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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Help! Vulnerable 18yr old nephew homeless

130 replies

desperateaunty · 28/12/2023 14:43

Not an AIBU but posting for traffic.

Hoping someone may have some advice/help that we have not considered.
I will try to keep this short but of course there is history, this situation hasn't just happened in a vacuum.
18yr old nephew with Asperger's has been a problem for a while, gradually getting worse. School was difficult for him and took along time for diagnosis, school weren't very supportive seemed to just want to get rid of him. DB and SIL tried several alternative provisions, none of which were successful. Since finishing school he hasn't been able to hold down a job, despite help with apprenticeships and college place etc. Last year events escalated, increasing drink and drug use. Arrested last Christmas in a club for drug possession (can't remember details but not charged). Supposed to have been offered support from Youth Offending Team but usual issue of waiting lists, lack of resources etc so never followed up.

Events have escalated again this Christmas. DB and SIL are divorced (several years ago) so nephew lives with her (but DB is local to them so has always been very involved). Part reason for their divorce was their different parenting styles; SIL is a softie, less boundaries, DB is the strict one. DB offered nephew to move in with him after last year's arrest but nephew refused (probably knew he wouldn't be able to get away with things like he can with his mum). SIL has been brilliant at trying to access support for him but nothing seems to come of it or he doesn't follow through. Anyway last week SIL called police on him after he started trashing his room (not the first time this has happened, apparently)- she felt threatened, although he wasn't directly lashing out at her, but understandably she feared for her safety. He was let go with a caution but SIL has refused to let him back home. DB has recently moved in with his partner, having him live with him is not an option. Nephew has been sofa surfing at various friends houses but obviously this is only a temporary solution. DB has been on to SS since Christmas Eve but again, due to Christmas holidays etc it's skeleton staff, no resources, told to wait until next Tuesday - for what, I don't know.

Both I and my parents have offered him a place for the night but he has refused. We all live over an hour away, we're not close (not from lack of trying, very involved grandparents and aunty since he was born but sadly not much of a relationship has ever developed, no understanding as to why, eg no family issues or fallings out). DB is heartbroken trying to work out how to help him but also angry that nephew isn't taking any responsibility for himself and nephew is blaming everyone else for everything. SIL is standing firm and not taking him back for the forseeable. We're all holding out hope for some magical intervention to happen on Tuesday from SS but realistically know that is unlikely. So does anyone know what SS can offer? I've said that nephew should fall into vulnerable adult category due to his Asperger's so would he be more a priority for being housed somewhere? None of us, or anyone we know has ever been in this situation before, we're not familiar with services and don't know what to ask for. Any advice from those in the know or have been through similar??

OP posts:
FatFemale · 28/12/2023 14:48

Im sad to read this. Is he sofa surfing or rough sleeping? Have you been to see him in person to talk to him about coming to yours

desperateaunty · 28/12/2023 14:52

He has definitely been sofa surfing. DB thanked one of his friend's mums for taking him in for couple of days. DB also put him up in a premier inn for one night. I've spoken to him briefly on the phone today but his communication is really poor, he didn't want to talk. No guarantee he woud meet me even if planned, and as I said, I'm not local to him so it's a bit of a trek to get there for a no show. Hoping to get him to my parents house tonight.

OP posts:
Jinglebellrocked · 28/12/2023 14:53

Where about is he? Rough area?

desperateaunty · 28/12/2023 14:53

Wiltshire

OP posts:
Jinglebellrocked · 28/12/2023 14:57

He needs to present as homeless at council of wherever he has a connection too. The advice for my friends son was to sleep rough on the streets and given a tent and supported by the outreach team. He was assessed and then given b and b but this was over a year ago and still isn’t securely housed

Seaweed42 · 28/12/2023 15:00

"DB thanked one of his friend's mums for taking him in for couple of days."

I hope to god that DB isn't posting on Facebook or social media about this!

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 28/12/2023 15:00

If he is homeless he should be entitled to some kind of hostel or B&B accommodation if he contacts your local housing office . As a vulnerable adult it may be that SS could push for supported accommodation but that may be harder to find and I think that Adults Services are struggling more than Children's (within SS I mean). Bear in mind that hostel or supported accommodation may have rules around drink and drugs use .

FatFemale · 28/12/2023 15:01

Look up the local homeless shelter there and ask for advice. There might also be soup kitchens with free food for him. I run a soup kitchen (not in that area though). Just thinking if hes street homeless eventually he will need a sleeping bag, gloves etc.

you cant blame your SIL, i imagine shes had her fill with his behaviour. She will be just as distraught as you but she has to stop what was happening in her house, you wont know what shes been through with him. All you can hope is he can find a way through this and accept help and not fall further

desperateaunty · 28/12/2023 15:02

@Seaweed42 of course not! What a strange thing to suggest! He thanked her personally - my DB doesn't do any social media or would have the first clue how to, and certainly isn't a way he would choose to communicate.

OP posts:
CharmedCult · 28/12/2023 15:03

It’s a shame your brother doesn’t even have a sofa that his own son can sleep on for a few nights.

It’s really good though that you’re all finally helping taking the pressure off your SIL, who must have been at her absolute wits end and got the police involved as a last resort.

desperateaunty · 28/12/2023 15:06

None of us are blaming SIL at all and we completely understand that she's at the end of her tether.
He's managing to work at the moment, in a pub/restaurant kitchen - amazingly he has been turning up for his shifts (with either DB or SIL taking hime there) so he will get food there.

OP posts:
auntyElle · 28/12/2023 15:09

DB has recently moved in with his partner, having him live with him is not an option. Nephew has been sofa surfing at various friends houses but obviously this is only a temporary solution.

Given the longterm issues, your DB needed to keep the home that had room for his son. The fact that he was offered and refused last year is not reason to make it impossible.

Tacotortoise · 28/12/2023 15:10

No ones going to house him unless he's street homeless and even then he'll be offered a room in a hostel and can spend the next 10 years bidding for a council house. It's a really common story, difference here is he has options but doesn't want to take them.

Rioja81 · 28/12/2023 15:10

"DB is heartbroken trying to work out how to help him"

Perhaps help house him? As he is his father?

desperateaunty · 28/12/2023 15:11

DB has literally just started renting out his place so is tied into a 6 month contract at least - he is already considering this as an option for him but unfortunately that can't happen immediately.

OP posts:
WorriedMum231 · 28/12/2023 15:11

He’s able to hold down and a job and SIL has kicked him out which perhaps suggests he is self sufficient enough that SS will not get involved despite his diagnosis.

I don’t think SS will do anything, he’s had loads of offers for somewhere to stay and he’s turned them all down so emergency accommodation should go to those who need it.

I have ASD so I do sympathise but I really don’t think he will be classed as a vulnerable adult from what you’ve explained (ofc I could be very wrong about that but I doubt very much that a parent would evict someone that meets the threshold for SS to get involved.)

He’s going to have to start taking some responsibility for himself, he works so he can try and find a room to rent.

Rioja81 · 28/12/2023 15:11

Can't he 'sofa surf' there? An airbed somewhere?

LittleGreenDragons · 28/12/2023 15:11

The "problem" with homeless shelters etc require the person not to be taking drugs./alcohol. In our area if a person is under the influence of drugs or alcohol they are kicked out from the shelter and refused help as the volunteers and council target their energy and what little money they have on the homeless people who are trying to get off the streets but need that little bit of extra help. Will your nephew stop taking the drugs? If he won't even do that then it's unlikely to be any help out there for him unfortunately.

WorriedMum231 · 28/12/2023 15:12

Tacotortoise · 28/12/2023 15:10

No ones going to house him unless he's street homeless and even then he'll be offered a room in a hostel and can spend the next 10 years bidding for a council house. It's a really common story, difference here is he has options but doesn't want to take them.

Even then, there will likely be a waiting list for a hostel and as he’s in employment he likely would not qualify.

desperateaunty · 28/12/2023 15:14

@WorriedMum231 he's only had the job since last week so wondering how long it will last. But yes, you're right, he can function well enough when he has to.
Also we have all said he needs to take some responsibility for himself, there have been offers of help but he doesn't accept it.
i think SIL is hoping tough love approach will eventually sink in with him.

OP posts:
Rioja81 · 28/12/2023 15:20

Your brother is being very passive here.

Mrsttcno1 · 28/12/2023 15:22

Yes sadly SS for adults is even more stretched than for children. There simply isn’t the resource, the space, the staff etc. As others have said they will not do anything until he is literally on the street homeless, and the fact he is being offered help and turning it down just shows he clearly feels he still has options.

You can’t help someone who doesn’t want to help themselves sadly. We have been in a similar situation with my BIL a few years ago, he eventually realised he did actually need help and to get that help he had to engage with the relevant people etc. He’s an adult, whether you all like it or not, and it’s time for him to stand on his own two feet for a bit of a reality check here.

Also really feel for your SIL, that must be a really difficult situation for her and I hope she has enough support for herself x

Tinkerbell1980 · 28/12/2023 15:25

He needs to present himself as homeless at his local housing authority offices. SS can speak to housing groups and request support but have no power in that regard. He also will need to accept whatever they offer and behave himself. I'm sorry for the worry this is causing your family 💐

CharmedCult · 28/12/2023 15:25

Rioja81 · 28/12/2023 15:20

Your brother is being very passive here.

He has moved in with a partner with absolutely no consideration for having a space at his home for his troublesome teenage son to come and stay. Apparently doesn't even have a sofa he can kip on.

I think I can completely understand why the SIL has got to the end of her rope.

WorriedMum231 · 28/12/2023 15:26

Rioja81 · 28/12/2023 15:20

Your brother is being very passive here.

I wouldn’t let a temperamental, potentially violent man, who trashes houses into my home either.