Search

Centrepoint’s legal team help young people get the justice they deserve

22nd October 2021 Nabila Mirza, Legal Administrator/Youth Network Coordinator

Our legal team make up a vital part of the service we offer young people at Centrepoint. For those seeking legal support, it can be incredibly difficult to attain without financial aid, and so many often go without. Centrepoint is here to help change that. Nabila, a legal administrator coming to the end of a secondment with the Legal Team, tells us about what she has learnt during her time with the department and the important service they provide.

How Centrepoint supports young refugees and asylum seekers

16th December 2021 Pascale Day, Senior Editorial and Web Officer

Centrepoint’s goal is to help vulnerable young people become independent enough to live a good life that they can thrive in. And we are open to all homeless young people, regardless of their geographical circumstances. Whether they’ve been kicked out of their family home in London or have travelled to the UK as an unaccompanied minor, we’re here to help.

Families under pressure: preventing family breakdown and youth homelessness

Abigail Gill

Our research looks at the key reasons why relationships breakdown and the kinds of pressures faced by families.

Left out: Centrepoint COVID and rough sleeping report

This research report explores the growing number of young people sleeping rough during the pandemic and evaluates the support that is available to them.

Locked Out: youth homelessness during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic

This report highlights the state of youth homelessness during and beyond the pandemic and is based on a survey of English councils, analysis of Centrepoint’s Helpline data, and interviews with local authority and Centrepoint staff.

Oxera report

As part of a Centrepoint research project looking at how homeless young people access the social security system, Oxera were commissioned to provide a backward-looking assessment of the impact that the social security system has had on young people under the age of 25 (under 25s) between 1988 and 2020. In light of this, Oxera also undertook a forward-looking cost–benefit analysis (CBA) to analyse the impact of six different policy recommendations provided by Centrepoint regarding the social security system in the UK.

Benefits to society: homeless young people’s experiences of the social security system

The social security system is a vital lifeline for thousands of young people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage across the UK. However, this peer-led research project into the benefits system finds that in many areas, the system is falling short of providing the support and resources that young people need.

A year like no other: Youth homelessness during the COVID pandemic

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been unprecedented. Since the UK went into its first lockdown in March 2020, the Government has channelled funding of over £700 million to help prevent homelessness and provide emergency accommodation for rough sleepers as part of the Everyone In scheme.

David Monteith Hodge

Aimee's story: My disability doesn't define me

Tamsin Clements

Aimee, 18, is a young rapper with cerebral palsy. She became homeless in the middle of winter following a family breakdown. She was placed in a homeless hostel before being referred to Centrepoint where she has been given a self-contained flat and supported to develop independent living skills and advocate for herself. She recently won a Centrepoint 2024 Award presented to her, by Centrepoint's Patron, Prince William.

Escaping the trap: supporting homeless young people affected by youth violence and criminal exploitation

Billy Harding

Young people experiencing homelessness, who are among society’s most vulnerable and isolated groups, face significant risks from criminal exploitation and serious youth violence. There is overlap between many of the factors understood to drive both youth violence and youth homelessness, such as poverty and exclusion, family breakdown, experiences leaving care and other state institutions, and difficulties with mental health and trauma. Homelessness can also increase young people’s exposure to violence and exploitation, whether in hostels, sofa surfing and in insecure accommodation, or sleeping rough.