This protocol is guided by the following agreed principles:
- All agencies will work effectively together to keep our young people safe.
- Our young people will be supported to live with their immediate families or, where this is not safe or appropriate, with responsible adults in their wider family and friends’ network.
- Our young people in crisis will receive a consistent, practical and immediate response from whichever agency they first approach with interventions that focus on preventing homelessness.
- Safeguarding concerns will be shared with Procedures - SSCP
- Bed and breakfasts are not suitable for use by Children’s Services or Local Housing Authority to accommodate 16- and 17-year-olds, even on a temporary basis. Where B&B is the only accommodation available, Children Services and the Local Housing Authority will work collaboratively to secure an agreed suitable accommodation option. [2]
- Our young people will be given every opportunity to understand the options available to them to enable them to make informed choices about their future.
- Our young people will be provided with information about accessing independent advice and support, including details of any local advocacy services.
- Children’s Services will take the lead regarding assessing and meeting the needs of 16- and 17-year-olds who seek help because of homelessness given that the Children Act (1989) takes precedence over the Housing Act, (1996) Act. [3]
Staffordshire Housing Partnership (Young People) have recognised that without specialist Young Person’s accommodation being widely available across Staffordshire County, there may be situations where both Children’s services and the Local Housing Authority will need to work collaboratively to formulate the decision to place our young person in a Bed and Breakfast provision. These will be in exceptional circumstances, with the appropriate Director / Senior Manger oversight and agreement.
Footnotes:
3.4 Where a 16- or 17-year-old seeks help or is referred, and it appears that they have nowhere safe to stay that night, then children’s services must secure suitable emergency accommodation for them under section 20 of the 1989 Act, whilst their needs, including their need for continuing accommodation and support, are further assessed. If the young person is accommodated for a continuous period of more than 24 hours the young person will become looked after.
[3]Provision of accommodation for 16- and 17-year-olds who may be homeless and/or require accommodation (publishing.service.gov.uk)
1.3 Whilst the section 20 Children Act 1989 duty takes precedence, housing services also have duties towards young people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness. Duties owed by each service will depend on a range of factors, including which service they initially seek help from; the outcomes of any assessments and enquiries; and the wishes and feelings of the young person and their family. It is therefore essential that children’s services and housing services work together to plan and provide services that are centred on young people and their families and prevent young people from being passed back and forth between services.
