By Marc Ford MBA, Marketing & Digital Content Creator
This past weekend, a sobering article in The Guardian raised alarm bells about how local councils are failing to take homeless 16 and 17-year-olds into care. Many young people in this age group are being left in unsafe, temporary housing arrangements, with little to no support to help them rebuild their lives. And let’s be clear: this isn’t just a problem confined to the big cities – it’s one we see right here in Leicester and across Leicestershire.
As the report pointed out, local authorities often skirt their duty under the law to offer young people the safety and security they need when they face homelessness. According to the Children’s Society, a charity that works to combat youth homelessness, too many councils are either not offering suitable accommodations or pushing youths into unsuitable living conditions that do more harm than good.
Let’s break this down: when a young person under 18 experiences homelessness, it’s not just about finding a roof over their head. It’s about the comprehensive care that comes with it – the emotional, psychological, and physical support to help them thrive. But in many cases, councils are simply placing these vulnerable teens in emergency hostels, hotel rooms or even on the streets. And without a consistent, supportive environment, how on earth can they ever begin to break the ‘cycle’?
Leicestershire is no stranger to these struggles. Our local services, including those at YMCA Leicestershire, are deeply invested in giving young people a second chance – offering more than just a place to sleep, but a safe space where they can receive the care, guidance, and support that they deserve. Our services span not just homelessness support, but also employment training, emotional well-being initiatives, and access to long-term housing, despite the challenges the latter is proving to be.
We see first-hand what can happen when young people are left to navigate homelessness alone. Many arrive at our doors already carrying the weight of trauma – broken homes, struggles with mental health, and deep feelings of isolation and loneliness. The work we aim to do isn’t just about meeting basic needs. It’s about offering a sense of belonging, a sense that no one is beyond help. And that’s something local authorities should be stepping up to provide as well.
We need to start seeing young people as people – fully deserving of safe, permanent homes. It’s time for councils to step up and meet their responsibilities. It’s crucial that we have a system that puts the young person at the centre, not just their immediate housing needs.
In our day-to-day work at YMCA Leicestershire, we’re pushing back against the stigma and challenges that come with being young and homeless. We are always reminded that the young people that we see are not homeless youths; they are just young people experiencing homelessness. Nothing is permanent, but it’s a constant fight. If local authorities aren’t stepping up to their responsibilities, the work we do becomes even more urgent – and increasingly more difficult.
When we hear about councils failing to provide care for vulnerable young people, it’s not just a headline. It’s a call to action. Local authorities need to recognise that youth homelessness is not a simple crisis of a bed and a meal; it’s a systemic issue that requires long-term, holistic solutions. Young people deserve better than to be left to fend for themselves, to be pushed aside into temporary, unsafe living situations.
So, what’s the answer? More collaboration, more funding, (yes, I know, everyone says that) and above all, a shift in perspective and an actual plan. We can’t keep treating homelessness and youth homelessness as a footnote in the housing crisis. These are the young people who will shape the future, but only if we offer them the tools, resources, and support to do so.
We must all be part of this change – from local councils to community organisations like YMCA Leicestershire, to each and every one of us who can play a role in supporting the future of our young people. It’s time to make sure no young person is left to face homelessness alone. The stakes are simply too high.
