Kent Positive Pathway
Workshop
Jo Beck
Youth Homelessness Adviser
22nd February 2017
Overview of Today
1. Introductions
2. Setting the Scene: National and Local Overview
3.
A look at the Positive Pathway model and the Care Leavers
accommodation and support framework - and what is innovative
/interesting or working well elsewhere
4.
Time for group discussions around challenges and models for the
future – based on the Positive Pathway model
5.
Action planning
Young People Face Particular Challenges in gaining
access to ‘Affordable’ Housing
• Fewer Private Rented Sector (PRS) landlords remain in
the ‘housing benefit market’ , especially in South East
• Universal Credit (paid monthly in arrears direct to
claimant, with 7 ‘waiting days’) will not help
• Limited supply of social housing, and increasing
competition for 1 bed lets due to ‘bedroom tax’
• Young people are only entitled to Shared
Accommodation Rate (SAR)– shared housing is more
expensive to manage, especially as HMO regulation
improves standards
• From 2019 the SAR will be applied to social housing
tenancies that began since April 2016 - average
SAR/rent shortfall in South East estimated (NHF) £27
pw. Care leavers exempt from SAR until 22, may be
raised to 25
• Social and Private Sector Landlords are losing
confidence in letting to YP
Young People have less money to pay the rent….
• Lowest wages, 3 x more likely to be
unemployed, 41% of all zero hours contracts
• Lowest of the (frozen) benefit rates £57.90pw JSA- and are most at risk of
sanctions.
• 18 – 21s due to lose entitlement to ‘housing
costs’ element of UC from April 2017 – care
leavers and ‘vulnerable’ groups exempt but
detail unclear. Will only apply to new UC
claims in digital area
• Benefit cap lowered to £ 385pw for familieswill this increase parental exclusions?
Challenges For Service Providers
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Rising levels of homelessness and new duties on local
authorities to prevent homelessness – Homelessness
Reduction Bill
Funding for supported housing changing – From 2019/20
LHA to be applied (but not SAR) with ring-fenced ‘top up’
funding to local authorities. 1% rent reductions to be
applied from 2017 onwards
Competing demands for social care and housing related
support budgets – Care Act and aging population
Rising numbers of looked after children and care leavers,
and in children becoming LAC at 16-17
Complex and multiple needs rising as a proportion –
supported housing may not meet their needs
Year on year reductions in budgets, growing demands for
a service
Great Expectations: Government focus on improving
outcomes for care leavers
Keep on Caring’ - Government Care
Leaver Strategy, July 2016
• Corporate parenting - across authorities
and beyond - and more pro-active. It’s
not just Children’s Social Care!
• Improved outcomes on Education,
training and employment, health
(particularly mental health), staying stay,
and suitable accommodation regardless
of your local housing market
Children and Social Work Bill 2016
• Corporate parenting principles
• Must publish ‘Local Offer’ to care
leavers, including your housing offer
Percentage of children who started to be
looked after by age - First Statistical Release
2016 DfE:
In 2012 12% were 16/17s
In 2016 18% were 16/17s
Acceptances of the homelessness duty
to single young people in last 5 years
1800
1600
1400
1200
1000
16/17 yr olds
800
Care leavers
600
400
200
0
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
2014-15
To be or not to be looked
after
18+ not looked after YP
• Not automatically entitled to
‘housing costs’ in UC if
unemployed at 18-21
• Shared Accommodation
Rate(SAR) until 35
• UC ‘waiting days’ apply
• Not automatically in ‘priority
need’ if homeless
• LA limited housing and
support duties
18+ Care Leavers
 Exempt from removal of
housing costs for 18-21s
 Exempt from SAR till 22, may
be raised to 25
 Exempt from UC ‘waiting days’
 Priority need if homeless 1820, and at 21+ if vulnerable
 LA has duty to provide
housing, PA support, funding
for university, setting up home
monies … and more
 Likely to get some additional
priority in social housing
allocations schemes
The Homelessness Reduction Bill
 Duty to provide advisory services,
particularly to high risk groups including care
leavers, people leaving prison or youth
detention
 New duties to PREVENT and/or RELIEVE
homelessness for ‘eligible’ person - but
intentionality and Priority Need tests not
applied at this point
 Old legislation still there as the final/third
stage – i.e. if can’t relieve homelessness and
person is eligible, homeless, priority need
and not intentionally homeless
The Homelessness Reduction Bill
 ALL applicants must have an assessment of circumstances and
needs, agree what steps applicant and LA must take to
prevent homelessness or to secure accommodation – 56 days
for each
 Applicant has written record of agreement and must be
notified if the LA changes plan
 Applicant needs to take actions as well as LA – has to
reasonably co-operate. A key issue for care leavers.
 Failure to co-operate would mean a lesser duty would be
owed to Priority Need groups and no duty owed to non
Priority Need at the third stage
 Turning down a ‘suitable offer’ ( minimum of a 6 month AST )
would end the duty at the relief stage
The Homelessness Reduction Bill –
local connection and care leavers
Care Leavers have more choice on local
connection (LC) if homeless:
 will have LC with any housing authority
within the County in 2 tier areas
 will gain LC to an area where they have lived
for 2+ years, if that includes some time
before the YP reached 16
Note this applies ONLY to homelessness duties
NOT allocation of housing!
HRB: The future for YP
services?
16-17s/ Care Leavers:
Better prevention and relief work
to avoid YP becoming homeless a
‘child in need’,
Planned move into supported
housing (if meets YP’s needs)
when cannot remain safely within
family network
Improved early identification of
Care Leavers at risk of
homelessness
Notification and assessment
arrangements for YP leaving
custody
Reciprocal arrangements for care
leavers out of borough
Non-priority 18+
Family mediation, negotiation
and support to enable YP to
remain/return until able to move
on independently
Prevention work to help YP
maintain tenancy/license in PRS
or supported accommodation
Money/budgeting advice, use of
DHP and/or prevention budget to
minimise arrears
Access to shared housing and to
supported housing (for YP with
support needs) essential
The Kent Picture – YP Looked After
• 2015-16: 1495 children became
Looked After
• 715 (48%) were 16-17 years old (18%
nationally)
• 31st March 2016 – 2310 children
were Looked After, 995 of these
(43%) were 16-17 year olds
• 31st March 2016 - 865
Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking
Children looked after by Kent - 21%
of all UASC looked after in England
• Nationally 31% of UASC granted
asylum, 44% granted limited leave to
remain
The Kent picture- YP and homelessness
• 2015-16: 18 x 16-17 year olds and 30 x care
leavers accepted as statutorily homeless -4%
of accepted cases (2% across England)
• 30th June 2016 – 8 x 16-17s in B&B (under
Housing Act duties) of which 4 had been
there 6+ weeks. (42 across England, 1 in
London)
• Housing data from questionnaire (includes
some estimates) indicate homelessness
approaches across Kent are:
110-130 p.a. 16-17 year olds
80-90 pa Care Leavers
1500-2000 18-25 year olds
Summary of feedback from 9 Districts and
Boroughs
Housing data (includes some estimates) indicate
homelessness approaches across Kent are:
• 110-130 p.a. 16-17 year olds
• 80-90 pa Care Leavers
• 1500-2000 18-25 year olds
Most (6) LHAs say B&B is used, as there is
no provision for emergency supported
housing
3 LHAs that do have access to emergency
supported have no 16-17s in B&B,
although more than 50% of approaches
Use of B&B for young people
• The Homelessness (Suitability of Accommodation) (England)
Order 2003 – B&B is privately owned, shared facilities (toilet,
washing, cooking facilities)
• Families must not be placed in B&B except where no alternative
and for no longer than 6 weeks
• DfE/DCLG Joint Guidance 2010 “Bed and breakfast
accommodation is not considered suitable for 16 and 17 year
olds even on an emergency accommodation basis”.
• Ombudsman and use of B&B for 16/17s and families
• January 2015, the DfE guidance: B&Bs unsuitable for care
leavers, and should be used for no more than two working
days in an emergency (paragraph 7.12).
The Positive Pathway
 is up to date and relevant
 differentiates between different types of needs and
responses
 is outcome focused, prevention focused
 is based on what works well
 is underpinned by the principles of Public Service
Transformation Network
 is flexible for your local context
 has a ‘sister’ version we have done with Barnardos
specifically for care leavers
 is being used by the majority of local authorities
Stage 1: Information and advice for young people and
families (a universal offer)
Change the ‘word on the street’
Up to date, local information easily accessible to YP and
parents that sets out the realities of their housing
options, including availability and costs of
accommodation
Convey the message through various media
websites/social media, work in schools and youth
services, via services that work with YP
YP preparing to leave care, and their professionals/carers
understand the realities and offer good advice
AIM: YP and families understand the link between
housing choice and their financial position, and can plan
transitions when time is right without specialist support
Stage 2: Early Help(targeted)
• Reach YP most likely to be at risk of homelessness
• Involve local services working with these YP – Troubled
Families, Youth Support, YOS – and ensure Early Help
professionals are aware of risk of homelessness and
able to take action to prevent crisis
• Use commissioned family support programmes to
prevent youth homelessness – e.g. Family Group
Conferencing
Aim: YP stay in the family network where safe to do so,
and/or have support to move out in a planned way
Feedback from one
district…..
“We perceive that there is a lack of
knowledge and understanding about
affordable and appropriate
accommodation options for young
people in the local area and across the
county, from Social Services staff
working with this client group. Earlier
involvement with our services, as set
out in the YP protocol for those leaving
care, would mean we could provide
realistic advice and a preventative
stage”.
Stage 1: “Hi Homie” website
• Homeless Foundation’s
Worcestershire website
• Lots of information on
leaving home for young
people
• Advice for parents
• Based on local consultation
• See
http://www.hihomie.org
Stages 1 & 2: St Basils: Schools
Training and Mentoring Project
• Peer led work in schools and
colleges
• Young people with experience
of homelessness work with St
Basils worker
• Accreditation in mentoring and
peer education
• Delivery in classrooms and
offer of one to one support
• Advice/support to teachers
Stage 1: Use of theatre in schools
& colleges - ZEST
• Performed in several
areas in England
• 30 minute production &
then discussion ‘Jeremy
Kyle’ style
• Highly engaging excellent feedback
• Re-written annually
• Covers homelessness and
other related issues:
relationships, substance
misuse, pregnancy,
violence
Stages 1 & 2: Board Game: Going It
Alone, North Wales
• 4 pay days and 4 bill days
– make your way around
the board
• Various scenarios thrown
at players
• Developed with young
people
• Partnership - North Wales
Housing, Grŵp Cynefin,
Cartrefi Conwy and the
Bus Stop Project
Stage 2: Incentivised planned
moves: Hull’s Passport To Property
• Planned moves from home/family
• Requires attendance at multi-agency
run pre-tenancy training over half
terms and workbook completion
• Requires young people to attend
college or training or be in
employment
• Additional points and help with
bidding
• Support with family relationships
• Strong focus on realism of living alone
Discussion
Thinking about STAGEs 1 & 2 of the Positive Pathway
• Information and Advice to YP and families
• Early Help targeted at children most at risk of becoming homeless
•What information/advice is already available and used?
•Are professionals delivering Early Help aware of the reality of housing
options and supporting efforts to prevent homelessness
•What are some of the major gaps, pressures and challenges?
•Identify opportunities or changes that could make a difference- for
16-17s, for 18+ young people
Stage 3: Integrated response hub and gateway to
commissioned accommodation and support
• Children’s Services and Housing (and
other partners where possible) provide
integrated service hub or ‘virtual hub’
for YP at risk of homelessness
• Comprehensive joint assessment of
needs meet statutory duties, inform
options and gathers data to assist with
developing the pathway
• Homelessness prevented or delayed
wherever possible
• YP provided with suitable
accommodation and support where
needed
Stage 3 : Royal Borough of Greenwich Integrated
Youth Services@ The Point
• Children’s Services led integrated hub providing universal and targeted
support
• Service providers include Youth Support, Sexual Health Clinic, YOS and Care
Leavers Team, Housing related floating support, Substance Misuse
treatment service, Counselling, Family Nurse Partnership
• 1st Base Housing Options and Support Team, including dedicated social
worker. Initial prevention work led by housing staff, joint assessment if
YP cannot return home, S20 and Supported Housing choices explained
• YP come to get help with education, training, ,employment (ETE), because
they are at risk of homelessness, to see their YOS worker or PA, for health
services
• Holistic assessments identify ALL needs and services the YP should access
(with their consent)
• Team Around the Child (TAC) used to agree action plan with YP and family
Prevention Checklist
 Home visits within 48 hours to families where there is imminent/actual
homelessness
 Mediation/negotiation delivered by commissioned service, or by inhouse staff with training
 Engage parents/family members in action planning to avoid
homelessness -Team Around the Young Person/Child
 Prevention fund/S17 funding used to support YP to stay in the family
home or with extended family or friends
 Floating support/family support/youth workers to support keeping young
people at home/with extended family?
 Emergency short stay placements available whilst assessments/mediation
underway
 Mediation and other support ongoing even after a YP placed in
emergency accommodation to try to return them home or to a family
member/friend?
 Protocols and procedures to prepare for YP leaving custody, and to avoid
care leavers becoming homeless
Child In Need and Housing
Assessments
• Protocol (2010) requires initial joint assessments completed
within 2 days and CIN assessment within 10 days
• YP provided with emergency accommodation by service first
approached
• A 16-17 year old who is 16-17 will be a ‘Child In Need’, to be
accommodated under S20 unless s/he refuses to be
• The YP must be fully informed of the implications for now and
in the future including the possibility of being ‘intentionally
homeless’ and assessed as competent to make the decision.
Discussion
Thinking about STAGE 3 of the Positive Pathway
An integrated or joined-up response to prevent homelessness, assess
needs and manage the gateway to commissioned accommodation
• How joined-up is your service to YP at risk of homelessness?
• Are there sufficient resources/expertise attached to prevention of
homelessness?
• Are YP who cannot be prevented from becoming homeless fully
advised of the implications of becoming LAC and of housing
options?
• Identify possible opportunities or changes that could really start to
make a difference- for 16-17s, for 18+ young people
Key Principles of the Framework
All YP leaving care (in all types of placement) are:
Given as much information choice and control as
possible
Able to make mistakes and not ‘fall out’ of the
framework
Helped to succeed
Offered flexible support to meet needs
Offered supportive unconditional relationships
The shared responsibility of their corporate
parents
Positive Pathway Stage 4 Commissioned
Accommodation and Support
• A (jointly) commissioned accommodation
pathway with different types of
accommodation and levels of support, to meet
varying ages, needs and locations which
enable ‘through-put’
• The ideal is a menu of options:
• Supported housing hub and spoke – step up
and down
• Supported Lodgings – especially important in
large geographical areas
• Provision for complex needs - ‘Housing First’,
‘Fair Chance’ models – intensive floating
support
• Foyers – focus on ETE
Stage 4: Commissioned Accommodation
and Support
• Services should be transformational, not
just housing
• New(ish) approaches e.g ‘psychological
informed environments’
• YP gain knowledge and skills to manage
independently
• ALL options need an ETE focus – YP moving
on are in employment or well on the way
• AND sharing needs to be a key feature –
learning how to share is a necessary life
skill for most young people
Stage 4: Nottinghamshire County Council
and Districts Supported Accommodation
Pathway
• Developed in response to strained county/district relationships, reductions
in funding, providers not delivering to meet needs
• Shared data, information and knowledge– comprehensive needs
assessment
• Pooled budgets – Housing Related Support, Placements budget, Health
• Designed pathway to meet greatest needs – 16-21 year olds
• Built political support and strong alliance of local authority tiers and
providers, who now meet regularly
• Robust services with a pathway to independence
• Agreement about which young people are a priority and how they will be
managed
• Weekly meeting with providers to manage provision, waiting lists and to
problem solve
• Reduced costs and improved quality of service to young people
Discussion
Thinking about STAGE 4 of the Positive Pathway
• What would your ‘ideal’ supported housing pathway look like?
• How will you ensure no YP are placed in B&B ?
• How should Kent CC and Districts work together to identify an
improved pathway and access arrangement?
• Are YP well prepared to move on from supported
housing/care?
• Identify gaps and possible opportunities or changes that could
really start to make a difference- for 16-17s, for 18+ young
people
Service Area 5: A Range Of Housing Options
A range of safe, decent affordable housing options are
available, shared and self-contained, in the private
social and third sectors
• Shared housing options across tenures
• PRS access scheme offer landlord incentives (bonds,
rent in advance, rent direct, 24 hour helpline,
floating support, pre-tenancy training, landlord
advice eg HMO registration)
• Affordable housing schemes for young working
people
• Bond guarantee for single people who find their
own accommodation – an offer for ALL
• Allocation scheme supports prevention of
homelessness and crisis
Stage 5 : Move-On Options
Affordable housing for YP with lower support needs
E.G. St Basils Live and Work Scheme - low cost housing for YP with
NHS apprenticeship
http://www.stbasils.org.uk/how-we-help/our-services/live-and-work
Crisis funded PRS Access schemes
http://www.crisis.org.uk/pages/sharing-solutions-schemes.html
Livshare – a proposal for new build affordable shared housing
Information available if you might be interested
St Vincent’s Housing Association’s Snug Bug Houseshare in
Manchester: 45 units in shared general needs properties for young
people: http://www.snugbughouseshare.co.uk
Barnet ‘Get Real’ Scheme Council properties let to young people in
EET as sharers http://thebarnetgroup.org/bh/2016/04/05/get-realproject-wins-155k/
Stage 5: Commonweal Peer
Landlord London Scheme
•
•
•
•
Commonweal provide properties, Catch-22 and Thames
Reach deliver the service
‘Supportive’ rather than supported housing
Low rents, affordable for people in work
Peer Landlord is a service user or ex-service user who helps
make house run smoothly – basic training in housing
management, maintenance and financial awareness
Thames Reach had noted some of their clients who had moved
into self contained housing
“were lonely, worried about managing visitors, couldn’t
afford to heat the flat and had limited aspirations for their
future”.
They see the model as an opportunity to
“recast shared housing as a positive experience for tenants”
https://www.commonwealhousing.org.uk/
Stage 5: RB Greenwich/Thames
Reach Shared Housing Scheme
• 2 Thames Reach staff are ‘embedded’
within RBG Procurement Team
• Identify landlords with large
properties willing to let to sharers –
some landlords on the scheme have
bought additional properties
• Advise and support landlords
• Identify and prepare tenants
• Provide ongoing support to landlord
and tenants, trouble shooting and
resolving problems
Discussion
Thinking about STAGE 5 of the Positive Pathway:
A range of safe, affordable housing options, shared and selfcontained in the private social and third sectors
• How will Kent respond to the considerable challenges you have to
provide sufficient move on, in a planned way?
• What options do you have/could you develop?
• What is/will be your offer for non-priority customers?
• What resources can you put into making move on work
• Identify gaps and possible opportunities or changes that could
really start to make a difference- for 16-17s, for 18+ young people