National Youth Homelessness Scheme

Looking after yourself

Looking after your-self well includes having good personal hygiene and also being registered with, and using, health services such as the dentist and GP.

Some young people may not have learnt basic hygiene habits from their parents and carers when they were growing up. Young people preoccupied with drug use or experiencing mental health problems can also find it particularly difficult to look after their health and hygiene. Supporting young people to maintain good personal hygiene can help build their self-esteem and enable them to have more confidence in their appearance and in how they are perceived by others.

The subject of personal hygiene needs to be tackled sensitively so as not to encroach on young people's privacy, and to avoid potential hurt and embarrassment. Individual concerns are best addressed on a one-to-one basis, ideally through key working sessions. This might involve prompting young people on a daily basis to encourage routines for washing and self presentation. Young people may also need practical help to learn particular skills such as how to clean their teeth properly, how to change bedclothes, and how to use washing machines (NCB 2006).

Young people need to be to make use of the full range of health care services such as GP, dentist, pharmacist, health living centres and opticians. They may need to learn about the full range of services available and need encouragement to use them effectively for e.g. dentistry check ups, or eye tests.

Good practice in supported housing includes:

  • Providing toiletries like shower gel, deodorants, nail clippers/scissors, shampoo, soap, toothpaste, and for young women, sanitary protection.
  • Group sessions to promote particular topics - for example a session on dental health might involve using disclosing tablets as a fun learning tool.
  • Encouraging and helping young people to find the location of all local health care services
  • Providing information on local health care services and encouraging and helping young people to use these services.

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