Running away

This content applies to Scotland only.

Housing laws vary between Scotland and England. This page applies to Scotland only. Get advice relating to England

You may feel 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. This page looks at what you can do and how you can get help if you feel you have to leave home in a hurry.

Whatever your problem is, 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.

What if I don't get on with my family?

• Before packing your bags, try talking to someone else about the problem, for example a teacher, relative or youth group leader.
• Call ChildLine for free, confidential advice.
• A mediation service may be able to help you sort out your problems with your family. Mediators do not decide 'who is right', instead they help you resolve arguments for yourselves.
• Read our tips on improving your relationship with your parents here.

What if I'm in danger at home?

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

• call the free 24-hour Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0800 027 1234
• contact your local Scottish Women's Aid centre
• call ChildLine.

If you feel you have to get out, 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. Make sure you take a few necessities with you such as:

• identification documents such as your passport, driving licence and national insurance card - this is really important
• a change of clothes and a warm coat
• money or cash cards
• your mobile phone and/or address book
• toiletries
• any medication you need, such as an inhaler, anti-epileptic drugs, insulin or antidepressants
• other important personal belongings, such as glasses.

If you are forced to leave your home because of violence or abuse, you can go to your local council's housing department and they should offer you somewhere to stay while they look into your situation (see 'where can I go' below).

Can my parents throw me out?

Once you are 16, if your parents ask you to leave, you will probably have to go. If you're under 16, your parents have a legal responsibility to look after you and make sure you have somewhere safe to stay. However, if you have a bad falling out, they may make you leave anyway.

If you find yourself in this situation, you should talk to an adviser immediately.

• Call Shelter's free housing advice helpline on 0808 800 4444 for advice on where to stay.
• Call ChildLine on 0800 1111 for help.

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 things through with 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 council (see below).

Where can I go?

If you find yourself with nowhere to stay, there are several things you can do in an emergency. Find out more about what you can do in an emergency and where you can stay here.

Remember, you can always call Shelter's free housing advice helpline. Shelter can't provide you with a place to stay, but an adviser should be able to help you find a place in a hostel or refuge near you.

Can the council 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 your local council. You don't have to sleeping on the street to get help. If you are staying with a friend or in a hostel, you are still legally homeless.

If you are in this situation, you can make a homeless application to the council's housing department or homelessness unit. Even if the council offices are closed, there should be an emergency number you can call to get help. Use the Advice Services Directory or check out your council's website to find out what the number is in your area.

How can the council help?

The council will give you somewhere to stay, for example in a flat or hostel, while it looks into your situation. The council will then decide what kind of help it can offer you. This might be:

• help to find a new place to live
• help to find a new place to live and somewhere to stay until you can find a new home
• an offer of a permanent home. This may be a house or flat, or in supported accommodation such as a foyer.

You are more likely to get a permanent home if:

• you are 16 to 17
• you are 18 to 21 and have been in care or are vulnerable
• you are pregnant or responsible for children.

What if the council won't help me?

If the council won't help you, go and see an adviser at a housing aid centre or Citizens Advice Bureau. They can look into your situation and help you get what you're entitled to. Find out more about dealing with the council and what you can do if the council won't help you here.

Can social work help me?

If you are under 18, have been in care or are disabled, the council's social work department may be able to help you. Find out more about what social work can do to help work can do to help here.

What if I end up sleeping on the street?

Sleeping rough is particularly dangerous for young people. If you do find yourself in this position, call a helpline, or get in touch with a housing aid centre or other homelessness agency as soon as possible.

Where can I get more help and advice?

The page on help for young people links to lots of organisations you can contact if you're feeling unhappy or unsafe at home or if you're having problems outside of the home, such as bullying, involvement with drugs and alcohol or problems with to do with sex. You can also download and print off our leaving home in a hurry checklist to help you plan what to do.