'Kicking' children out at 16...view please

paulofessex · 2 May 2010 at 6:56PM

One issue is the housing providers that provide accommodation for young people. The rents are so sky high l have been aware of some being told not to bother finding employment or training schemes as they wouldn't be able to afford the £100+ weekly rent, which of course Housing Benefit currently covers. There is nearly always a top-up rent payment that most get in arrears with. These providers gloat on about how they support the residents, however l feel the truth is that its all about money.

I can also say with confidence, this is the same with regard to domestic violence agenices. One of the initial questions a victim of abuse is asked when contacting a refuge is....are you in receipt or entitled to benefits. This is because the rents are so so high. One of the worst effected groups of women are from the asian coummunity, husband brings them over to the UK, holds on to all documents thus cannot prove or gain entitlement to benefits equals no refuge placement offered.

thorsoak · 2 May 2010 at 7:21PM

Something I had forgotten until I was talking to an old friend this afternoon - in 1961, at age 17, four friends of mine left home - to go into nursing! They all went to different training hospitals (local hospitals did not like taking local girls as it would be too easy for them to throw in the towel and go home) - one went to Bristol, two went to London and one went to Nottingham. They went into Nurses quarters and were subject to the same rules as students in college dorms ....they all became good nurses and had good careers - how many 17 year olds now would take the same commitment?????

Caz3121 · 2 May 2010 at 7:32PM

we are just about to have my dss come to live with us (just turned 17) he wanted to move in a year ago but his mum blocked it as she was going to lose £600+ per month in benefits and maintenance. Now that is stopping this year (he would be moving into an advanced course) she is chucking him out. Poor lad was devastated...been a lot of problems with her most recent live in partner but I don't think he thought she would actually kick him out but he is being positive and has an interview for college here next week and is now looking forward to it (his alternative if he did want to move here was going to be homelessness - his mates had been ribbing him about having to go to the YMCA as she was kicking him out)