Loading
 

Vulnerable young girl needs help

I work for a voluntary organisation as a family mediator, focusing on homeless youngsters (aged 16-20) who are having difficulties staying in the family home. Due to the confidential nature of a specific case, I obviously cannot go into any personal details, but this is an overview of a case I am having difficulty with.

I am working with a young girl of 17 whose mother kicked her out thinking the local council will re-home her. The girl in question did not want to leave the family home but her mother and stepfather are adamant they do not want her back, and due to a mass breakdown in their relationship, the young girl does not want to return now.

In my line of work I have to deal with local authorities, local council, social services and police etc, yet nobody wants to touch this case or put in place any continuous support. Passed from pillar to post and given telephone numbers for irrelevant organisations, this girl is getting nowhere fast.

A teenager - youngsters from broken homes need help

She is currently in a shelter that is unmanned, has no security and is in the process of refurbishment and frankly, uninhabitable. The kitchen is dangerous with wires hanging from the ceiling and walls. If she refuses to stay there, the council will refuse to help her any further.

This is a vulnerable young girl, with no family support to lean on at what is a very traumatic time for her. And before anyone rants about the "yoof of today”, thinking they can get a flat with the click of her well manicured fingers, this girl has been supporting herself since 16, is not pregnant, works, pays tax and goes to college.

Does anyone know of any organisations that may be able to help her in this situation, or even just a bit of constructive advice that may just make her life that little bit easier?

By: Concernedcat

Share on Google Plus

Comments from visitors

Post a comment

Enter your comments in the space below.

Name or nickname


Page: 1 2
Sort:

I love it how still in the comments it's all "Oh dear, poor her let's feel some sympathy for her.

Number one is always put yourself in her shoes. What would you do? Go from there.

Accumulate money and find old friends, say school friends or aquaintences.

It's all to do with simple human concsience. Should I help her? Ew no, she's porbably a filthy little thing.

We no longer have compassion for one another. We don't think. If I knew her I'd take her in immedietly. EVERYONE DESERVES A CHANCE.

Think.

-4

 Vote for this commentVote against this commentClick to rate  Report This Report

Think - 16-Nov-10 15:17 

I'm guessing from the date this gripe was posted, back in 07, that this girl is now over 18 and has to stand on her own 2, if she is not already, but I hope she is.

+2

 Vote for this commentVote against this commentClick to rate  Report This Report

Been there - 19-Dec-09 11:00 

Chapter one - look at their website, the have hostles everywhere, nice safe places

-3

 Vote for this commentVote against this commentClick to rate  Report This Report

Abby - 15-Nov-09 20:31 

I feel sorry for this young girl. How could her own mother throw her out without a thought for her welfare? I don't know any organisation that will help. Can you check with Social Services? Do they foster children of her age? I hope she manages to have a good life despite having such parents.

+3

 Vote for this commentVote against this commentClick to rate  Report This Report

Such a shame - 13-Nov-09 21:16 

I like to help this young girl as myself I going through the same thing I dont understand parent's if they diden't want us why have us I call poeple like that cruel and karma going to hit them harder. So be strong and pray everyday the lord will show you the way. God bless take care.
Kahli

0

 Vote for this commentVote against this commentClick to rate  Report This Report

Kahli - 2-Oct-09 03:55 

Don; where are you from ? I grew up in the care system in the uk, so can't give you the best advice outside of it.

0

 Vote for this commentVote against this commentClick to rate  Report This Report

Been there - 15-Sep-09 17:42 

I can't believe people's friends or wider family aren't helping them in this situation. When I was 17 people ended up on their friend's sofas all the time, sometimes for months while they were able to find themselves somewhere to live. If they are earning why can't they find a house share somewhere to keep things affordable?

0

 Vote for this commentVote against this commentClick to rate  Report This Report

Aimee - 22-Aug-09 11:42 

My daughter at 14 as just been in touch after 7 years to tell me her mum as put her in care how can I help her.

+4

 Vote for this commentVote against this commentClick to rate  Report This Report

don - 24-Jul-09 14:23 

I am 17 years old and been told i'm to old to go into care or to young to go into a hostel. I am registered homeless but my problem is that its my last night staying in my boyfriend's mum's house as she's in a housing executive flat and can't afford being caught with me being here after tonight I will be on the streets. I've asked all my friends and none of them can help. My boyfriend can't either as he doesn't work so there for he doesn't get any money to help support me.

I'm not getting any income as I'm apparently not entitled to any cos of my age and I find it hard to get a job with the credit crunch and not having much experience. Can any one suggest what I could do please?

-2

 Vote for this commentVote against this commentClick to rate  Report This Report

Ashlee ryan - 16-Apr-09 15:56 

im 16 and have been kicked out ov my home and am now staying at my best friends house the council are doing naff all to help me it is discusting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

0

 Vote for this commentVote against this commentClick to rate  Report This Report

Olivia Adams Sheffield - 23-Sep-08 21:05 

I know this might sound harsh but if you have not got anywhere to live then you need to ditch the college course and get a full time job. The priority is to get the maximum amount of money coming in so you can put a roof over your head, this must be the priority. You can always restart college at a later date when you are more sorted. Apart from the fact that qualifications these days are completely useless - I am allowed to say this because I have a degree and I dont earn any more money than if I didnt have a degree. This has finally been admitted in the papers recently and among recent graduates it is well known that getting a degree does not mean you have won the race it just means that you have got a bit of a head start.

-3

 Vote for this commentVote against this commentClick to rate  Report This Report

In the real world - 4-Jun-08 20:47 

What state is this girl in? Many churches would help this girl. Also if she is in college check with her councillor tey may know of some resources.

+1

 Vote for this commentVote against this commentClick to rate  Report This Report

Georgie - 25-Feb-08 14:05 

Thanks for sharing this story. My heart is saddened by her parents actions. My wife and I faced devastating problems with our two teens and a good friend advised me to boot my son out of the house. We couldn't do it because, although there seemed to be no hope for him then, we feared the worst if he was not under our care and love. Although our love went unheeded for a long time, in the end it won both of their hearts and we saw a wonderful transformation take place. I wish there was something I could recommend or do for this poor girl; my heart weeps for her. There must be something for her. My brother and his wife foster children and have adopted some. I will ask them

+3

 Vote for this commentVote against this commentClick to rate  Report This Report

Glenn - 23-Feb-08 16:53 

I am 17 and I went to the police because my mum kicked me out they sent me down to the council and they gave me bus tickts to stay in a B&B in moldon and I stayed at my dads girlfriends for 3 weeks on the sofa and I had to be interviewed by nacro and anne knight housing and I got a shared flat within 3 weeks and I am happy I go to 6th form my life is fine I find it hard sometimes but life has many surpises but you can live indepently x

+2

 Vote for this commentVote against this commentClick to rate  Report This Report

Strong x - 19-Jan-08 17:05 

You could try http://www.manchesterfoyer.org.uk/intro.html

I believe there are other foyer sites around the country also.

-3

 Vote for this commentVote against this commentClick to rate  Report This Report

nik - 7-Jan-08 23:27 

please can you tell me where some girls homes are located in the st.louis area. I am facing some problems within the home. I need to know as soon as possible. I am about to be put out tomorrow. thank you and goodnight.

+1

 Vote for this commentVote against this commentClick to rate  Report This Report

reasie1708 - 24-Sep-07 04:16 

I reckon that you should go and let her stay with you, she obviously feels emotionally attrated to you and that would be nice wouldn't it. just dont let her go back to her mother otherwise you know what could happen, big mistake!!!!

+1

 Vote for this commentVote against this commentClick to rate  Report This Report

big mommas house!!! - 14-Jun-07 10:52 

oops just read your post and looks like its sorted.... still she could get her tax back!

-1

 Vote for this commentVote against this commentClick to rate  Report This Report

bob - 13-Jun-07 19:47 

That's really bad. I can sympathise. My mum kicked me out a few years ago, but in a very polite way of course.

My boyfriends mother absolutely refused to let me stay for even one night a week, and when I went to the 'young homeless offices' explaining that I was in fact young, and homeless, they said that there was nothing they could do for me.

I wasn't being abused, I wasn't getting beaten up by my family, I wasn't on drugs and I wasn't pregnant, so therefore they couldn't help me! It seems that if you want help these days you've got to be a serious bum, leech and mess up.

It's not as though I wanted permanent help, just a little assistance till I managed to get on my feet. This poor girl. :( I'm glad though, that at least YOU care for her well being, and that's someone.

I'd happily allow someone like that to stay in my apartment till they managed to get themselves a safe place to stay.

I guess all you can do is reassure her that in a years time this will all seem like a bad dream, hopefully..

-3

 Vote for this commentVote against this commentClick to rate  Report This Report

yoyo - 7-Jun-07 22:35 

Thank you everyone for the nice and helpful comments! Apart from St. Bernadette.
(well,there's always one). The offer of the room was very lovely and compassionate and helps restore my faith in the goodness of man and the au-pair idea is one that I will put to her and will probably use again in future with others. The girl in question has got back in contact with her natural father and he is letting her live with him, so, a good result in the end.

Once again, thanks for the comments and thanks for taking the time to read my gripe. Let's all hope that the Homeless situation gets better and that the relevant organisations can start to work together.

0

 Vote for this commentVote against this commentClick to rate  Report This Report

concernedcat - 7-Jun-07 19:41 

Page: 1 2
Sort:

Close

Enter email to receive updates:RSS Feed

Twitter