Agenda item

Diane Booth

To receive feedback on work being carried out around housing.

Diane Booth updated the Board on progress that was being made with housing and homelessness.

Attached is a copy of the letter on the Children and Social Work Bill that was sent to Edward Timpson.

The Local Authority has a Board called SALO which stands for "Supported Accommodation Learning Offer" which Bob Stott chairs.  There are lots of Task and Finish Groups coming out of it which are continuing the engagement of CYP and challenging suitability around accommodation.  The Board are looking at five different areas as outlined on the Positive Pathways Model document attached to these minutes.

A Housing Strategy is also being developed and at a recent conference in Lancashire, all Chief Executives and Leads for Housing from the District Councils turned up, which is a very positive message.  It will also include 18/19 year olds who have never been in care, however, may be vulnerable, out of work and homeless.

Annette McNeil has been doing a piece of work around accommodation that care leavers have been in over the last 12 months.

However, there are barriers, as the housing benefits are due to change soon, which will have implications and will not be able to meet the needs of an 18 year old living alone, which is very challenging for the young person.

Action:  Diane Booth to forward the legislation to CC Prynn that this has come from and when it is due to come in.

The challenge to the Authority is to support care leavers up 25, however more information is required before the offer can be given.  Hopefully further information will be available at the September CPB meeting.  Children's Social Care (CSC) Senior Managers met with Care Leavers on 15 June 2016 to discuss further and Diane will be meeting with LINX again in two weeks' time.  The districts are driving this and Housing Needs Officers are really keen and knowledgeable around benefits and what can and cannot be reasonably met.

Diane updated on joint training will be provided to care leavers and homeless young people by their Personal Advisors up to the age of 21 years of age.  Care leavers will receive a £2000 leaving care grant to help them set up their accommodation.  Six independence training sessions are also planned and if successful we will roll this out across the Districts.  Wraparound support is crucial.

It was raised that later on within the private rented sector, it needs to be part of the framework agreement to give the young person a second chance.

Diane outlined that The Staying Put Policy also needs to be reviewed and this can be done as part of the Care Leavers Group.

Action:  Care Leavers Task Group to review The Staying Put Policy.

A young person asked what the plans were for Out of Hours Support outside of 9am-5pm?  Talks are taking place with Service 6, where this service is working really well and look at expanding it and making it more permanent.  The young person suggested looking at an advice line with a rota of professionals who work with Care Leavers – work in conjunction with the Emergency Duty Team.

Action:  Barbara Bath to look at ways of providing Out of Hours support to Care Leavers.