Running away

This content applies to England only.

Housing laws vary between England and Scotland. This page applies to England only. Get advice relating to Scotland

There can be many reasons why you feel that running away from home is the only solution to your problems. Perhaps you don't get on with your family or you feel unsafe at home. Perhaps you are experiencing other problems outside the home, such as bullying or involvement with drugs.

Whatever the problem, there are organisations that can help you and it's never too late to try and sort out your situation. Getting help while you're still at home is usually a better option than running away.

What if I don't get on with my family?

Before packing your bags, try talking to someone else about the problem - a teacher, relative or the leader of a youth group, for example. You can also call ChildLine or the NSPCC for free and confidential advice.

A mediation service may be able to help sort out your problems with your family. Mediators do not decide 'who is right.' Instead, they help you resolve the arguments for yourselves.

What if I'm in danger at home?

If someone in your home is being violent or abusive towards you, you must get help immediately. If you are in this situation, you can:

• call the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247
• contact your local Women's Aid or local refuge
• call ChildLine or the NSPCC.

If you feel you have to get out straightaway, try to arrange somewhere to stay before you leave - with a friend or relative, in a refuge, hostel or bed and breakfast hotel, for example. Make sure you take a few necessities with you, such as:

• identification documents, such as your passport, driving licence and national insurance card - this is really important!
• a change of clothes and a warm coat
• money or cash cards
• your mobile phone and/or address book
• toiletries
• any medication you need, such as an inhaler, anti-epileptic drugs or antidepressants
• other important personal belongings, such as glasses.

If you are forced to leave your home because of violence or abuse, you can go to your local council's housing department and they should offer you somewhere to stay temporarily while they look into your situation.

Can my parents throw me out?

Once you are 16, if your parents ask you to leave, you will probably have to go.

If you find yourself in this situation, you should get advice immediately.

• Call Shelter's free housing advice helpline 0808 800 4444 for advice on where to stay
• Call ChildLine on 0800 1111 or the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 for help

Where can I go?

If you find yourself with nowhere to stay, there are several things you can do to get help. Find out more, through these links, about what you can do in an emergency and where you can stay.

Applying to the council as homeless

If you have to leave your home because your parents have thrown you out or because you are scared of violence or abuse, you may be able to get help from your local council. You don't have to be sleeping on the street to get help. If you are staying with a friend or in a hostel, you are still legally homeless.

If you are in this situation, you can make a homeless application to the council's housing department or homelessness unit. Even if the council offices are closed, there should be an emergency number you can call to get help. Use the Advice Services Directory or check out your council's website to find out the numbers to call in your area.

How can the council help?

If the council finds that you are in priority need they may be able to find you somewhere to stay while they look into your situation - a flat or hostel, for example. The council will then decide what kind of help it can offer you. This might be:

• help to find a new place to live
• help to find a new place to live and somewhere to stay until you can find a new home
• an offer of a permanent home. This may be a house or flat, or in supported accommodation such as a foyer.

You are more likely to get a permanent home if:

• you are 16 to 17
• you are 18 to 21 and have been in care or are vulnerable
• you are pregnant or responsible for children.

Find out more in the section on applying to the council as homeless.

Getting help from social services

If you are under 18, social services may be able to help you. Find out more, from this link, about what social services can do to help.

What if I end up sleeping on the street?

Sleeping rough is particularly dangerous for young people. If you find yourself in this position, get advice from a helpline, a housing aid centre or another homelessness agency as soon as possible.

Where can I get help and advice?

The page on getting advice has links to lots of organisations that you can contact if you're feeling unhappy or unsafe at home and if you've problems outside the home, such as bullying, involvement with drugs and alcohol, or relationship problems.