Homeless

Most children (up to age 18) live with their parents/carers. There are benefits available to help with this.

All children should have a safe space to live. Any place you are staying should be:

• Suitable for children and safe
• Supporting you to stay in learning until you are 18

Usually this will be with your parents and carers, but if things are starting to go wrong, you need to get the best advice right away.

Take action: Find information from Childline about what to do if you are thinking about running away from home.  

Support is available 

If you are homeless or about to be homeless, support is available: 

• Over 18s - contact Shelter Emergency Helpline (0808 800 4444) and your local council
• Under 18s or U25s who have have been in care should contact Oxfordshire social and health care or your local Health and Social Care

Someone to talk to 

If you are having difficulties at home, there are lots of people you can talk to. 

• Someone at your place of learning or activity club
• The School Health Nurse Service
• Childline

It is normal to have some arguments with the people you live with. But if things are getting difficult, you may need to get help. 

Crucial: You don't need to solve problems on your own. Start by talking with a trusted adult, like a school health nurse.

More people who can help

Local support to help people having difficulties at home is available. These include:

• Banbury Young Homeless Project
• Connections Floating Support
• Crisis Skylight Oxford 

If there are difficulties preventing you from seeking support, you can access support confidential services, such as:

• Runaway Helpline
• Childline
• Shelter Emergency Helpline on 0808 800 4444.

Crucial: If you can't phone for help, for example if you are out of credit or battery, you can get help from the police, school, and any shop showing the Safe Places logo.

Help someone who is sleeping rough

If you are worried about someone sleeping rough, you can notify StreetLink to get them the support they need. You will need to fill in a short form.

 Crucial: If you believe the person sleeping rough is a child (under 18) then call the police right away on 999.