You think homelessness is bad, and then you see a street homeless child in the park

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

On my way back from walking DDog last night in the park, just as we were leaving at dusk I saw a boy of about 10-12 enter the park and then approach a family camping in the park and sit down with them - presumably it was his own family.

It's a city centre park, and we have a big problem with homelessness in this city, most of whom stay in tents. They definitely weren't there for fun It was never this bad before the cuts.

I rang 101 to report it as a safeguarding concern, but as I was fairly sure the boy wasn't being held there against his will they wouldn't even do a welfare check. Apparently they'll pass the info onto the council (homeless outreach / social services). They'll probably be camping elsewhere before the council gets to them.

I hope he's OK. It says something about this country when we can't even ensure pre-teen children have a roof over their heads

Ah well. As long as the rich are sorted and still voting tory.

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/homeless-children-temporary-accommodation-conservative-theresa-may-a8928291.html

Romany are an ethnic group so can be covered under racism laws.

16 in my town are often given tents and advised on where to pitch.........often they're kicked out on leaving school age. If no college place the benefits dry up. Every year at the same time there's an influx

This just didn't happen years ago. But housing is scarce and our lovely, little hostels have all closed. (( And they were nice places in the main. We're a small town. Not a big city )) it's sad. And destroying futures of so many young people

It's not uncommon if there are questions about the adults right to be or stay in this country. We had a 5 year old whose mum came to school saying she had to leave home with the child. Mum was an overstayer so no rights to benefits. Social services were involved but they allowed the child to walk the streets with mum for two nights and sleep in a park on a bench. Eventually they took the child into emergency foster care.

I was shocked this was legally allowed to happen but it can.

@Paramicha

I think this is the article the pp was talking about: www.thetimes.co.uk/article/govanhill-child-sex-trade-there-are-so-many-it-s-easy-pickings-for-child-abusers-m2swzc63h

@Patroclus

No one said children aren't homeless. Ie... without a permanent home. Of course it happens and of course it's unacceptable but that doesn't mean they are rough sleeping. They are placed in b&bs, hotels and other temporary accommodation. Not perfect by any means but quite different to actual rough sleeping.

That is absolutely terrible and thank you for all the posts, it is such a diverse problem though.
Some Roma don't want to live in houses, although I appreciate that all the homeless aren't European Roma.

I absolutely 100% agree that the problem has massively increased over the last few years. I used to deal with 16 - 18 year olds who were living in tents (and authorised crisis loans to replace them when stolen/set on fire/removed by police). Only a few, as I live in a small 'nice' town, but it happened. And it seemed to occur as soon as the Coalition government took over. I only recall one such young person in this situation locally before then, and I didn't actually believe they were living in a tent as they claimed tbh.

I cannot imagine how much worse things are now for young people. I can see with my own eyes that we've gone from a couple of rough sleepers in my town to people in nearly every doorway in town. I called an ambulance for someone last week who has been sleeping in a phone box for a few weeks with serious, life threatening medical issues. How this person had just been left to fend for themselves on the street is beyond me.

Absolutely, Stayingalive
It happens frequently in those circumstances.

I just remember being so shocked and thought surely they won't let the child walk the streets with the mother but apparently that was the better option than helping her as she was an over stayer and would expect more help apparently.

They walked the streets for three nights before they took the child into emergency foster care. We gave her breakfast when she arrived at school each day and offered the mum a shower. The mum did expect help and thought the child would be given benefits so she would too. It was an awful situation but really eye opening as to how ss can't or won't step in if walking the streets and sleeping on park benches is the only alternative.

I went past the spot with the tent again the following night (it's on my usual route) and they'd gone. I doubt SS got there in time. I just hope the child is OK and the family get the help they need.