Use of 'Unsuitable Accommodation' for Young People aged 18 - 21 yrs

IMPORTANT NOTE: THESE OPTIONS ARE TO BE EXPLORED IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN ALL OTHER OPTIONS HAVE BEEN DISCOUNTED AND ONLY BY AGREEMENT WITH THE HEAD OF SERVICE

SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER

This chapter seeks to identify and address those occasional situations when a young person has to be placed in temporary or 'Bed and Breakfast' accommodation on an emergency basis. In this situation, two establishments have been identified that are regularly inspected. Young people in such placements will be visited daily and receive additional support.

RELATED CHAPTERS

Leaving Care Policy

RELEVANT GUIDANCE

DfE, The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 3: Planning Transition to Adulthood for Care Leavers

AMENDMENT

In May 2022, this chapter was updated throughout.

1. Care Leavers Aged 18-21 Years Placed in "Unsuitable Accommodation"

Introduction

Department for Education guidance issued in March 2014 clarified that accommodation is regarded as 'suitable' if it provides safe, secure and affordable provision for young people. Accommodation that clearly exposes a young person to risk of harm or social exclusion by reason of its location or other factors is regarded as unsuitable.

Unsuitable' accommodation is defined as:

  • Emergency accommodation (e.g. night shelter, direct access, emergency hostel) used in a crisis. It excludes short-term accommodation designed to move young people on to stable long-term accommodation;
  • Bed and Breakfast establishments;
  • Being homeless and temporarily staying with friends as an emergency measure. It excludes young people in an agreed flat-share with friends with a tenancy agreement;
  • Custody (this is outside the remit of this risk assessment).

Care Leavers placed in or moving to 'unsuitable' accommodation will be identified by their Leaving Care Team Personal Adviser. The Personal Adviser will then meet(within four weeks) with the Leaving Care Team Housing Worker to assess the situation and devise a plan to move the care leaver to 'Suitable Accommodation'. Any plan that will involve the use of the Care Leaver budget will need to be agreed by the Leaving Care Team budget holder.