Few people like to complain. It takes time and effort - can be frustrating if things aren’t dealt with quickly, and is seen as something which older people do. But if you’ve got a problem or think that you’ve been treated unfairly, or you’re not getting the help you need, then you have to get it sorted out.

There are lots of people who are able to help and advise young people about their rights and what councils do to help and support them. Connexions Personal Advisers www.connexions.gov.uk can help you with all sorts of problems from difficulties at school to housing problems, as can Children’s Rights Officers appointed by your local council. If you have a complaint your local council may provide you with an ‘advocate’ (an independent person who will offer you advice and help you get your point across if you are unhappy with a council service or a decision which has been made which affects you). If you think you may need an advocate contact the National Youth Advocacy Service for further information - www.nyas.net

All young people receive services from their local council. Some receive more than others because they need help and support with difficulties they are facing. Without this help they may find it difficult to cope, or miss out on opportunities and experiences other young people enjoy. These are some examples of when local councils help children and young people.

• When young people are not able to live at home with their parent/s or carer they may be looked after for a period of time by their local council either in a children’s home or by being placed with a foster carer. For more information about being looked after go to the Who Cares? Trust website at: www.thewhocarestrust.org.uk or the Voice for the Child in Care website at: www.vcc-uk.org.
  
  
• Many young people experience difficulties in finding affordable housing and ask their local council either to provide them with temporary / permanent housing or for advice and support in finding somewhere to live. See the Shelter website http://england.shelter.org.uk/advice/advice-1010.cfm for more information
  
  
• Some young people may have to spend a lot of their time caring for a sick or disabled parent or relative and may need advice and support from their local council. Other young people may themselves need direct care or help with mobility and getting around. For more information and support see The Princess Royal Trust for Carers website for young carers at: www.youngcarers.net or The Children’s Society website for carers at: www.youngcarer.com.
  
  
• A small number of young people get into trouble at school, or can’t cope with it due to other circumstances in their lives and may need the help of an Education Welfare Officer at the council to find them an alternative to mainstream school or help them continue their education if they have left school or been excluded. (The LGO does not investigate complaints about how schools are run – but the Ombudsman is able to look at complaints about what provision is made for someone’s education if they are excluded from school).
  
  
• School age children and young people sometimes need extra help and support due to something like dyslexia or other problems with learning or concentration.
  
  
• Young people sometimes become parents before they had planned to and might need help and practical advice on all sorts of issues from childcare placements to housing.

 When things go wrong... 

If you are unhappy about a service you are receiving from a local council or feel you have been wrongly refused help and support ask how to make a complaint, and what help is available to you in getting your grievance heard. If you want some advice and information from the LGO see the How To Contact Us section.