Accommodation that Social Services can offer

> Social services have to listen to what you want.
> There should be a range of choices that may be available.

Under 16 years?
It is likely that you will be offered three things:

> Support to go home
> Foster care
> Residential care

In most cases you will be given support to go home, or support to live with other family members, or possibly friends. Only in the most risky circumstances might an alternative placement be found.

If you are over 16 years?
The accommodation options could be any of these:

> Bed and Breakfast
> Shared Housing
> Supported Housing
> Hostel
> Foster Care for Teenagers
> Residential Care

If you are homeless and have no where to stay, you should tell social services if your health has suffered because of sleeping on the street, or you are at risk of sexual assault, violence or prostitution. Having nowhere to live or moving from place to place, can lesson your chances of getting a job, training scheme or qualifications. It can also harm your relationships with friends and your family.

> If social services decide that you are in need, they should provide accommodation and/or support, taking into account your needs and wishes.

> What they can provide will depend on what is available in your area, so you need to be realistic about what you ask for and be prepared to be flexible after taking advice.

> If you need support as well as accommodation, you might be offered professional support in the form of a personal adviser or specialist agency, counselling, financial support, help finding work or supported housing.

If aged between 18 and 21?
Social services have a responsibility towards people between 18 and 21 if, after the age of 16, they have:

> been in care
> been in foster care
> been housed by social services

If this applies to you, social services should help you find somewhere to live. This could mean helping you find a flat or a place in hostel. If you are really stuck they may offer to pay the deposit on a private rented flat. They should also help you furnish a flat. This doesn’t mean that they have to buy you furniture but they might help you apply to the Benefits Agency for a grant and loan. Alternatively, they may be able to recommend an organisation that provides furniture free of charge or for a small fee.

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