6. Presentation to services
6.1 Homelessness itself could constitute a safeguarding concern for 16/17-year-olds and should trigger an appropriate response to ensure their safety and wellbeing. Safeguarding checks should be completed as part of the Homelessness Assessment and following the SAFER and consideration of Child in Need status.
When a 16 or 17 year old young person presents as homeless, the Housing Officer will carry out initial enquiries over the phone to establish if the young person is at immediate risk of homelessness. A subsequent face-to-face appointment can be arranged if needed. The officer must gather as much information as possible to help determine their circumstances. This will include establishing if the young person is open to children’s social care and if so, who their social worker/ personal advisor is.
6.2 A homelessness assessment will be carried out by the Housing Advice Officer with the young person and his/her family or carers (except in cases where there are child protection concerns) to confirm whether the young person is:
- eligible for assistance;
- homeless;
- threatened with homelessness (within 56 days); or,
- whether it is possible for them to leave as part of a planned process.
The aim of the homelessness assessment is to establish a range of housing options and solutions by promoting a planned process with the aim of preventing the need for a homeless application and/or Section 20 accommodation.
6.3 In seeking to resolve the presenting situation, the preferred option, wherever possible and safe to do so, is to maintain the young person within his/her family as this is likely to lead to better outcomes.
6.4 Where it is established that there is no immediate risk or threat of homelessness within 56 days, the relevant Housing Officer should refer to the Children’s Hub, the aim of the referral is to ensure the young person is allocated to the appropriate team in Children’s Services.
6.5 Where it is established that a young person is homeless, or threatened with homelessness, and cannot remain in the family or carer’s home, the young person should be referred to The Children’s Hub and Housing Advice Team via a SAFER referral. If the young person is not currently open to Children’s Services, the Housing Officer should complete the SAFER and, subsequently, complete the Homeless Assessment jointly with a CHUB Social Worker. If the young person is open to Children’s Services, the allocated Social Worker should complete the SAFER and then work alongside the Housing Officer to complete the Homeless Assessment. The latest version of the SAFER is available for download at Tees Safeguarding Children Partnerships' Procedures.The SAFER should be completed with consent from the young person and include as much information as possible.
6.6 If there is reason to believe the young person may be eligible for assistance, may be homeless and may be 16 or 17 years of age, the Housing Advice Team has a duty to some young people to secure interim accommodation (section 188(1) of the 1996 Act) pending a decision whether any substantive duty is owed under Part 7. Such accommodation must be suitable for a 16 and 17 year old and needs to be secured in cooperation with Children’s Services to ensure the accommodation is Ofsted Registered or that suitable support from social care staff is provided. NB in the Case Law: R (G) v Southwark 2009 the judgement made clear that Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 provides a safety net only for those (very few) homeless young people who will not meet the criteria for accommodation under Section 20 of the 1989 Act. A Child and Family Assessment must be made in respect of all homeless 16/17 year olds.
6.7 The Children’s Hub Head of Service or Team Manager can authorise interim suitable accommodation pending assessment. This would include liaison with the Head of Service for Children’s Commissioning to establish the availability of emergency temporary accommodation pending assessment outcomes. Outside of office hours, the Emergency Duty Team Social Worker would need to seek authorisation for interim suitable accommodation from the on-call Head of Service.
6.8 All young people that are offered interim accommodation will remain in such accommodation for no more than four weeks. Any further extension to this time must be approved by Children’s Services Assistant Director. Approval will be sought by the allocated Social Worker, who must also provide the rationale for the proposed extension and an exit plan from the provision.
6.9 Options for interim accommodation include but are not limited to:
- foster carer placements
- crash pads via Ofsted approved commissioned service providers
- other accommodation available via Ofsted approved commissioned service providers
- Bed and Breakfast / hotels / holiday lets – the use of such accommodation must be approved by the Director of Children Services (and in their absence the Assistant Director) and is only used in exceptional circumstances where no other alternative accommodation is available. Children’s Services are required to provide appropriate staffing support for the young person whilst in such accommodation. This is not the preferred accommodation option and will be used only out of absolute necessity and not by choice. The Director of Children’s Services will make the necessary arrangements for Ofsted to be notified of the use of such unregulated provision.
6.10 All 16 and 17 year old young people that are placed in interim accommodation must be discussed at the next available Supported Housing Panel meeting, ensuring that their accommodation needs are being (re)considered and statutory responsibilities being met. The allocated social worker must complete the referral form for panel (see appendix 1) and send it to ChildrensCommissioning@hartlepool.gov.uk to be added to the agenda.
6.11 The Supported Housing Panel administrator will receive and process all relevant referrals, ensuring sufficient information is included within the referral for decisions to be made. They will also ensure appropriate invites are made to relevant professionals so that the right people are at the panel meeting and fully informed decisions can be made.
6.12 The Housing Advice Officer will work alongside the Children’s Hub, Safeguarding and Assessment, the Leaving Care Team is to ensure the housing needs of young people are met. This includes support in the identification of the most suitable accommodation (both temporary and permanent) for a young person.