Joint Working, Safeguarding and Initial Response
Safeguarding 16- and 17-year-olds who are homeless or at risk of homelessness is a shared multi-agency responsibility, in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children (2026) and the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act (2026). Children’s Services retain lead statutory responsibility for assessment, safeguarding and decision-making under the Children Act 1989, while Housing Authorities, education, health and wider partners share accountability for delivering a coordinated response.
No young person should be passed between services, required to choose between Children’s Services and Housing, or experience delays due to professional or organisational boundaries. A young person’s homelessness or accommodation status does not reduce safeguarding responsibilities, and all agencies must work proactively to share information, assess risk and plan support that prioritises welfare, stability and long-term outcomes.
The agency receiving the initial approach (Children’s Services or the Local Housing Authority) is responsible for gathering sufficient information to establish whether the young person is homeless or can safely return home, including understanding the reasons for family breakdown. Where issues can be resolved through immediate intervention—such as mediation, Early Help, or signposting—this should be undertaken without delay by the receiving service.
Where risk cannot be mitigated through short-term intervention, joint working must be initiated immediately. This includes a joint interview involving a Duty or allocated Social Worker and a Housing Officer (which may be undertaken virtually where appropriate), alongside the young person and advocate if required. This process should establish risk, identify accommodation options where necessary, and agree next steps to avoid unsuitable placements and provide clarity to the young person.
The Social Worker will ensure that all relevant information is shared with Staffordshire Children’s Advice and Support Service to facilitate multi-agency checks and completion of the referral process. Throughout, agencies must work collaboratively to ensure timely assessment, coordinated planning and appropriate accommodation and support arrangements.
