COUNCILS in the South West are failing to protect hundreds of vulnerable teenagers at risk of homelessness, according to a charity’s research.

 A report launched on Friday, March 20, Getting the House in Order, by charity The Children’s Society, shows that across the capital an estimated 800 teenagers aged 16 and 17 ask their local authority for emergency help with housing each year – but almost half (380) are turned away and left to fend for themselves.

The research based on Freedom of Information requests, sent to 353 local councils across England and compiled from 259 responses, also reveals that homeless 16- and 17-year-olds are rarely given the same support as children in care, such as access to an advocate or financial support.

The Children’s Society is calling for councils to join up their services and make sure that all teenagers who seek help for homelessness are assessed and given adequate support.

Liam Hill, 22, a youth mentor, who became homeless aged 16 after his relationship with his mum broke down, said: “I was passed from pillar to post and given no support from the council.

"They put me in a cramped, cold room in a B&B that had no hot water, then in a hostel where people tried to sell me drugs all the time.

“After an argument with one of the other lads at the hostel, I was chucked out with nowhere to go. It was the middle of the night and pouring with rain and I ended up sleeping in a public toilet.

"The council then put me back in a hostel. I felt like a piece of rubbish that had been dumped in the first place the council could find, not a teenager in desperate need of support and a safe place to live.”

Across England, an estimated 12,000 homeless 16 and 17-year-olds ask councils for help with housing each year but more than 5,000 are turned away.

Matthew Reed, chief executive of The Children’s Society, which helps vulnerable young people at risk of child abuse and exploitation, said: “It is a disgrace that hundreds of vulnerable teenagers, who may have escaped physical or sexual abuse at home, have gone to their council to get help in finding a safe home, only to be turned away.

“These teenagers are being hung out to dry. Few have the money or resources to find new accommodation and their options are limited.

"At best they might rely on the goodwill of friends or family, at worst they may be forced to return to an unsafe home or to live on the streets.

"They are facing huge dangers from predators who seek to abuse or exploit them. Councils need to do much more to protect these vulnerable teenagers. Every teenager deserves a safe place to live.”