If you’re 16 or 17 and homeless – or worried about becoming homeless – we take your situation very seriously. There is help and support available to keep you safe and guide you through your options.
Homelessness – if you are aged 16-17
Who can help
You can contact any of these teams for support:
- Multi-agency safeguarding hub (MASH): 023 9268 8793
- Housing needs advice and support team: 023 9283 4989
- About ME advocacy team: 07920 089430 or email advocacy@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
What support you can get
We’ll talk with you to understand your situation and carry out a personal assessment. We’ll look at:
- Your current circumstances
- If you’re eligible for help
- How urgent your need is
- Your safety and wellbeing
We’ll give you written advice and work with you to create a housing plan to help solve your situation.
What happens when you ask for help
When you contact us, we’ll make sure you have somewhere safe to stay while we begin your assessment.
If you’ve left your family home, we’ll talk with you about whether it’s safe or possible to return. Some young people choose to stay with a family member or friend while we look at longer-term options.
If you need emergency housing, we may be able to arrange:
- A short stay with family or friends
- A place in supported housing for young people
- An emergency foster placement
If you can’t go home and need longer-term housing, we’ll look at options like supported housing, kinship care, foster care or a children’s home.
Advocacy - someone to speak up for you
About ME Advocacy is an independent service that helps children and young people have their voices heard.
An advocate can:
- Listen to you
- Help you say what you want in your own words
- Speak up for you if you feel no one is listening
- Support you when decisions are being made about your life
You can contact them directly if you’d like their help.
Our duty to help
Portsmouth City Council has a legal duty to help 16 and 17 year olds who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
We will:
- Do everything we can to stop you from becoming homeless
- Work with you in a clear and joined-up way
- Make sure you understand all your options
- Agree a housing plan with you to help you find and keep a safe place to live