Youth homelessness

Leaving home is a normal thing to do at some stage in your life, but it doesn't mean that it's an easy option. 

Unless you are in danger at home or have been told you have to leave right away, take your time and think about it. Living by yourself is a huge step.

Help and advice

The following organisations offer help and advice on leaving or remaining in your home:

Leaving foster or local authority care

If you're moving from foster or local authority care, the financial help and support you can get depends on a number of things, including:

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

Housing rights for under 16s

If you're under 16, an adult is required to take responsibility for your wellbeing. So, you can't make the decision to leave home yourself.

If you are having serious problems at home, we can:

  • help you work out if there's any way that you can stay at home.
  • arrange for you to live with another family member or adult, like a friend's parent.
  • look into local authority care or living with a foster family.
  • find you emergency accommodation if you are worried about violence or abuse at home.
  • try to work out if there's any way that you can return home. If living at home is too dangerous or impossible, we will look at other options including local authority care or living with a foster family.

Housing rights if you're 16 or over

Once you're aged 16, you can apply for council housing and make a homeless presentation if required.

To find out whether you qualify for housing, get in touch with the homeless team on the details below.

When you send in your application, we will assess whether:

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

If your homelessness application is unsuccessful, we will let you know of benefits or financial help you may be entitled to.

Support services

There are a number of resources and support services available to young people in Scotland. 

These services are free to use and ensure young people have access to expert youth-specific services to help avoid, survive and move on from homelessness:

If you’re not safe at home

If you are in danger of violence or abuse in your home, it may be essential that you get out immediately. 

If it is possible to arrange somewhere safe to stay at short notice, and there are people who can help you, plan how to leave and where to go as safely as possible.

Try to remember to take important documents like your birth certificate, driving licence and passport with you. You might need identification - do not put your safety at risk to get them though.

If you can take money, medication, clothing, toiletries and belongings that are important to you, then do so. If it is not safe to take any or all of these things then leave them and try to get emergency supplies.

Childline

If you're a victim of domestic abuse and you're worried about reporting it to the police, you can call Childline 24 hours a day

  • 0800 1111

They'll let you know exactly what will happen if you tell someone about your situation and help you work out what to do next.

Calls to Childline are free and they'll never appear on your phone bill.

Sleeping rough

Sleeping on the streets is very dangerous. Always try to get advice and assistance as soon as possible - preferably before you have nowhere to live.

If you do find yourself having to sleep rough:

  • wear layers if possible - layers of clothing, blankets, paper etc. will help to keep you warm when you are sleeping outside
  • try to stay in well-lit areas
  • use charities and services that offer services to rough sleepers, including help to get you back on your feet and put you in touch with the people who can find you accommodation

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