A boy aged 15 who I work with has been sleeping rough and on friends’ sofas after being thrown out of home after a row with his mum’s boyfriend. He has the option of staying with his dad who lives in a small bedsit. He is missing school and self-harming. What should I do?
He would be classified as a “child in need” so, first, ensure he has a social worker. His safety is paramount and it is compromised by him not attending school and self-harming.
Holding a family group conference along with a Common Assessment Framework (CAF) meeting would help address the complex issues facing the young man. If both parents have parental responsibility for him then it is not acceptable for the mother to have abdicated this. Mediation and conciliation via a family conference could resolve the situation by looking at the whole family and agreeing who has responsibility for what roles in his life. Similarly, a CAF meeting may help address the father’s housing issues if it is felt that the boy would be better off living there.
Try to be as supportive of him as you can, ensuring that he is safe and that his wishes and feelings are taken into full account.
Answered by Jeanie Lynch, who works for Barnardo’s and has 25 years’ experience of working with vulnerable children and families
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