4.11.4 Young People Presenting as Homeless to the 16+ Team |
Contents
1. Introduction
The aim of this document is to set out a framework for assessing young people who present as homeless to the 16 + Team in Luton.
It is recognized that young homeless people constitute a particularly vulnerable group of young people. The key legislation that applies and shapes services for this group is the Children Act 1989, the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000, the Housing Act 1996 and Codes of Guidance and the Homelessness Act 2002 The Children Act 2004. These pieces of legislation are brought together in the concept of the 'Corporate Parent' and the document that supports this protocol is "Joint Working between Housing & Children's Services" Preventing Homelessness& Tackling its effects on Children & Young People. This requires the local authority as a whole to provide planned and 'joined-up' services to this group of young people. This document also acknowledges recent case law May 2009, relating to G V Southwick which considered how local authorities supported homeless young people aged 16/17.
The main aim of this protocol is to plan for the needs of homeless young people under the age of 18 years in Luton. The 16+ Team will assess each individual case using the C.A.F. assessment tool, which will identify the needs in each case and how these can best be met.
2. Aim and Objective
The aims and objectives of this process are to.
- To complete a thorough assessment identifying need and how best this can be met as via the action plan. As part of this the assessor needs to make clear as to the legislative approach, which will be supporting this intervention specifically whether this will take place under Section17 or 20 of T.C.A. 1989.
- Put in place a personalized support package based on a C.A.F. assessment the aim of which is to meet the identified needs of the client covering all the five outcomes.
- Wherever possible to support young people remaining in or returning to the family home unless it would be unsafe or inappropriate to do so.
- Wherever possible to improve relationships within the family home supporting a successful return to the family home mediation service is available.
- As appropriate signpost into clear and flexible accommodation support pathways.
- As appropriate signpost into to safe secure accommodation in emergency situation.
- Planned move toward independence using clear flexible accommodation support pathways.
- Support into E.E.T. if they are N.E.E.T.
- Ongoing support to ensure they are able to maintain their accommodation and early intervention in the event of a crisis.
- Where necessary work with colleagues in Housing to identify appropriate accommodation for the young person.
3.
Homeless Assessment
- A C.A.F. assessment will be completed when a young person aged 16 or 17 who is normally resident in Luton presents as homeless or that they are threatened with becoming homelessness. At this point the young person must be interviewed to ascertain the reasons for the referral. The C.A.F. form will be used to complete the assessment in order to identify the needs of the young person, and how these can best be met.
- It is essential that every effort is made to support placement with the family if safe to do so, this should include referral to the mediation agency with whom Luton Borough Council have a Service Level Agreement in place. If mediation is identified as a possible solution to the issue then this must be completed, otherwise the referral will be refused.
- Again, alternative placements with family / friends should also be explored if identified within the assessment. Research indicates that once estranged from birth family reconciliation is problematic.
- It is essential that at this point, proof of estrangement is evidenced. This should be in the form of a letter to the department from those exercising parental responsibility at that time and confirmed by contact with the person exercising parental responsibility. Again mediation can play a crucial role in supporting the family staying together long term.
- Where it is established following assessment that the client does meet the criteria for being homeless then consideration needs to be given to whether or not they need to move in to the care of the Local Authority under section 20 of The Children Act 1989, or whether their needs can be met via section 17 of T.C.A. 1989.
- In the event that the assessment concludes that the young person's need's can only be met by them being accommodated under section 20 of the T.C.A. 1989. Then the 16+ Duty officer will make the appropriate arrangements to support this intervention may be short term or longer term dependant as to the need identified. The young person will then become a L.A.C. and will receive appropriate support in line with statutory guidance.
- In the event that the assessment concludes that the young person needs can be met without the need for Section 20 T.C.A. 1989 support then the duty officer will make arrangements to support under Section 17 of T.C.A. 1989. With regard to appropriate accommodation the 16+ Duty Officer will make referral to the local Hostels /LAMP accommodation providers and may also explore private providers in order to signpost the young person into appropriate suitable accommodation.
- At this point the case will be opened to the 16 + Team under Section 17 support and the coordinator of the support will be the Duty Officer. This support will be provided via the C.A.F. Action Plan which will have identified the level of support needed.
- In the event that there are no vacancies with the Hostel/Lamp /Private Accommodation providers the duty officer will then approach the Homeless persons Office at L.B.C. to support with accommodation. At this point a referral will be made using the C.A.F. for information.
- The 16+ Duty Officer will accompany the young person to the interview in order to support them and further outline the support being provided by the 16 + team under section 17 provision.
- At this point the "Homeless Persons Officer will record the referral complete an assessment as to what action is necessary in this case. The Homeless Housing officer will advise the Duty Officer of the 16+ Team what support /advice has been offered along with details of any placement secured. This information will be recorded on the client's records at 16+ Team.
- At this point the Homeless Officer will support the young person in completing the Housing Benefit form with the client this will not involve the 16+ Duty Officer.
- The 16+ Duty Officer will continue to explore Hostel/Lamp/Private accommodation for the young person in the locality. Any placement provided by the Homeless Department must be seen as a temporary measure and the 16+ Duty Officer must ensure that appropriate move on accommodation is sourced within one month.
- Where there is a dispute or an inability to reach consensus on any referral, the resolution should be initially between the Line Manager of the 16+ Team and Homeless Persons' Team Manager and if this is unsuccessful the matter will be referred to the Housing Needs Manager and 16+ Team Manager's direct line Manager who will agree the action to be taken.
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