[ForeverAutumn*]

Hm, he wouldn't necessarily be sent straight to a children's home if he chose to report it. A social worker would most likely be assigned to his case, and after an investigation would decide where the best place to send him would be. Often, the goal of a social worker will be to place the child somewhere where the child's life will be disrupted as least as possible - the social worker would try to find a relative or close family member your friend could live with for the time being. Your friend might go into a foster home for a little while - but again, somewhere where his life wouldn't be disrupted too much, the social worker would try to find him a home in his city, somewhere he'd be able to stay at the same school etc.

How old is your friend, Bella? The reason I ask is because if he's a certain age, he could try petitioning for emancipation [I'm not too sure about emancipation laws in your country but I could look into them if you'd like] or move out and get his own place. There are definitely ways he can get out of his home...try talking with him about finding another family member he can move in with, or finding a friend he could stay with for a little while until things are under control.