17yr old son has no GCSEs and is involved in gang related crime

[Gr8white]

This post is not intended as a criticism of my son - I take responsibility for letting him down when he needed me and am ashamed of myself, as a mum. I need some advice from the Mumsnet community. I've no family to turn to.
Here's a summary of disasters:

1. A nasty divorce left me ostracised from my family and my Muslim community. My sisters and brothers in-law sided with my 'perfect' ex. They spend Christmas and Eid together with my children, even holidaying abroad together. I believe this is how my children began to disrespect me.
2. All my deepest secrets including child sex abuse by my uncle were divulged to the community by my (now ex) husband. I was seen as soiled and damaged.
3. I thought 'well the secret is out' - so I took my late mum's brother to court and won: he got 7.5yrs.
4. In disgrace and in desperation, I did the worst thing: I took to drinking.
5. My ex and family contacted social services saying I am an unfit mother.
6. I lost residency of my children, now aged 15 and 17.
7. My 17yr old was expelled from school for fighting. Later, he was involved in gang related crime here in Tottenham. He is on bail.
8. My son left school without any qualifications. I need to get him back into the education system, essentially to repeat the year but don't know how. He has received credible death threats from local gangsters and is terrified. His two close friends were recently stabbed and he says he will be next, so I barely see him these days. I want to get him out of London, to start afresh. I don't know how.
9. For the first time in my life, I am on state benefits, stone broke. I do not have a penny to spare. Moving house to a safer location with my boy will cost a lot of money and Universal Credit won't cover it. I've spoken to the benefits office and was told that as I am a homeowner, I am considered solvent.

I don't know what to do. My son is in real danger and has no GCSEs, so no prospects. I've spoken to StepChange and Turn2Us, but am told that whilst I am able to work and have an asset ie. our home, I cannot get a mortgage holiday. In other words, I'd need to go into debt to qualify for a mortgage break so I can get my son a tutor or relocate to a safer neighbourhood.

I appreciate you reading this. Hope it makes sense.

What is your advice?

Hi OP. I also work in FE and just to add to the suggestions of looking at colleges you could look for a Prince's Trust course as a stepping stone. It might be too late in the academic year to enrol on many college courses and definitely too late for GCSEs this year but Prince's Trust courses are usually 12 weeks which help young people to get back on track and think about their futures. They will then support them with their next steps and most should be able to refer to a college course if that's what he wants Prince's Trust courses

@Conkered much appreciated, thanks.

@MrsMoose0 great idea, I shall try them today, thank you.

I'm sorry to hear of your situation OP. Please stop blaming yourself. It sounds as though your ex and his family have failed you and your son's. Your ex is a teacher and isn't concerned about your ds's safety? That's not typical for father's but especially a parent that's a teacher.

I'm sorry I don't have practical help. I'm sure your son can get into college without GCSEs though. Look at FE colleges. It might be easier for your D's to get away right now on his own. I second the suggestion of looking for residential hotel jobs. He could go, you could follow when you sort out the house. Or could he reach out to the greater Muslim community and seek help?

In the immediate time, has he been advised by youth services with experience of drug gangs about how to keep safe? Use a new name and change his phone number, stay off all social media etc...?

Hello @bookmarket thank you for your kind reply. Yes, all these things have been considered, and some are being reconsidered. I think the FE college idea is good, so is The Princes Trust. I will update you lovely people when I know more. x

ps. I am new to this forum and might be doing something wrong, but I can't open personal messages. Can anyone advise me as i have a notification i want to read!

Sisters, hello. I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed lately so took a little time off all social media. I just logged on here and it seems my private messages have disappeared! Think is, one in particular was from a fellow mum who is a mortgage adviser. She very kindly offered to talk me through te implications, ins and outs of my situation, which would have been super useful. I amd hoping she will read the thread and renew contact. If anyone knows how I might access my messages, please tell me! Thank you all so much. x

@Jadeshack1 great! And to say the internet woukd never catch on, hey.

How lovely of @Jadeshack1 to offer.
OP I hope you are doing okay and can get some good advice and support that really helps, both on here and in real life.