To receive a presentation by the Assistant Director Housing Services.

The Panel received a presentation from the Assistant Director Housing Services and the Team Manager – 13+ Transition & Leaving Care entitled ‘Suitable Accommodation for Looked After Children and Care Leavers’.

A copy of the slide pack is attached at Appendix C to these minutes.

The Assistant Director Housing Services and Team Manager introduced their presentation and expanded on the issues contained within it as they went.  During the introduction the Assistant Director explained that, under the legacy authorities, supported housing provision had largely been centred in the towns of Luton and Bedford.  The local authority reorganisation had therefore lead to gaps in service provision within Central Bedfordshire and the resources that were available tended to be used in an uncoordinated way.  In addition the matching of suitable support with the accommodation provided was an on-going challenge.  The Assistant Director added that the lack of sufficient supported housing provision gave rise to a risk of social disconnection and exclusion amongst some young people.  He also stressed the need to ensure that accommodation was not just be affordable but met the needs of client groups.

A Member suggested the provision of accommodation within walking distance of a young person’s job or college as this would reduce or remove travel costs.  She suggested discussions take place with businesses in towns regarding this point.

Another Member commented that the Council’s design guide did not support the future provision of one bedroom accommodation and this could generate shortages.  The Assistant Director Housing Services acknowledged this point but explained that this type of accommodation was largely used by older people for whom it was regarded as unsuitable.  As a result it was proposed that older people should be encouraged to relocate to more suitable housing stock and the existing one bedroom properties be offered to young people.  However, he also indicated that he was aware of the possibility of social isolation arising and that, as a possible alternative, the use of three bedroomed properties by suitable young people was under consideration.  He acknowledged that various management issues relating to the use of three bedroomed properties for this purpose remained outstanding.

A CiCC representative informed the meeting of the problems which could arise for young persons who, having succeeded in gaining a tenancy at 16, lost their personal support on reaching 18 and then found they were unable to cope independently due to a lack of life skills training.  In response the Assistant Director Housing Services acknowledged the need to work with individuals to ensure that they were taught the right skills to be able to live independently.  Discussion took place on the robustness of the Council’s procedures in both recognising that a problem existed and then remedying it.  The CiCC representative also referred to other matters, such as mental health issues, which prevented a successful move to independent living by some young people and stated that these sometimes remained unrecognised.  In response the Head of Corporate Parenting referred to the role of the new Support for Success Panel in ensuring that a gap in personal support did not arise.  The Team Manager reminded the meeting of the development of the Independent Life Skills Programme to provide core skills and assured Members that officers were fully focused on the needs of individual young people and their suitability to move to independent living.

A Member felt that the possibility of individual living at 16 was too young and she expressed concerns over safeguarding. She suggested that, instead, a transition period between 16 – 24 years of age should be introduced for young people in order to prepare them for such a major change.  The Member then referred to the suggested use of three bedroomed properties and queried the impact of the occupants being able to afford the cost of full Council Tax payments.

The Assistant Director Housing Services explained that the most common cause of homelessness was parental eviction due to either a breakdown in relationships or as a means by which to secure accommodation.  He added that the Council’s new Allocations Policy would prevent the use of parental eviction as a means to obtain housing.  Following further discussion the Assistant Director stated that the new Allocations Policy would clearly articulate what its requirements were and these would be embedded in the Council’s Annual Lettings Plan.

In response to a query from the Chairman regarding CiCC input into the new allocation policy the Assistant Director stated that he did not believe there had been specific consultation with Looked After Children.  However, he undertook to what consultation had taken place and report back to Members.

Discussion took place on the teaching of life skills, education choices and apprenticeships for Looked After Children. 

NOTED

the presentation on suitable accommodation for Looked After Children and Care Leavers.

RESOLVED

1             that the Assistant Director Housing Services submit a report to the Panel setting out the new Allocations Policy for consideration;

2          that the Assistant Director Housing Services submit a report to the Panel setting out the new Housing Pathways for Care Leavers following its development by 30 June 2014;

3          that the Assistant Director Children’s Services Operations submit a report to the next meeting of the Panel updating Members on the progress made in encouraging the Council’s business partners to offer apprenticeships to Looked After Children.