Leaving home - Where do I go?

Home: Survivors: For Teenagers: Stepping out

Youth refuges, the home of a relative or friend you feel safe with, and foster homes are places you can go to if you have to leave home.

Youth refuges

Refuges are just ordinary houses where girls and boys can stay for three or more months. The workers are usually young, and understand your problems. They will help you find somewhere permanent to live. There are government and Christian refuges; some are for girls only.

You'll be sharing a room with at least one other person, you'll get pocket money from the refuge and money for clothes from the government service for young people.

How do I get in?

Ring the phone numbers listed in the Contacts section.

Where else can I live?

With another family

Which is called foster care. Foster parents will be people who want to be parents for someone like you. They could be married or single, gay or straight. You don't have to move in right away, you can visit them for a few months, while you decide if you want to be with them.

Social workers, youth workers and Stretch-a-Family workers can find you a foster family.

With a friend or relative

If it is safe for you. Maybe you could live with a grandmother, older sister, or aunt, or with a school friend's family.

Tell someone...

then they can help you, especially if you've already been in trouble. If you are not happy with the people you tell first, keep on trying, there are people who want to help you.

Telling someone is the first step to feeling better and stronger.

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Dympna House

Disclaimer Copyright Updated: 24 Sep 2009