17 Year Old Chucked Out Of His Home

[RandyMarsh]

we have had a friend of my daughter stay with us for a few nights as they have been chucked out by their mother. This is the 2nd time they have been thrown out in the last year, the last time they were back at home after a few days.

I am told that they have been chucked out because mother cannot afford to keep them.

They had council backed mediation this morning and got no where.

Would you call the mother and ask her why I am sheltering her offspring?

Anyone know what the council have to do to help this person?

[Tuvok]

Depends what country you are in

http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2009/04/02155040/2

[wolf63]

Is it just the one child or has she thrown others out too?

[RandyMarsh]

He has a brother but he is 9 years old.

[Jackdaw33]

This looks like a classic case of confusion when people use 'they' for he/she'.

[RandyMarsh]

I did not want to confirm whether it was a boy or a girl in the question but of course had in the title, not sure why but, hey, thanks for some really good feedback.

[anneasquith]

Is the youth in full time education ?

[RandyMarsh]

No, Anne, he works part time. Is looking for a full time job.

[Cloverjo]

He should be eligible for some help from Social Services, the council or DWP.
The mother sounds like a nightmare. You don't chuck your child out at age 17 because you can't afford to keep him.
I think children under 25 are eligible for more help than others if they're estranged from their parents.

[anneasquith]

Obviously this is a concern for you ra dy, I wonder if there are 2 sides to this story? I'd suggest an appointment with , social work department. Housing. CAB. Any extended family who would assist this young person?

[RandyMarsh]

Thank you both for your answers, I do wonder if I am getting the full Story. I will ask when I get home later.

[Jackdaw33]

The use of the term 'can't afford' is interesting. It does not necessarily refer to money.

[EDDIE51]

If he is 17 he has to be still at school, you can't leave until you are 18, and his mother will be getting child benefit for him. If he has left home or been thrown out she loses the child benefit.

[anneasquith]

Is it not 16 years old Eddie?

[EDDIE51]

^^ No it changed to 18 a while back. You can't leave school or other full time education until the first official 'leaving date' after your 18th birthday.

[hc4361]

That only applies to England, Eddie, not Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

[hc4361]

And in England you can leave school at 16 and go in to part time education whilst volunteering for 20 hours a week. I'm not sure what 'part time education' entails

[MallyJ]

I thought that a young person could leave full time education if s/he was in work or had taken up an apprenticeship.

[hc4361]

England
You can leave school on the last Friday in June if you’ll be 16 by the end of the summer holidays.

You must then do one of the following until you’re 18:

stay in full-time education, eg at a college
start an apprenticeship or traineeship
work or volunteer (for 20 hours or more a week) while in part-time education or training
https://www.gov.uk/know-when-you-can-leave-school

[hc4361]

If he is in England there is very useful information here:

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/homelessness/whats_your_situation/young_people_facing_homelessness

[RandyMarsh]

Thank you all.