16 Yr Old..Homeless?

SSB

Hi

16 year is classed as vulnerable therefore social services can get involved. However, they often do not since their workload is already heavy. 16 year olds can be housed in supported housing, eg; accommodation which includes a support/project worker ( Foyer, YMCA, certain Housing Associations) but she will not be able to obtain general needs housing from local authority.

If you can house her, this would be preferable since she will be able to have family around her otherwise it can be a very tough situation trying to cope in unknown environment and study at the same time.

TAG

I just wanted to add that when I was 16 I was found a foster home by social services. Very long story, but as I was still under 17 they were under some sort of obligation to do something.

I really don't know what the arrangement was with my foster family. But there were 3 of us 'waifs and strays' as my foster mum used to call us. Me 16, Paul 17 and Jo 18 I think she was.

This was back in 1987/88 so it may be different now. But prehaps it would be worth phoning to get some information.

Incidentley, when I was 15 I also went to live with my best mate. And her mother was paid for the time I was there until they could place me properly.

Oh, just for the record I wasn't really that naughty either. Just very frustrated, misunderstood and upset about my parents divorce and being sent to a school I loathed from day one.

Good Luck

Floss

loopylass wrote: »

he gets EMA and we still get child benefit and child tax i rang both up the other month because i thought they both stopped when the child reaches 19 but they informed methey stop it at the age of 20

Child Benefit & Child Tax Credit both stop the end of August after the child is 18 - if in full-time non-higher education, i.e. NOT on a degree course. Last payment usually first week in Spetember after "A" level results.

ellas9602

Thanks for all the advice given.

We met with hardship people today and they gave a £30 payment they have also made appointments for us to make a claim for income support which she is entitled to as an estranged child, she will also be entitled to EMA when she starts receiving IS and can also have full housing benefit when the time is right. She'll stay with us for now and look for her own place after xmas, bless her
thanks again x

Savvy_Sue

Do look into the supported housing options, there's more in some areas than others but round here there's a foyer and a youth housing association. 16's very young to be completely independent, in the places I've mentioned there would be independence but help with it, IYSWIM, checking rent was paid, giving help with cooking and budgeting etc. Plus she'll probably need a guarantor for renting. Connexions SHOULD be able to advise you further.

Good luck to her and you ...

vij

if you are willing and have space etc social services may well help pay towards you looking after her until she is 18 esp if there are special circumstances.

ixwood

What a nice thing to do. Bless ya.

She's not going anywhere! On the bright side, she's almost an adult now. Lookm after her for a year ir 2 and you'll have a fall back option for looking after you when you're old.

beverleyhills

ellas9602 wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice given.

We met with hardship people today and they gave a £30 payment they have also made appointments for us to make a claim for income support which she is entitled to as an estranged child, she will also be entitled to EMA when she starts receiving IS and can also have full housing benefit when the time is right. She'll stay with us for now and look for her own place after xmas, bless her
thanks again x

Congratulations for what you are doing. There must be a lot of love in your house

Vickicb

You might find there are local churches who have supported housing. I had a girl living with me from 16-18 (she got EMA and IS, but you will not be entitled to CB due to the IS). When she moved on from us she moved into supported housing run by a church and spent a year there. They looked after her well and she's now living completely indpendently.

Fran

Vickicb wrote: »

....she got EMA and IS, but you will not be entitled to CB due to the IS)....

Do you mean Child Benefit (CB)? All children's parents/guardians are entitled to Child Benefit for a child. If you mean Child Tax Credits, the parent/guardian can apply for that and will receive if their income is low enough.