Leaving home is a big step so make sure you have planned where you are going to live before you go. Leaving home with nowhere to go can result in you becoming homeless, which affects thousands of young people from all backgrounds each year in Wales.

You cannot legally leave home without your parents’ or guardians’ permission until you are 18 years old. If you are 16 or 17, you need their official consent. If you are under 16, you have no right to leave home at all, but if you are really unhappy, there are people you can talk to and get help.  The Citizens Advice have some great information and the Money Advice have some great advice on how to manage and budget your money, it’s a big shock seeing how much you need to pay for your own home.

If you feel its unsafe for you to stay at home, you should seek help immediately – you can always call into the INFO Shop and speak to a member of staff.

If the reason you want to leave home is because of a family breakdown or argument, try talking things through with your family first. It might be a problem you can resolve together. If you feel you can’t talk to them, there are mediation services in Wales that can help.  The Wallich in Wrexham has a mediation service that helps 16 and 17 year olds and their families to resolve conflicts or find accommodation if its not possible for them to return or stay at home.  If you are planning on leaving home and have nowhere to go, call your local authority. If you are under 18, they are obliged to find you accommodation, but it may take time so try not to move until they have something secured for you

If you are struggling to get things for your house that you need, call into the INFO Shop and speak to a youth worker.

Other links you might find useful

• Housing – Citizens Advice
• Young people and housing – Citizens Advice
• Housing – The Mix (formerly TheSite)
• Get Advice – Shelter Cymru (type in your question)

Some Local Organisations

• The Wallich
• Shelter Cymru – Wrexham
• Barnardo’s Cymru 
• Wrexham Citizens Advice Bureau

• Wrexham Council – Applying for housing

If you would like more information on this topic or you have questions please call into the INFO Shop or contact us on 01978 295600 / Instant message.  If you leave us a message we will get back to you as soon as we can.