Agenda item

The Chairman explained that a Housing Officer was not able to attend the meeting and consideration had been given as to whether the item on the use of bed and breakfast accommodation should be deferred, but it had been decided that the item was too important and a response could be received from the Housing Officers at the next meeting.

Selina Rawitz explained that 17 young people had been placed in bed and breakfast accommodation in the past year – although none of those were under the age of 18. There were complex reasons as to why these placements had been made but members of the Corporate Parenting Board were being asked to give their support to ensure that options were available for young people so that bed and breakfast accommodation would not be necessary.

The reasons that it can be hard to find young people more suitable accommodation could include:

·       Significant offending behaviours

·       Violence or sexual offending

·       Anti-social or aggressive behaviour

·       Substantial substance misuse

·       Mental health problems or personality disorders which meant the young person did not want to engage

·       Not wanting to move somewhere else to live or move away from a particular area

·       Not wanting communal or joint living arrangements

·       Poor money management – although workers can now offer support in this area to young people up to the age of 25

·       Prior evictions with young people becoming labelled as intentionally homeless

·       A narrowing of options once sequential placements had proved unsuitable

At present 2 young people were in bed and breakfast accommodation.

Rhys Davies gave an example of the sort of complex situation which could lead to a care leaver becoming homeless.

In the ensuing discussion the following points were made:

·       The Countywide scheme ‘prevention of eviction’ was being developed by Partners

·       It was queried whether not using any bed and breakfast accommodation was actually achievable, but it was argued that it was, as other local authorities had achieved it; although it was a complex issue which was only partly due to a lack of resources

·       There was a concern that once young people reach 25 they do not have anyone to offer them support

·       The need for investment in early intervention was recognised in order to stop difficult situations arising in the first place

·       It was queried whether it was possible to build a solution and whether that solution should be one unit for the County or whether each District needed its own building

·       A cultural shift was needed along with a joint focus from all partners so that all Corporate Parents could be clear that bed and breakfast accommodation was not acceptable. Existing provision also needed to be effectively utilised

·       It was pointed out that Worcester City was buying property in order to help the situation

·       It was suggested that other Districts needed to take action along with the Safeguarding Partnerships, housing providers and the Voluntary Sector

RESOLVED that the Corporate Parenting Board would continue to progress the discussion around the issue of housing provision for Care Leavers at its next meeting in Wyre Forest to which Housing Representatives from each District had been invited.