up for their rights

Coram Voice https://coramvoice.org.uk

National Youth Advocacy Service https://www.nyas.net

Are you Homeless?

If you’re under 18, contact your Personal Adviser at Children’s Services who should treat you as what they call a ‘child in need’ of emergency accommodation https://www.gov.uk/your-rights-to-housing-if-youre-under-18

If you are between 18 and 25 you have the right to be supported by the council so contact your Personal Adviser

If you don’t get support from the council these sites can help:

Centrepoint https://centrepoint.org.uk/do-you-need-help/i-need-help-now/im-care-leaver

Shelter https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/homelessness/temporary_housing_if_youre_homeless/help_if_youre_16_to_25_years_old

Homeless Link type where you are into the search box and you will see the nearest homeless shelters https://homeless.org.uk/homeless-england/

If you are homeless (and over 18) you can still apply for Universal Credit. Tap this link to find out more https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-homeless-people/universal-credit-and-homeless-people-guide-for-supporting-organisations

You can open a bank account even if you have no fixed address https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/homelessness/how_to_open_a_bank_account

Housing charity for members of the LGBTQ+ community https://www.akt.org.uk/get-immediate-support/

Are you sleeping rough (on the streets)?

https://centrepoint.org.uk/youth-homelessness/get-help-now/i-am-a-young-person/help-when-youre-sleeping-rough/

Streetlink https://thestreetlink.org.uk