Thousands of homeless teenagers having to ‘fend for themselves’

By The Press Association20th March 2015News EnglandHomelessness, Housing / Homelessness, News England, Young People / Youth Work, Youth Work

Thousands of homeless teenagers seeking help to find housing are being turned away by councils, putting them at risk of sexual exploitation and crime, a charity has warned.

The Children’s Society said many vulnerable teenagers were being forced to “fend for themselves” after an estimated 12,000 young people aged 16 and 17 asked English councils for help with accommodation each year.

Almost half (45%) were not assessed by local authorities, while four in five (80%) did not receive housing, according to the charity’s research.

The Children’s Society said councils were “breaking the law” by failing to follow statutory guidance and assess 16 and 17-year-olds who present themselves as homeless.

The charity’s chief executive Matthew Reed said: “It is a national disgrace that thousands of vulnerable teenagers, who may have escaped physical or sexual abuse at home, have gone to their council to get help in finding a safe home, only to be turned away.

“These teenagers are being hung out to dry. They are facing huge dangers from predators who seek to abuse or exploit them. Councils need to do much more to protect these vulnerable teenagers. Every teenager deserves a safe place to live.”

The charity’s figures were based on Freedom of Information requests to 353 councils in England, of which 259 replied.

In its report, Getting The House In Order, the Children’s Society said homeless 16 and 17-year-olds were “rarely given the same support as children in care”, such as access to an advocate or financial support.

Even homeless teenagers who were given accommodation still faced “huge risks”, it added.

Councils placed one in 12 (8%) of homeless 16 and 17-year-olds in B&Bs, despite Government guidance stating that form of accommodation is “unsuitable”, according to the charity.

A spokeswoman for the Children’s Society said: “Homeless teenagers are left with few options. They may be sent back to homes where there is violence or left rootless with no permanent home, facing threats of sexual abuse or being driven into crime.

“It has been well documented that B&Bs and hostels used to accommodate homeless people are targeted by sexual predators and drug dealers.

“Even where teenagers are housed in supported accommodation, the reality is that it may not be suitable as it is not inspected and is unregulated.”

The Children’s Society has now called for councils to ensure that all homeless teenagers are assessed and given adequate support.

There should be a ban on B&Bs being provided for homeless teens, while hostels and supported accommodation should be regulated, it said.

The charity is also lobbying the Government to ensure councils identify vulnerable 16 and 17-year-olds seeking help for homelessness and provide the same protection as care leavers.

Youth mentor Liam Hill, 22, from Staffordshire, who became homeless at the age of 16, said he was “passed from pillar to post and given no support from the council”.

“They put me in a cramped, cold room in a B&B that had no hot water, then in a hostel where people tried to sell me drugs all the time,” he said.

“After an argument with one of the other lads at the hostel, I was chucked out with nowhere to go. It was the middle of the night and pouring with rain and I ended up sleeping in an outside toilet.

“The council then put me back in a hostel. I felt like a piece of rubbish that had been dumped in the first place the council could find, not a teenager in desperate need of support and a safe place to live.”

Jon Sparkes, chief executive of homeless charity Crisis, said: “These are truly appalling figures. Homelessness is a horrifying experience for anyone, but it is especially damaging for young people, who are particularly vulnerable to violence, substance abuse and problems with mental and physical health.

“We cannot continue to fail our young people in this way. Councils must carry out proper assessments of homeless people coming to them for help and fulfil their legal duty to house under 18s in decent, appropriate accommodation.”

Paul Noblet, from the homeless charity Centrepoint, said: “For so many young people to be turned away without their needs being properly assessed is extremely worrying.

“We must remember they are children. Very often they will not know what support they are entitled to or have the confidence to persuade councils that going home is not an option.

“Not every young person will need to be accommodated, but ultimately we must ensure that young people get the support they need and deserve, and are not pushed from pillar to post.”

Homelessness minister Kris Hopkins said: “There is nothing more important than keeping children safe and the law is clear – any lone, homeless child in need aged 16 and 17 should not be abandoned by town halls and must be given appropriate support.

“It is rare for under-18s to become homeless but where they do they must be referred to children’s services for an assessment. The Government is working hard to prevent young people from becoming homeless and is taking action to ensure that all homeless people have access to the help they need to get back on their feet.”

A Local Government Association spokeswoman said: “It is a tragedy when anyone becomes homeless, and councils are facing real difficulties in finding emergency care for all homeless people due to a shortage of housing, welfare reforms and 40% cuts to council budgets over the lifetime of this Parliament.

“It is in everyone’s interest to remove unnecessary barriers which prevent homes being made available to those people who desperately need them.

“Councils are keen to play their part in this and could go further and faster to support the development of badly needed new homes if government gave councils greater financial flexibility.”