Help for homeless teen

[Blossom]

Hi all.

Can anyone give me any advice on what help there is for a homeless 16 year old lad in sa?

I've had a google but the charities I seem to be finding talk all about awareness but not actual help.

[andy and lindsey]

Try Southern Junction, I'm pretty sure that they could put you in touch with someone. I'm not sure if the Furness family still come on here they may be able to advise

[shazlouD]

St Johns Youth Service provides accomodation for homless young people.... Not sure if you need a referal but worth a try, good luck

[newlife]

https://www.huttstcentre.org.au/what_we_do

 

Not sure if it's the type of help you are looking for but the Hutt street centre in the city helps homeless people and families

[Lazy Cow]

Try Junction Australia. They have an emergency phone number : 131 611 and an 'ordinary' one : (98) 8392 3065

 

Junction Australia will provide contacts to other organisations that can help further because, let's face it, the homeless part is often the easier part of the problem to 'fix'.

 

Gateway offer accomodation: 1300 306 046 . I also have 1800 003 308 but I would try the 1300 first.

 

It's a horrible situation to be in and I wish you luck helping him. Even more, I wish the 16yo all the luck and strength in the world.

 

LC

[Lazy Cow]

Had a thought as I was cooking dinner (just one: didn't want to tire myself out ) could you contact whatever school he attends, tomorrow?

 

The counsellors normally have a whole host of contacts and resources that will help. Even if he is an external FLO student and doesn't attend school.

 

Truly the best way to go once you've got through tonight.

 

LC

[shazlouD]

Its very hard when you dont know the background of the situation..... There are so many services out there working with young people in the same situation... I agree with LC if he has a case manager or equivalant t school/college etc then thats the way forward, there would be some mediation between both parties and hopefully things would be sorted.. St Johns youth service also have an out of hours number as do Anglicare etc.. Unfortunatly sometimes when you ring these services its a case of getting a sofa somewhere for the night as long as they are not at immediate risk then job done.. Hope everything works out

[sidestep]

How about Families SA?

[McGintyoz]

Hope you find someone to help I hate the thought of a 16 year old being homeless, is there any family that can help?

[Lazy Cow]

There are so many services out there working with young people in the same situation.

 

if he has a case manager or equivalant t school/college etc then thats the way forward,

 

sometimes when you ring these services its a case of getting a sofa somewhere for the night as long as they are not at immediate risk then job done.. [/]

 

I only know the system I have encountered here but if the kid is enrolled in school, the school counsellors will help, whether they have encountered that student before or not. As shazlouD said, they can act as mediators between child and caregivers, find the student temporary accomodation and help all parties move forward. It is quite sobering to see the time and effort they will put in to helping the student and truly, I believe they are 'your' 16yo's best hope, Blossom.

 

It is not an easy situation but it's not always as terrible as the child might depict. It doesn't seem uncommon to have a kid living in their friend's home because the situation at home is 'unbearable'. Sometimes it really is horrible but sometimes it can come down to a breakdown in communication. We had a child stay with us as the child claimed they were too scared to go home. I contacted the counsellors at school and the student stayed with us whilst the school, then the services the school contacted, worked with the family. It all ended up ok and, as this was a good few years ago now and the child is now an adult and still at home so there you go!

 

I too hate to hear when a kid feels they cannot live at home and would rather live on the streetbut I think far more feel they cannot live at home and would rather live with a friend - often down to Grass Is Greener Syndrome. As a parent, if you then contact the police and explain that your kid has gone to live somewhere else then shazlouD is right, if the kid is not in any immediate risk then they apparently cannot help. I know of a 13yo girl who left home and went to stay with another family. The parents felt the family was not suitable and after all their daughter was only 13 but the police simply went to check that the girl was where they thought...then left her there. I know another four similar cases and I am sure that shazlouD will know many more, and it has been a real eye-opener for me.

 

There are literally hundreds of kids under 18yo, many of whom are under 12, who are homeless in SA, whether sleeping rough outside or couch surfing at a mate's. Terrible.

 

LC

[Blossom]

Hope you find someone to help I hate the thought of a 16 year old being homeless, is there any family that can help?

He has an aunt and uncle here but apparently they don't get on which is why he moved out.

He has left school. Apparently he did have a job, but that has fallen through. He has been staying with a friend but the mum has said it is time to move out (he isn't on the lease, she can't afford the extra food Etc).

To be honest he has known this was coming and hasn't done much to help his situation. I think he's a bit overwhelmed by it all.

[Lazy Cow]

He has an aunt and uncle here but apparently they don't get on which is why he moved out.

He has left school. Apparently he did have a job, but that has fallen through. He has been staying with a friend but the mum has said it is time to move out (he isn't on the lease, she can't afford the extra food Etc).

To be honest he has known this was coming and hasn't done much to help his situation. I think he's a bit overwhelmed by it all.

 

Well, if he can't live at home and doesn't have a job he would, I am sure, be eligible for Centrelink. He might have to get his aunt and uncle to complete a form which states why he cannot live at home (he might be violent, using drugs, whatever) but it is pretty straight forward. Or, possibly, the friend's Mum could do it....or take 'ownership' of him so he can get all he is eligible for.

 

If you know which school he attended I would still give them a ring because he might have been allocated someone outside school, like CRS Australia, or if he was on an apprenticeship whoever is his case manager. I believe that student leaving school to work has to get all sorts of forms completed by the proposed employer so again, I would contact his school.

 

I don't blame him for feeling overwhelmed or kinda ignoring the inevitable as he's so young. That said, he's going to have to get a grip now and use the resources that are actually out there.

 

Try school first....and good luck!

 

LC

[nikkinoodlesuk]

Contact the homeless gateway they would be best to advise or maybe one of those twelve-25 places specialise in helping youngsters.

Housing SA would probably help with any housing assistance along with centrelink.