The outcome of the initial contact with the young person (Step 1), and any follow-up work will be recorded to enable information sharing between all relevant partners dependant on consent. Local Housing Authority will refer all 16 -17-year-olds who are confirmed as being homeless to Staffordshire Children’s Services.
In all cases of confirmed homelessness, joint home visits will be carried out to families and carers unless there are safeguarding concerns, as set out in Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026: Statutory Guidance. This visit must be completed within 5 working days after the initial approach from the young person. This will constitute the ‘initial visit’ for Children’s Services which triggers the start date of the Child Social Work Assessment.
The objective of this initial joint visit is to achieve family reunification, a referral to Staffordshire Children’s Services’ Intensive Prevention Service will also be explored.
Where a young person cannot return home, this joint assessment will investigate all suitable and available accommodation options with the responsible adults of the child, including their wider family and friends’ network.
