This content applies to Scotland only.

Housing laws vary between Scotland and England. Get advice relating to England

Amber didn't get on with her mum when she came back home after spending two years in care. She decided to move out as soon as she turned 16, but found it difficult to manage on her own.

Problems at home

'When I was 13, my mum said she couldn't look after me any more, and they put me in a children's home. After two years, I moved back home, but we just argued all the time. I was still angry and hurt that she'd put me in care. So as soon as I was 16, I left.'

Help from social work

I didn't get on with the other people and kept getting into trouble

'I was still in touch with my social worker, who helped me to arrange a place in supported housing. But I didn't get on with the other people there and kept getting in trouble. After the third warning, they evicted me.'

Help from the housing department

'I went to the local council to apply as homeless, and they found me a place to stay in a hostel while they assessed me.

'In the end, they decided that I'd made myself homeless intentionally, by causing problems. So I could only stay in the temporary housing for a few more weeks, while I looked for somewhere else.'

Advice and mediation

'I didn't know what else to do, so I went to a local advice centre. They tried to get the council to change their minds, but that wasn't possible.

We understand each other a lot better than we used to

'Then they put me in touch with a mediation service, who helped me and my mum talk properly for the first time in ages. Since then, I've moved back in with her. Things aren't perfect, and I want my own place eventually, but it seems like we understand each other a lot better than we used to.'

Leaving care advice 

More real stories