At risk of homelessness – Slough Borough Council

Housing options for young people

If you have to leave home because:

Call us immediately on 01753 475111.

Leaving home is a big decision. Do not leave because of an argument or because you want more independence.

We can only help you if leaving home would make you homeless, unless you are in a dangerous situation.

Most situations are rarely so serious that you need to leave immediately.

You could try:

agreeing on ground rules with your family until alternative accommodation is found
staying temporarily with a friend or relative for a break
contacting the Young People’s Service on 01753 476589 for advice and support

Getting advice early can prevent problems from getting worse. You don’t have to face this on your own.

If your parents or carers have told you to leave:

Ask them to come with you to Observatory House to speak to a social worker.
If they cannot come with you, provide a letter from them explaining why you have been asked to leave.

The council can then work with you to find safe and suitable housing options.

The help you can get from the Housing Assessment team depends on your situation.

We have a duty to provide advice and support to anyone who contacts us. However, we do not have to provide accommodation for everyone.

You may be able to get help if:

You might not be entitled to help if:

you walked out after an argument
you have been asked to leave because of your behaviour
you have lived in Slough for less than 5 years, or have been placed into Slough by another borough

If you are thinking about leaving home, it’s important to understand the real costs and challenges involved.

Social housing in Slough

You may have heard that leaving home will get you a council flat.

The truth is:

there is a shortage of social housing in Slough
there is a long waiting list for people already on the Housing Register
you can apply to go on the list from age 16, but you will likely have to wait a long time, even if accepted

Renting from a landlord or letting agent

If you rent privately:

you will usually need to pay a rent deposit and rent in advance
you may also need a guarantor
a guarantor is an adult who will be responsible for paying the rent or repairing damage if you cannot
the guarantor usually needs to be in full-time work and earn a minimum income

Costs of living independently

Moving out and maintaining your own home is expensive. Each month you may need to pay for:

It’s important to plan your budget carefully before moving out.

If you still feel you need to move out, the Young People’s Service can help you with:

advice on money management
free budgeting and benefits guidance
information, advice, and guidance sessions for ages 16–19 (or up to 25 with a statement of Special Educational Needs)
drop-in sessions take place at various venues across Slough.

Call 01753 875510 to make an appointment.