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Further Information - Understanding and Preventing
Youth Homelessness and Housing Crisis Through Education |
In 2004-2005 over 4000 young people between 16 and 17 turned to their local authority because they had nowhere safe and secure to stay. So while few S4 pupils are likely to think that homelessness will affect them personally, the figures tell a different story.
The home smart campaign took place in November 2006 and aimed to involve every S4 pupil in Scotland. A special lesson plan pack – with all the material for a 45 minutes session and many extras for those with time to do more – was sent to every school in Scotland. Each school was encouraged to register their leaving home and housing education activity and each registered school was eligible to win £200 for school equipment. The prize was won by Balnacraig school in Perth.
The home smart campaign aimed to prevent youth homelessness and housing crisis by:
- Helping every S4 young person understand that homelessness is something that can happen to anyone.
- Ensuring that every S4 young person knows that help and advice on leaving home and housing can be found: (i) at their local council; (ii) from www.leavinghome.info; and (iii) on the phone from Shelterline 0808 800 4444
- Encouraging every S4 young to appreciate the challenges of leaving home at an early age and the difficulties it can lead to.
In short, the campaign aimed to make every S4 young person in Scotland home smart.
The Scottish Council for Single Homeless has been providing resources for leaving home and housing education to Scottish schools for over ten years, including the award winning I’m Offski! video and lesson plans and Streets Ahead: the national guide to leaving home and housing for young people in Scotland.
For more information contact SCSH on 0131 226 4382.
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