Staffordshire Youth Homelessness Joint Protocol (16-17) 2.0 The Plan

The process the partners will follow

  1. Young person has initial contact as homeless (defined at step 1) with Children's Services (including Early Help Teams and SFIFD) or with a district or borough council.
  2. Children's Services makes enquiries and investigation to clarify, inc. referral to IPS and speaking to wider family; or Duty Referral to Children's Services via Duty Hub/SFIFD/EDS. Housing makes enquiries and investigation to clarify situation.
  3. Social worker to complete CWSA within 10 working days, or update the CWSA/CIN, if already in place; or, if not already open to Children's Services, Housing to provide emergency accommodation if required. NB if the receiving agency does not have a suitable interim accommodation, then consultation will need to take place between agencies to see if there is a more suitable offer.
  4. Emergency accommodation provided by Children's Services, if required. NB if the receiving agency does not have suitable interim accommodation, then consultation will need to take place between agencies to see if there is a more suitable offer; or, following referral from Housing, SFIFD to raise a referral and allocate to Specialist Safeguarding Unit (SFU).
  5. Joint interview and assessment to be arranged and to take place as soon as possible involving Children's Services and Housing.
  6. a) Young person can return home
  • Teams work collaboratively to prevent homelessness
  • Assessment of s17 duties made by Children's Services
  • Return home is supported by IPS
  • If initial approach is made to Housing - a decision will be issued, either not homeless, end of prevention or relief.
  1. b) Young person accepts Children's Services accommodation
  • Children's Services provide support and accommodation (accommodation agreed by a critical friend conversation)
  • If initial approach is made to Housing - a decision will be issued, either end of relief duty or non-priority decision.
  1. c) Young person refuses section 20
  • Housing assessment under 1996 Housing Act, provide temporary accommodation and issue decision letter following assessment.
  • S17 Child In Need developed.
  • If eligible and homeless, accommodation and duties under S189B or S193 will continue until discharged.
  • If no suitable accommodation on offer, Children's Services to offer accommodation via S17. This will be explored at a joint interview.