If you're the parent or carer of a young adult who is homeless or worried about becoming homeless

If at any point you have concerns for your young adult’s safety, then you should contact the Safeguarding Hub on 0333 240 1727

Parental responsibility

As the parents of, or those with parental responsibility for, a young adult aged under 18, you are responsible for their welfare. Our key commitment is to keep families together in their homes wherever possible (and where it is safe to do so) because this is generally what is best for the child or young adult. We want to avoid homelessness at a young age, wherever possible.

For most young adults, staying with you in their home or within the wider family (with support) is usually the best outcome. We will always want to talk with you about why your young adult feels that they cannot go home. We will talk with your young adult, you and even your wider family about what support you can access to help your young adult stay at home, to help strengthen family relationships and or to help prepare the young adult for living on their own, when the time is right.

Accommodation options for young adults aged 16 or 17 years old

If your young adult is aged 16 or 17 years old, there are certain processes we will follow to make sure your young adult is getting the right support. In order to do this, we will need to get to know you and find out what life is like for you.  

For a young adult aged 16 or 17 years old, who is homeless, or worried about becoming homeless a social worker will talk with you to find out more about what’s going on for you and what help you may need. They will explore how the young adult can best be supported and where they can live. 

Accommodation options for young adults aged 18 or 24 years old

Our Youth Homeless and Housing Officers can offer advice to young adults aged 18 to 24 years old, this can include talking with you and your young adult about emergency and or supported accommodation. 

If you or your young adult think they will need some support to learn how to live independently or manage their budget, a referral can be completed for supported accommodation within our Positive Housing Pathway. 

If your young adult is homeless tonight, we can look at whether we can offer emergency accommodation.  

Supported accommodation is only for young adults who are homeless, have nowhere else to go and could not manage living alone without support.

If you have asked your young adult to leave home or given them a deadline to leave the home, they can also contact your local housing team. Depending on the circumstances, they may be able to provide emergency accommodation but they will also look at all options for accommodation, including supported options, social housing, Choice Based Lettings (previously known as council housing) and privately rented options. 

Cumberland Housing Options Team
Telephone: 0300 373 3730 (option 5)

Discuss your options with our Youth Homeless and Housing Officers

Our Youth Homeless and Housing Officers can help talk you through options and can give you advice on what to do next.

Lisa Williams for Carlisle locality
Telephone: 07825 097991

Helen Walker for Allerdale and Copeland localities
Telephone: 07825 340628