Guidance defines support for homeless teenagers

The government has issued guidance to clarify the roles housing departments and social services should play in helping homeless 16 and 17-year-olds.

The guidance says children’s services must assess every 16 and 17-year-old ‘without exception’ who is like to become homeless within 28 days to assess their needs.

It suggests housing departments work with social services but that ‘the initial approach or referral to integrated services should be treated in the same way as an initial approach or referral to children’s services’.

The guidance was published jointly by the Communities and Local Government department and Department for Children, Schools and Families last week, and follows two recent High Court rulings concerning homeless young people.

It states: ‘Where a 16 or 17-year-old seeks help or is referred, and it appears he or she has nowhere safe to stay that night, then children’s services must secure suitable emergency accommodation for them.’

Where it is decided children’s services do not have a duty to the young people, housing services are ‘reminded they must consider all applications for accommodation or assistance in obtaining accommodation’.

‘Authorities cannot refuse to assist an applicant on the basis that the applicant may not (or does not) have a local connection with the district,’ it says.

It also says 16 and 17-year-olds must be housed in ‘suitable accommodation’ which can include foster care, children’s homes, supported lodgings, foyers, and other types of supported accommodation, but not bed and breakfasts.