what are the options for a 16 yr old escaping an abusive houseold

[brimfull]

dd has a friend whose father physically threatens and abuses her.The mother is aware of it.

She wants to move out ,but has no where to go.

What are the options available to her.

Can't she contact the police? Or someone do it for her?

could you put her up?

I only ask because my old boss found himself in exactly your situation and took the girl in. Twas all agreed and sorted and the two girls bunked in together (they didn't have a spare room or anything) and she ended up living with them quite happily for years, and it suited everyone.

what would the police do?

she has thought about childline but says that she thinks her parents would split up because of it

I was a bit about that but that's what dd says.

I suppose I could but dd's not really keen.

God that sounds so selfish

Do you have a local foyer - she would probably meet their criteria for housing - although she would need to wait for a place to become available. She would benefit from speaking to a homelessness officer at the council too.

what's a local foyer?

ggirl - not selfish at all. Your first and foremost responsibility is to your family. If dd is not keen, then this girl will have to find an alternative arrangement.

Tis good of you to want to help.

You could try and speak to someone at social services and see what they suggest - I don't think that there are many options for a 16 year old tbh, but it is worth asking someone professional... you don't have to give any details if you don't feel comfortable.

At 16, she could possibly get fostered lodgings, It's what I got at 16 in a similar situation, although I had been in the eyes of the SS for a few years.
Basically the SS will watch out for her for the next two years, but put ehr up at someone's house and get housing benefit etc paid o that person, it is possible for someone new to get into fostered lodging, my best friends mum took me in after about 3months of living in the first house, SS okayed it and someone else paid her for me living there.
Get her to call someone, she shouldn't be there, because of my experiences I'd go with squonks idea, if any of my DC's come to me with the same dilemma I'd try and take them in.

Not sure if that's clear, there are established people that are ready to take in 16 year olds under the fostered lodgings thing, or there were when I was 16, tis 11 years ago now though.

ggirl www.foyer.net/mpn/

she's hoping to carry on in school

what does foyer stand for

It's a concept that originally started in France....doesn't stand for anything in particular but does encourage continuation of work/training/education.Read the website for locations.

nearest one is too far for her to attend the college she wants to go to.

shit=I'm gonna have to offer aren't I

It's worth talking to the local women's aid groups - they might not be able to help directly but they will certainly know what to do and where to direct her? They're there for advice and help/info for any family violence/abusive situation, not just for "domestic violence"
www.womensaid.org.uk/landing_page.asp?section=000100010024&sectionTitle=Find+a+local+service is a link that directs people to the right services

amber-that website is great, loads of useful info.thanks

thanks everyone for your help,dd really not keen on having her stay with us,she's a huge personality this girl ,we will do all we can to help her

My god daughter went to her local connexions office when her mother kicked her out of home. They got her a B&B place, fairly local.

They suggested against family/friends helping out with accomadation as they would see that as her having somewhere to go & try & encourage those people to support her. Which you may not want to get into.

She is now 19 in a one bed flat.

I hope she manages to get somewhere.

Should have said she was 16 too!

I left home at 16, i was at college though and they sorted out a hostel for me and eventually i got a flat share. she should find a teacher she trusts at school and talk to them they will then bring in social services who will accomodate her.

If she goes to connexions then they will help her to organise it all. They will make her an appointment with the homeless unit at the local council and also with social services for a vulnerability assessment.

They would also help the girl to claim the benefits she's entitled to and so on.

Connexions as soon as possible.

here is some info

shelter - i can't recommend them enough - in your siuation ggirl i would ring these and ask there advice. they really know what they are talking about

I don't know riven-maybe she's worried the father will take it out on her don't know the family,have met the mum when she's picked her dd up from here.They live out in the middle of nowhere.
We have thought about the possibility that it's all exagerrated but dd seems to think it is genuine.

I agree with riven - before getting involved you need to know a bit more of the story.
I know this because my daughter did it .
Fortunately for her she had a dad to go to but she's telling herself a story based on a single incident (which I witnessed0 which wasn't abuse at all...

very difficult to get the whole story when I don't know the family though.

I can talk to her and make my own view.

The thing is her mum is open to her moving into the town anyway for 6th form as it'll make things a lot easier for them regarding transport.

I too agree with Riven. Things might not be as they appear.