CYP Now - My life: Gaven, 19

I went into care when I was three. I was in and out of care until the age of nine. I would be in foster placements, back home, children's homes, back home, my nan's, back home.

On my sixteenth birthday I had a choice: move out of care and get a place of my own or wait until the Leaving Care Act came in and get support and help with housing.

I made the really bad decision. I thought I would be able to cope. I didn't want to listen to social workers. I thought I could look after myself. I decided to move out and live with a friend. Soon after, he got kicked out of his flat. I ended up living on the streets for four months.

Now I realise it would have been better if I'd listened to social services.

Register Now to Continue Reading

Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's Included