To consider an update to the report titled ‘Meeting the Housing and Support Needs of Vulnerable Young People’ submitted to the Corporate Parenting Panel in October 2014.

Members considered a report which provided an update to that submitted to the Panel on 13 October 2014 (minute CPP/14/24 refers).  The original report had affirmed the housing service commitment to fulfilling the Council’s responsibility as a corporate parent within the context of a strategic housing agenda.

The Head of Housing Solutions introduced the report and advised that significant changes had been made since the meeting in 2014.  The Panel noted the action taken in three main areas, these being:

·         Improving access to Council and housing association tenancies

·         Improving access to specialist supported accommodation for vulnerable young  people

·         Improving operational collaboration.

Members were also advised of a number of proposed next steps albeit against the background of efficiencies and housing pressures, in particular a reduced number of social housing lettings.

The Chairman acknowledged the improvements which had been made but stated that, as this area of responsibility was still relatively new to her, she had still to understand what young people’s views were on the issue of housing and what constituted appropriate housing for them.

The Head of Housing Solutions stated that housing provision for Care Leavers varied.  Further the type of housing available in the future was likely to be affected by the impact of welfare reforms and it was possible that shared housing for young people, using the Amicus Housing Trust model, might be developed for Care Leavers.  He stressed, however, that there was no standard housing provision for Care Leavers and what was considered appropriate was determined by individual need/suitability.  The Head of Corporate Parenting also emphasised the importance of welfare reform impact given that Care Leavers were often dependant on housing benefit.  He added that whilst Care Leavers often wanted self contained accommodation some were not ready to take on this responsibility.  He added that identifying the funding stream for post 18 Care Leavers could also be challenging.

In response to a Member’s query both the Head of Corporate Parenting and the Head of Housing Solutions explained that joint working between colleagues across Directorates took place on the assessment of Care Leavers housing type suitability.  The Head of Housing Solutions stressed that landlords wanted assurance that an individual tenancy was sustainable and needed confidence that a young person was able to take on this responsibility.

A Member sought information on the numbers of those young people leaving care, what accommodation they were being provided with and whether it was approved by the Council.  She also asked how the safeguarding element was accessed, especially if a young person was being housed as the result of an emergency.  The Member expressed concern that some Care Leavers would not be able to cope in such situations.  The Assistant Director of Children’s Services Operations acknowledged the need to bring forward detail and experience on these issues for the Panel to consider.  He acknowledged that some individuals had experienced difficulties regarding accommodation and he undertook to provide a ‘spotlight report’ on this issue.

The Director of Children’s Services stressed the importance of joint working.  She also referred to the advantages of 18 year old Care Leavers staying with their former carers so that they continued to receive support.

A Member queried what happened to those young people who were parents when they reached 18.  In reply the Head of Corporate Parenting stated that there were a number of young mothers and their needs were prioritised. However, there was no significant challenge regarding accommodation for this group.  The Chairman then sought the views of the CiCC representatives on this point.  In response a CiCC representative set out her experiences of living in different accommodation following the breakdown of her foster placement.  She added that when she became pregnant at 17 she received full support and was in excellent accommodation.  She offered to prepare a note of her experience for Members.

In response to a Member’s question regarding the funding of young unaccompanied asylum seekers the Head of Corporate Parenting explained that this was dependant on the young person’s immigration status when they turned 18.  For most the Home Office would have made the decision that they could stay indefinitely so funding would be made available.  For the minority, who had exhausted their right of appeal and were not able to stay, there was no recourse to government funds but the Council had a statutory responsibility to care for them until they were 21 (or 25 if in education) or until they were deported.  The Assistant Director Children’s Services Operations added that the Council paid the care costs in full so they represented a budgetary pressure. 

Turning to Care Leavers and the risk of a breakdown in accommodation provision the Assistant Director Children’s Services Operations referred to the government’s ‘Staying Put’ guidance which set out the arrangements for Care Leavers of 18 and over to continue living with their former foster carers and how this had some government financial support.  He stressed that it was in the best interests of Care Leavers to remain and mature within a family context for as long as they were able to.  The Assistant Director added that the level of care for Care Leavers in independent accommodation was very low in comparison.

NOTED

the progress made since October 2014 towards an improved day to day experience of housing and support services by Care Leavers and towards improved access to supported accommodation for those Care Leavers that are not ready for independent accommodation at the age of 18.

RESOLVED

1          that a ‘Spotlight Report’, providing examples of young people in different types of accommodation situations and what their experiences and outcomes were, be submitted to the Panel;

2          that the ‘Next Steps’ in meeting the housing needs and support for young people, as set out within the report, be approved;

3          that statistical information be provided on the number of young people, how they move on and what type of housing offers they receive;

4          that, given the perceived demand for foyer type accommodation, information be supplied on what was currently available within Central Bedfordshire and what the aspiration was for future provision.