Scottish government published it's 2015/2016 youth homelessness figures today!

The good news is there has been an overall decrease in those presenting at homeless - 8,525 (2014/15) down to 7,762 (2015/2016)

However Relationship breakdown remains the biggest cause of youth homelessness in Scotland.

The number of young people leaving home due to relationships breakdown has reduced from 4863 (2014/15) down to 4448 (2015/16) however there is still so much that could be done!

How do we continue to ensure this number falls so that 0 young people have to live through the experience of homelessness?

How about making services that mediate between young people and their parents/carers, at that critical age of 14-24, more available throughout Scotland?
( a shameless plug for my own service !)

Evidence shows that in families that use these services, relationship issues are resolved enough for 70-80% of young people to remain or return home

To get closer to zero , family therapy,mental health services, counselling services might have to be geared up to better deal with more families, in conjunction with everyone else in society working towards lessening poverty and inequality

Shoot for the stars and you might hit the moon

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We need to start talking about meaningful relationships within families earlier, associating it to all aspects of family life, including how to seek help and support at the earliest indication of need. This course requires an inclusive and integrated system of services and resources that can respond effectively to the need at that time, and not at crisis point.

You’ve both mentioned early support for families and knowing where to look!

If our readers are looking for support with family relatioships check out our mediation service finder:

http://scottishconflictresolution.org.uk/map

or advice for young people http://scottishconflictresolution.org.uk/young-people

and parents and carers http://scottishconflictresolution.org.uk/parents-and-carers

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