When a 16 or 17-year-old child states that they are homeless, or are threatened with becoming homeless within 56 days, a report of this kind, by the young person or someone acting on their behalf. Requires the receiving agency to commence further investigation and ensure the Young Persons immediate safety before the matter can be referred to another supportive agency. Where the young person is from another Local Authority area, that Local Authority will be contacted to ascertain if they are known to them. A discussion will be completed as to which authority will accept responsibility for that young person, without delay.
Any immediate safeguarding matters will be addressed to ensure the young person is safe pending the outcome of the decision.
A young person may reach out to any of the following:
- Children’s Services - including Staffordshire Children’s Advice and Support Service, Early Help Teams and Safeguarding Teams, specialist safeguarding units.
- A Local Housing Authorities (District or Borough Council)
- Other voluntary or statutory organisations working with young people.
Other voluntary or statutory organisations, working with Young People, should contact Staffordshire Families Integrated Front Door with information about the young person reporting as being homeless or threatened with homelessness, or complete the ‘Duty to Refer’ online form for their Local Housing Authority.
A homeless approach can be received by telephone or in person by any part of Staffordshire County Council’s Children’s Services or the relevant housing authority. Whichever agency is the first point of contact, they will work collaboratively and arrange a joint interview. The duty social worker must, in all cases, make the appropriate arrangements with the Local Housing Authority to commence a joint interview that supports the young person to attend without delay.
A multi-agency assessment should make clear from the outset who is responsible for what actions, within what timescales, and what the possible outcomes of the assessment might be – in line with local protocols for assessment, as required under Working Together to Safeguard Children [5]
[5] Provision of accommodation for 16- and 17-year-olds who may be homeless and/or require accommodation Section 3 - Undertaking assessments
