Description:Offers information and advice on how to understand the needs of homeless young people, and how to ensure they are supported better. This book combines the research and practice to establish what works better when helping young homeless people and provides insights into their world through diary excerpts and interviews. What is youth homelessness? -- The characteristics of young homeless people -- A history of youth homelessness -- Geographical distribution of youth homelessness -- Something to do : education, training and employment -- Family : a help or a hindrance? -- Friends and acquaintances : helping young people to maintain and rebuild social networks -- Drugs and alcohol : dealing with substance misuse -- Housing and support : working for sustainable futures -- The human factor : what works when responding to adolescent behaviour? -- The future of services for the homeless