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The law doesn't say exactly what help social services should give you. It depends on your personal situation, the help which is available in your area and the cost. Help ranges from accommodation to counselling.
The Housing Executive said it can't help me
The Housing Executive has a legal duty to give housing advice and information on preventing homelessness to anyone who asks in Northern Ireland. You may be able to get help from social services even if the Housing Executive has said it cannot help you because:
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How can social services help me?
The level of help you get depends on:
- your personal circumstances,
- help available in your area,
- how much it costs.
Social services may help you find emergency accommodation if you have nowhere to stay, or you are in danger if you return home. This emergency accommodation may be a hostel or a bed and breakfast .
Social services may also be able to help you find permanent accommodation. For example, getting you a place in specialist housing or paying your deposit so you can get accommodation from a private landlord.
When you speak to social services ask them for help with any problems you have. Social services offer a range of services to help you find or keep your home. For example, social services can offer you practical support, counselling or help with a drug or alcohol problem.
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If I ask for help will social services take my children into care?
Social services will usually only be able to forcibly take your children away if they are at serious risk by staying with you. Social services will have to get a court order before they are allowed to take your children away.
If you are homeless and you ask social services for help, they might decide that that the only way they can help you is to offer to accommodate your children, but not you. Social services may house your children apart from you. However, social services can't house your children apart from you without your agreement.
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Do social services have to do what I ask them to?
Social services will take your wishes into account when they decide the type of accommodation to give you. If you are 16 or over your wishes cannot be overruled by your parents and social services can't force you to go back home.
Social services should also consider your personal circumstances when deciding how to help you. For example, your gender, ethnic background and religion. However, it's important to be realistic, the type of accommodation you get depends on what is available in your area .
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What if social services don't help?
Social services may not offer you the kind of accommodation or services you need. You can make a complaint if social services:
- offer you unsuitable accommodation or services,
- refuse to look into your situation to check whether you are entitled to help.
Get advice from an advice agency before making a complaint, as the complaints procedure can be complicated.
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Homelessness Checklist
