Running away

You may think 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 having problems outside the home, such as bullying.

Whatever your problem, there are many 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.

If you are planning to run away, our checklist can help prepare you.

I don't get on with my family.

Before leaving home, talk to someone about the problem, for example a teacher, relative or youth leader.

If you're under 16 and thinking of leaving home, telephone Childline on 0800 1111. Childline is open 24 hours a day. Childline advisers can help with many problems - not just housing.

You can also telephone the Children's Law Centre on 0808 808 5679. The Children's Law Centre can give you advice on your rights in Northern Ireland.

Whatever you say to an adviser is usually just between you and the adviser. They won't contact anyone else about your situation unless you agree to it or you're in danger.

A mediation service may be able to help you sort out your problems with your family. Mediators do not decide who is right or wrong, instead they help you resolve arguments for yourselves. Your Housing Executive District Office may have a mediation service, or you can contact Mediation Northern Ireland.

I'm in danger at home.

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

telephone Women's Aid 24 hours a day on 028 9033 1818.
telephone ChildLine or the NSPCC.

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

identification documents such as your passport, driving licence and national insurance card;
clothes and a warm coat;
money or cash cards;
your mobile phone and address book;
toiletries;
any medication you need, such as an inhaler, antiepileptic drugs, insulin or antidepressants;
other important personal belongings, such as glasses.

If you are forced to leave your home because of violence or abuse, go to the Housing Executive. The Housing Executive has a legal duty to give housing advice and information on preventing homelessness to anyone who asks in Northern Ireland. The Housing Executive may be able to offer you somewhere to stay as temporary accommodation.

Can my parents throw me out?

Once you are 16, if your parents ask you to leave, you will probably have to go. Contact an advice agency if you find yourself in this situation.

An adviser can look at your situation and help you decide what's best for you. For example:

if you want to stay at home, an adviser can put you in touch with a mediator who can help you talk to your family;
if you want to move out, an adviser can go through your housing options with you or help you make a homeless application to the Housing Executive.

Telephone ChildLine on 0800 1111, the Children's Law Centre on 0808 808 5679 or the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 for help.

Where can I go?

If you find yourself with nowhere to stay, you should try and avoid sleeping on the streets.

Can the Housing Executive help me?

If you have to leave your home because your parents have thrown you out or because you are scared of violence or abuse, you can get help from the Housing Executive. The Housing Executive has a legal duty to give housing advice and information on preventing homelessness to anyone who asks in Northern Ireland.

You don't have to sleep on the street to get help. If you are staying with a friend or in a hostel, you are legally homeless.

If you are in this situation, make a homeless application to the Housing Executive. If it is outside office hours, telephone the emergency number.

How can the Housing Executive help?

You will only get somewhere to stay if you pass some of the homelessness tests. You will only be entitled to temporary accommodation if the Housing Executive decides that you are homeless and that you are in priority need.

There are four strict tests for homelessness. You need to pass all four tests before you will be eligible for a permanent home. The Housing Executive decides if:

you are homeless;
you are eligible for assistance;
you are in priority need;
you are homeless through no fault of your own.

You are more likely to get a permanent home if:

you are under 21 and have been in care or are vulnerable;
you are pregnant or responsible for children.

What if the Housing Executive won't help me?

The Housing Executive has a legal duty to give housing advice and information on preventing homelessness to anyone who asks in Northern Ireland.

If the Housing Executive won't help you or you are finding it difficult to deal with your District Office, contact an advice agency. The Housing Executive may not be offering you the help the law says you should get. An adviser will be able to look at your situation and help you get what you're entitled to.

Can social services help me?

Social services usually refers to statutory agencies who are by law responsible for the care, protection, health and well being of vulnerable people, including children and young people.

Social services is often used to describe the health and social care trusts in Northern Ireland. Health and social care trusts have some responsiblity for the welfare of children and young people. This includes caring for children and young people at home, in hospitals, in residential homes and children and young people who live with foster parents.

Social services may be able to help you if you are homeless and are: