You might have been threatened to be kicked out of home, or your parents may already have asked you to leave.
You might be staying at a friend’s house some nights or every night because you don’t feel safe at home. Or you might have been kicked out of home overnight as a “punishment” or told you can return only if you behave in a certain way.
Even if you’re still at home, if you’ve been threatened to leave, or you feel unsafe and you’re considering leaving to protect yourself, you are considered to be at risk of homelessness.
You can ask the council for help if you’re in these situations.
The support you’re entitled to will depend on whether you are over 18 or under 18.
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What to do if you're being threatened to leave
Family mediation
What to do if you’ve been kicked out of home
Other support and help
I need help now
If you’re already homeless and need somewhere safe to stay, get in touch with the Centrepoint Helpline to find out your options.
What should I do if I’m being threatened to leave?
If you have been threatened to be kicked out of home, you are at risk of homelessness.
You are entitled to support from your council if you believe you could become homeless within the next eight weeks.
Talk to your council if you’ve been threatened to be kicked out of home.
You may also want to reach out to organisations that could help you with specific circumstances, such as fear of being asked to leave due to being LGBTQ+.
It could be helpful to gather any important documents while you’re still at home, such as:
- your passport
- birth certificate
- any other proof of identity documents
- exam certificates
- debit or credit cards
Keep them in a safe, accessible place. You may also want to pack a bag with any essentials you need if you have to leave quickly, such as medications, a change of clothes, a mobile phone charger and a way of paying for transport.
It could be safer to keep these things outside of home, with a trusted friend or someone at college or work, if you’re worried you could be asked to leave with very little notice or have these things withheld from you.
If you’re at college or university, reach out to student services and let them know what’s going on at home. They may be able to give you additional support and ensure your situation is taken into account with deadlines and examinations. They can sometimes offer temporary accommodation or extended housing contracts if you’re worried you might have nowhere else to go outside of term time.
Talk to the Centrepoint Helpline for more advice on what to do if you’re being threatened to leave by your parents.
Family mediation
Problems with family relationships are one of the leading causes of homelessness for young people. Sometimes, family mediation might be able to support you and your family to improve your relationship and stay at home. If your parents are separating, it can ensure you have an agreement on where you will stay.
Family mediation is when you and your family meet with a trained professional to understand the issues and find a solution or appropriate way forward. They have a neutral perspective on the situation, and part of their job is to look at everything going on without taking sides. You will usually meet with the mediator individually, and then together as a family. In some cases, you might not meet with your family, but the mediator can relay messages between you.
It can be especially helpful when emotions are high and communication has become very difficult. Family mediation focuses on finding practical solutions and agreements to help you find a way forward.
When you speak to your council, ask if they can support your family with mediation.
What to do if you’ve been kicked out of home
I’m under 18
The law says that you’re still a child, even though you might not feel like one. This means that Children's Services (also sometimes known as social services) have a responsibility to support you if you've been kicked out of home.
Read what you can do if you’ve been kicked out of your home and you’re under 18.
I’m over 18
If you’re over 18, you are legally considered an adult. You would need to contact your local council's housing department for support. Get in touch with your council as soon as possible.
In England, your local council has a duty to help you if you won’t have a home in the next eight weeks. Your legal right to this support comes under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. The support you’re entitled to may vary depending on your circumstances and needs.
More information from Centrepoint:
- Talking to your council and your entitlement
- What to do if you’re rough sleeping
- What to do if you’re staying at a friend or partner’s house or ‘sofa surfing’
Where to find more support
Talk to Centrepoint
You can talk to the Centrepoint Helpline for support and advice if you’re homeless or worried you might be at risk.
Other organisations
Shelter has more advice about leaving home when you’re having problems with your family.
Depaul may be able to help you with its Reconnect family mediation support.
LGBTQ+ support
AKT are the national LGBTQ+ youth homelessness charity and offer specialised support and advice.
Stonewall Housing support LGBTQ+ people of all ages who need support and advice when facing homelessness.
Domestic abuse and violence
If you’re at risk of domestic abuse or violence, read our information for advice and organisations who can help you.