Knowsley Young Person’s Accommodation Strategy 2008 - 2012
1
Table of Contents
1. Foreword …………………………………………………………………..
.
2. Executive Summary ……………………………………………………..
5
3. Introduction and Background ……………………………………………
7
3
4. Mission Statement ………………………………………………………… 10
5. The Strategic Framework ……………………………………………….. 11
6. Developing the Strategy……………………………………………….….. 18
7. Key Objectives…………………………………………………………….. .21
8. Performance Monitoring……………………………………………… …. .27
9. Best Value……………………………………………………………… … 28
10. Equality and Diversity…………………………………………………… .29
11. Relevant Legislation and Guidance …………………………………….. 30
12. Action Plan…………………………………………………………………. .32
List of Tables
Table 5.1: Population Age Band Forecast, Knowsley Borough 2004-2029 14
Table 5.2: Persons from Concealed Households …………………………… 14
Table 5.3: Highest Educational Attainment of Head of Household …………16
Table 5.4: Working Age Benefits, Knowsley Borough ………………………. 16
Table 5.5: Job Seekers’ Allowance Claimants, Knowsley Borough ……….. 17
Table 7.1: Young Person’s Supported Accommodation in Knowsley ……
23
List of Charts
Chart 5.1: Reasons for Homelessness in Knowsley ………………………
2
15
1. Foreword
It is nationally recognised that young people can be amongst the most vulnerable
members of society when in a homeless situation. In recognition of this fact, the
Homelessness Act 2002 extended the list of vulnerable homeless applicants to
include, amongst others, 16-17 year olds and young people leaving care.
Knowsley’s Homelessness Strategy 2006-2010 was formally adopted in February
2007, taking on board the recommendations made by the Audit Commission in
2005 and the Prevention Agenda. An Action Plan is included in the strategy which
identifies a number of objectives, one of which is to deliver a Young Person’s
Accommodation Strategy.
Approximately two thirds of young people have left their parent’s home by the age
of 25 and are able to successfully live independently. However, leaving home at an
earlier age, unplanned and often after a family dispute, can lead to inadequate living
conditions, homelessness and associated social and economic problems. Many of
these young people are ill equipped for independent living and lack the life skills to
sustain a tenancy and support themselves.
Knowsley acknowledges the importance of early intervention to prevent youth
homelessness, wherever possible, but also recognises that suitable
accommodation, support and advice must be in place when homelessness cannot
be avoided. This strategy identifies five key objectives designed to provide an
effective, good quality homelessness and housing advice service for young people.
Knowsley is the North West Regional Centre of Excellence for Youth Homelessness
and hosted an extremely successful conference in March 2008 (photographs shown
in this strategy). The conference focussed on the key objectives in the attached
action plan and brought together a wide ranging audience which included North
West local authorities, RSLs, Knowsley Councillors, and partner agencies who
provide services to young people. It also involved young people who facilitated
workshops, helped to meet and greet delegates or presented artwork and music.
Young people are our future. It is imperative that we provide the advice and
support they may need to progress into adulthood, and be in a position to
successfully make the transition from dependence to independent living.
Councillor Ron Round
Leader, Knowsley MBC
Sheena Ramsey
Chief Executive, Knowsley MBC
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2.
Executive Summary
Following recommendations from an inspection by the Audit Commission in January
2005 Knowsley MBC produced an updated Homelessness Strategy and Action Plan
in February 2007.
One of the objectives identified in the Action Plan was to develop appropriate
accommodation, advice and support for young people and a target was set to
deliver a Young Person’s Accommodation Strategy.
This strategy fulfils that target. It aims to ensure that the housing and wider support
needs of young people who are homeless, or threatened with homelessness, are
adequately met.
There is a legislative framework which places statutory duties upon housing and
social services authorities to ensure that young people in housing need receive
appropriate advice and support.
Knowsley Housing Trust has a contract to deliver a homelessness service on behalf
of Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council. The Council is currently revising its
Joint Protocol between Health & Social Care, Housing Strategy, the Youth
Offending Service and Knowsley Housing Trust to ensure adequate provision of
support, advice and housing for young people in the borough who are homeless, or
threatened with homelessness. Nevertheless it is acknowledged that there are
gaps in service provision to this vulnerable group. It is also recognised that it is
preferable to prevent youth homelessness rather than to have to tackle it. This
strategy and the accompanying action plan outline how Knowsley will fulfil its
obligations to meet the housing needs of young people.
The strategy has five key objectives, as follows:
Objective 1 – Early Intervention to Prevent Homelessness




mediation
placements
accommodation allowance scheme
consultation.
Objective 2 – Provision of Adequate Support for Vulnerable Young People




supported accommodation
floating support
furnished tenancies
pre and post tenancy support.
Objective 3 - Development of a Wider Choice of Housing Options

rent deposit schemes
4




discretionary housing payments
tenancies for minors
move-on accommodation for care leavers
bringing empty homes back into use.
Objective 4 – Provision of Fair and Equitable Access to Homelessness
Services and Housing Advice




KHT free phone
housing needs survey
customer satisfaction survey
benchmarking.
Objective 5 – Improved Joint Working with Partner Agencies





joint protocol
better multi-agency working
joint staff training programme
clear guidelines
incorporate future housing needs and aspirations into planning of service
provision.
5
3.
Introduction and Background
Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council (KMBC) lies to the east of Liverpool and
covers four main areas. These consist of Kirkby in the north, Huyton in the west,
Prescot and Whiston in the east and Halewood in the south.
Much of the housing throughout the borough was originally built to help deal with
the overspill of demand for social housing in Liverpool during the 1950s and 1960s.
According to the multiple index of deprivation 2004 Knowsley is the third most
deprived Borough in England and Wales, with high levels of unemployment and
people on low incomes.
Census data from 2001 indicates that the number of households in Knowsley rose
from 55,700 to 60,500 between 1991 and 2001. This represents a 9% increase and
is in line with the national trend towards smaller, but more numerous, households
which often mask hidden homelessness or young people who are “homeless at
home”.
In 2007 Knowsley MBC carried out a Housing Needs Study. The demographic
changes highlighted in the findings make comparisons with the 2001 Census data
and show consistent trends with regard to family composition, population age
groups and projected population decrease.
The key findings of survey samples in the Housing Needs Study 2007 are:
 a projected overall population decrease of 2.4% between 2004 and
2029 but an increase in the 45-64 and 65+ age groups (consistent
with changes recorded since the 2001 Census);
 single adult households represent 25% of the population, and
couples 55.1% compared to 29% and 53.7% respectively in the 2001
Census data;
 household members aged 25-44 represent 28.1%, whilst 60-74 year
olds represent 14.6% (the same proportions identified in the 2001
Census);
 the number of households is forecast to increase by 13.1% between 2004
and 2029;
 over occupation in Knowsley is 5.7% across tenure and is higher in the
housing association rented and owner occupation with mortgage tenures.
This is higher than the national average of 3% as indicated by the Study of
English Housing 2001/02.
Following recommendations from an inspection by the Audit Commission in January
2005 a review was undertaken of the Council’s homelessness and housing advice
service, and a revised Homelessness Strategy was published in February 2007.
6
This strategy includes an action plan which identifies a number of targets, one of
which is the delivery of a Young Person’s Accommodation Strategy.
Knowsley MBC has been identified by the Department for Communities and Local
Government (CLG) as a Centre for Excellence for the North West for Youth
Homelessness, and is committed to continually improving the homelessness and
housing advice service it provides for young people.
In May 2004 a Joint Protocol was developed between Knowsley Social Services,
Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT) and Knowsley’s Housing Strategy Division. The
protocol covers the provision of emergency advice and support to young single
people presenting themselves as homeless in Knowsley, and aims to ensure that
joint interviews are carried out to accurately assess the individual’s needs. The joint
protocol is currently being revised and it is envisaged that the finalised document
will be published by Spring 2008.
Knowsley MBC does, however, acknowledge that there are gaps in the provision of
services for homeless and potentially homeless young people and has produced
this strategy in order to address the issue. The strategy has been developed in
consultation with the Young Person’s Accommodation Forum, the Merseyside
Homelessness Forum, a focus group of young people facilitated by the Young
Advisors, Children’s Services Directorate and other relevant partner agencies. An
action plan is included with the strategy which identifies and prioritises a number of
targets aimed at improving service provision in homelessness and housing advice
for young people.
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4. Knowsley Young Person’s Housing Needs Mission Statement
“To work in partnership to prevent youth homelessness and to deliver
accessible, consistent, integrated homelessness and housing advice
services to young people throughout Knowsley”.
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5.
The Strategic Framework
Statistics
According to Communities and Local Government (CLG), statistical data in the P1E
Returns indicates that in 2006/2007 6,061 young people were accepted as
homeless, representing 8.5% of all homeless households nationally.
It is acknowledged that care leavers are over represented amongst young homeless
people, and national statistics for 2006/7 show that 11% of homeless acceptances
from young people were for care leavers aged 18-20 years. This suggests that
additional support is needed for many young care leavers to prevent them from
becoming homeless, reduce repeated incidents of homelessness and help towards
achieving the Government’s objective of sustainable communities.
Local authorities in England are only required to record homeless young people in
‘priority need’ i.e. 16-17 year olds and care leavers aged 18-20 who are judged not
to be intentionally homeless.
Youth homelessness provision has, however, been identified by the North West
Regional Supporting People Forum as an area to monitor. At a
meeting in
October 2007 Knowsley MBC therefore requested that the Merseyside
Homelessness Forum collate and benchmark homelessness statistics for all young
people, not just for those deemed to be in ‘priority need’.
The National Context
Central Government places a high priority on preventing and tackling homelessness
and there are a number of policies, legislative Acts and guidance notes to
demonstrate this commitment.
Section 11 of this strategy lists many of the publications whilst some of the
documents most relevant to youth homelessness are also looked at in more detail
in this section.
The Homelessness Act 2002 extended the list of vulnerable homeless applicants to
include 16-17 year olds (where Social Services do not have a duty of care), 18-21
year olds leaving care, those fleeing violence and ex-offenders. These people are
considered to be in ‘priority need’ and local authorities have a statutory duty under
the Act to arrange accommodation for them, provided the applicant is not
considered to be ‘intentionally homeless’.
The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) published “Every Child Matters” in
December 2004. This paper has five key elements:



be healthy
stay safe
enjoy and achieve
9


make a positive contribution
achieve economic well-being.
The paper aims to ensure that the needs of children and young people are met and
they are given the support they need to attain a healthy and positive lifestyle.
In July 2005 the DfES published “Youth Matters” which builds on the aims of “Every
Child Matters”. This paper sets out a comprehensive package which aims to
improve the services available to young people, making them more efficient,
effective and integrated.
The Government’s strategy “Sustainable Communities: Settled Homes; Changing
Lives”, published in March 2005, outlines its commitment to reducing homelessness
and halving the number of households in temporary accommodation by 2010. It
recognises that young people can become homeless for a wide range of often
complex reasons.
In July 2006 Communities and Local Government (CLG) produced a Homelessness
Code of Guidance regarding the statutory functions local authorities have in respect
of people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.
In November 2006 Ruth Kelly, Secretary of State for Communities and Local
Government (CLG), announced the following commitments, which are designed to
help prevent and tackle youth homelessness:

an end to the use of bed and breakfast accommodation for homeless
16-17 year olds by 2010;
 improved access to homelessness mediation;
 establishment
of
supported
lodgings
schemes
providing
accommodation, advice and mediation for young people unable to
remain in the family home.
CLG acknowledges the importance of involving the voluntary and community sector
in preventing and tackling youth homelessness. With this in mind it has
commissioned YMCA England and Centrepoint to lead the National Youth
Homelessness Scheme (NYHS) which is a major project running throughout
2007/2008.
The scheme focuses on four key areas, as outlined below:




early intervention and prevention
addressing accommodation needs
addressing wider non-accommodation needs
dissemination and communication.
The aim of the project is to ensure that the housing and wider support needs of
young people who are homeless, or threatened with homelessness, are adequately
met. Strategic and operational responses will be developed to help prevent and
resolve youth homelessness, and examples of good practice will be identified to
assist local authorities and their partners to achieve this aim.
10
CLG has appointed a specialist adviser on youth homelessness to work with local
authorities to achieve the objective of phasing out the use of bed and breakfast
accommodation for 16-17 year olds by 2010.
Since 2002 CLG have produced a series of policy briefings covering a range of
homelessness topics. Policy Briefing 18, published in March 2007, deals with
“Tackling Youth Homelessness”. The briefing provides guidance to local authorities
and their partners on the Government’s key policies and priorities aimed at
preventing and tackling youth homelessness.
Local Issues
Despite Knowsley’s achievements during the 1990’s with regard to economic
regeneration, inward investment and house-building, the 2001 Census highlighted a
number of problems consistent with the high levels of deprivation in the borough.
These included:






proportion of lone parent households with dependant children was 12%
(twice the national average);
employment was only 80% of the national average;
33% of children lived in households where all the adults were unemployed
(twice the national average);
25% of all residents indicated that they had a limiting long term illness,
compared to 18% nationally;
degree or higher level qualifications were 10% (half the national average);
significantly lower levels of house and car ownership.
According to data in the P1E Returns to Central Government for 2006/2007, 324 16
to 24 year olds were accepted as homeless and in priority need, representing
38.27% of the total homelessness acceptances. The number of acceptances for
this group reduced in 2007/2008 to 243, but this represented 43.62% of total
acceptances, giving a year on year % increase of 5.35%.
In 2007 the official deprivation index (IMD-07) ranked Knowsley as the fifth most
deprived of the 354 English districts in overall terms. The borough was ranked
eighth in terms of the extent to which deprivation is widespread and second in terms
of its concentration of hotspots.
Housing Needs
In 2007 Knowsley MBC carried out a Housing Needs Study in the borough which
involved 2,400 face-to-face interviews with households across 21 Wards and 6 SubAreas, and included six neighbourhood focus groups.
The survey findings include a population projection for the period 2004 to 2029 and
show an overall decrease in the population of Knowsley of 3,600, or 2.4%, as
shown in Table 5.1. There is evidence to suggest that part of this decrease in
population is due to an outward migration of younger, economically active
households.
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Table 5.1: Population Age Band Forecast, Knowsley Borough 2004-2029
0-15
16-24
25-44
45-64
65+
Total
2004
2006
2009
2014
2019
2024
2029
Change
32,300
18,600
41,600
34,400
22,900
149,800
31,200
19,200
40,000
35,800
23,000
149,100
29,600
19,400
38,100
38,100
23,000
148,200
28,500
17,400
36,700
40,500
24,200
147,200
28,600
15,300
36,600
40,800
25,600
146,800
28,200
14,800
37,300
38,200
28,000
146,500
27,700
15,000
36,200
36,200
31,200
146,200
-4,600
-3,600
-5,400
1,800
8,300
-3,600
-0.5
-0.6
-0.7
-0.3
-0.2
-0.2
-2.4
%Change
Crown Copyright
Figures are rounded to the nearest 100 so totals may not agree with the sum of their rounded counterparts.
For the same period, the number of households is set to increase by 8,000, or
13.1%, partly due to young people forming single person households. The survey
findings reveal that the majority of the total number of concealed households
(92.5%) consists of people described as children of the household. Table 5.2
indicates that the main reason for the predicted rise in future households is due to
young people leaving home to form independent households.
Table 5.2: Persons from Concealed Households Looking to Form
Independent Households
Persons forming
household
Parent/Grandparent
Child (16+)
Partner/Spouse
Lodger
Friend
Other Relative
Total
%
Numbers
implied
0
92.5
2.8
2.8
0
1.9
100
0
1,778
54
54
0
36
1,922
Source: Housing Needs Study 2007
Chart 5.1 compares the reasons for homelessness in 2005/2006 with an averaged
figure for the years 1996 to 2005. It shows that the main reason for homelessness
in Knowsley is due to parents being no longer able or willing to accommodate their
children.
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Chart 5.1: Reasons for Homelessness in Knowsley
Other reason
Termination of assured shorthold tenancy
Violent breakdown of relationship with partner
Non-violent breakdown of relationship with partner
Other relatives or friends no longer willing to
accommodate
Parents no longer willing to accommodate
2005/2006
1996/2005
O
Details of available accommodation type reveal that 6.4% consists of
flats/maisonettes, whereas an analysis of concealed households found that 50.3%
who expressed an interest in the public rented sector wanted flats or maisonettes.
Further analysis revealed that concealed households’ access to the owner/occupier
market is extremely limited, with only 3.2% of households having an annual income
above £27,000. Access to the private rented sector is also restricted by cost. The
average rent per calendar month in the borough is £368, whilst 86.9% of concealed
households are unable to afford more than £300 per calendar month in rent.
The Housing Needs Study 2007 suggests that the strategic implications of the
current housing market in Knowsley are creating increased pressure to provide
more affordable, social housing in the form of flats, maisonettes and terraced
houses for newly forming households.
Educational Achievements
Knowsley has improved its 5 A*-C grades achievements over the past nine years
from 22.9% in 1997/98 to 48.8% in 2005/06. However this is still below the average
of 57.5% for England in 2005/06. Table 5.3 represents data collated as part of the
Housing Needs Study 2007 and indicates that 47.4% of heads of households have
no qualifications.
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Table 5.3: Highest Educational Attainment of Head of Household
Status
1+O level / CSE's / GCSE's (Any Grade)
5+ O level / CSE's / GCSE's (Grades A-C)
1+ A levels / AS Levels
2+ A Levels / 4+ AS Levels/Higher School Certificate
First Degree
Higher Degree
NVQ Level 1 / Foundation GNVQ
NVQ Level 2 / Intermediate GNVQ
NVQ Level 3 / Advanced GNVQ
NVQ Level 4-5 / HNC / HND
Other Qualifications
No Qualifications
Total
%
Nos. Implied
12
15.4
1.7
2.6
4.5
1.6
2.7
4.6
2.4
1.3
3.8
47.4
7,268
9,360
1,063
1,610
2,760
967
1,667
2,789
1,465
811
2,307
28,905
100
60,972
Source: Housing Needs Study 2007
Worklessness
The number of young people aged16-24 that receive a working age benefit has
increased by 3.2% over the last 4 years to 13.9%, this equates to 3,530 claimants.
The percentage of young people who are ‘Not in Education, Employment or
Training’ (NEET) has increased to 12.65% and the government has a target to
reduce this to 10% by 2010.
Table 5.4: Working Age Benefits, Knowsley
Knowsley benefit claimants - working age client group
Date
February 2004
February 2005
February 2006
February 2007
Total
27,160
25,990
25,900
25,450
Aged under 25
3,420
3,260
3,570
3,530
16-24 Yr Olds
12.6%
12.5%
13.8%
13.9%
Source NOMIS
In terms of unemployment benefit, 875 16-24 year olds claim Job Seeker Allowance
(JSA). This has reduced by 10.1% over the last year with Knowsley having a JSA
rate of 32.3% according to data collated in June 2007
(as shown in Table 5.5 overleaf).
Table 5.5 shows the number of Knowsley’s JSA claimants under the age of 25
compared to regional and national figures.
14
Table 5.5: Job Seekers Allowance Claimants, Knowsley
Under 25 JSA Claimants
Female
Annual
Annual
Rate Change Count Rate Change
31.5
-18.8
220
40.4
-18.5
30.1
-10.3
365
39.2
-20.7
28.4
-17.3
1,595
42.2
-12.8
28.2
-5.3
455
37.3
12.3
31.6
-2.0
350
44.4
2.9
29.9
-15.5
630
41.2
-11.9
29.1
-13.3
3,395
41.2
-9.3
29.3
-13.7
3,615
41.1
-10.0
30.3
-11.4 11,305
41.7
-6.0
28.0
-12.3 83,820
37.1
-6.4
28.0
-12.3 86,165
37.2
-6.6
Male
July 2007 Factsheet
(June 2007 Data)
Halton
Knowsley
Liverpool
Sefton
St. Helens
Wirral
Merseyside
Greater Manchester
North West
Great Britain
United Kingdom
Count
520
875
3,155
980
735
1,390
7,130
7,650
24,455
169,560
174,930
Total
Annual
Count Rate Change
740
33.7
-18.7
1,240
32.3
-13.3
4,750
31.9
-15.8
1,435
30.5
-0.3
1,085
34.8
-0.5
2,020
32.7
-14.4
10,525
32.2
-12.0
11,265
32.3
-12.5
35,760
33.2
-9.8
253,380
30.5
10.4
261,095
30.5
-10.5
Source: MIS/NOMIS
Young Parents
Knowsley has a higher rate of teenage parents than the national average. From
2002 to 2004 the average teenage pregnancy rate for 15 to 17 year olds was 45.7
conceptions per 1,000 in Knowsley, compared to 42.1 in England overall.
The majority of young parents need additional support and advice to gain the life
skills needed to cope with family responsibilities and sustain an independent
tenancy. Knowsley MBC is committed to providing this support and improving
accessibility to appropriate temporary accommodation for young parents in the
interim period.
Knowsley MBC works with Arena Housing Association to provide supported
accommodation for young parents in the form of Roughdale Court, which consists
of eight self contained flats. Residential staff are available to give advice and
support to the residents and help prepare them for independent living when they are
ready to move on.
15
6. Developing the Strategy
The 2005 Audit Commission inspection identified gaps in service provision for young
single people. This issue was highlighted in Knowsley’s Homelessness Strategy
2006-2010, resulting in the inclusion of an objective in the action plan to deliver a
Young Person’s Accommodation Strategy.
A number of agencies have been consulted in the development of this strategy, as
outlined below.
Young Person’s Accommodation Forum
Partner agencies and service providers were invited to attend the forum which was
held on 18th September 2007. A draft of this strategy was presented to the Forum
and the comments received have been incorporated into the final strategy.
Merseyside Homelessness Forum
Local authorities in the region were invited to this forum, held on 29th October 2007
to share good practice, benchmark performance and identify gaps in service
provision and areas of concern. It was agreed that it would be useful to benchmark
youth homelessness in the same way as homelessness and statistics are now
collated to enable this. Comments received on the strategy have been incorporated
into the final document.
Young Advisors
Knowsley recognises the importance of involving young people in consultation,
particularly with regard to a strategy which directly affects them. For this reason a
group of young advisors were commissioned to facilitate a focus group of young
people. They were asked to give their views on the homelessness and housing
advice services available in Knowsley, identify gaps in services and suggest ideas
for improvement. Feedback from the focus group was noted and has helped to
produce this strategy.
Education and Information Sharing
Knowsley MBC has been selected as a Centre of Excellence for Youth
Homelessness by CLG and recognises the need for a separate accommodation
strategy, specifically to deal with the housing needs of young people. It is also
important to raise awareness of the problems connected with youth homelessness
as part of the prevention programme.
As a Centre of Excellence, Knowsley will be delivering a programme of activities
during 2007/2008 involving local authorities and service providers in the region to
share good practice, identify young people’s housing needs and consider how
improvements to service provision can be made.
The Knowsley Young Person’s Conference is one of the main activities in 2008. It
was held on 27th March 2008 and included speakers and presentations by young
people which focused on their conception of youth homelessness. During the
16
week prior to the conference the profile of youth homelessness was raised through
the media.
Knowsley’s Youth & Play Team worked with young people outside of school to
develop a presentation around homelessness through the medium of visual arts.
The presentation was shown at the Young Person’s Conference. The team are
also helping to develop a homelessness curriculum pack to deliver to young people
in youth clubs to raise awareness of the issues surrounding youth homelessness.
Knowsley’s Housing Strategy Team is working with the Childrens’ Services
Directorate, local schools and colleges to agree the delivery of a programme of
presentations to educate young people in school about the risks of homelessness
and the benefits of preventing it. The programme will be delivered to children of
school age in order to reach Knowsley’s younger generation before they become
disengaged. Information regarding the alternatives to leaving home will be
highlighted, and the services and advice provided by Knowsley’s Homelessness
Prevention Team publicised.
Housing Strategy is working with the Children’s Services Directorate, including
Youth Services and the Youth Offending Service, and Health & Social Care,
including Supporting People, to improve the range and quality of services offered to
young people.
Knowsley’s Children & Young People’s Strategic Plan 2007-2010 has contributed to
the development of the attached Action Plan in this strategy, which supports and
encourages joint working across departments and agencies and incorporates
common goals.
17
7.
Key Objectives
The overall aim of this strategy is to identify key priorities and put into place an
action plan to prevent and tackle youth homelessness throughout the borough.
Knowsley MBC will continue to work in partnership with stakeholders to improve its
provision of accessible housing and related advice and support services for
homeless young people, or those threatened with homelessness.
The strategy identifies five key objectives to help achieve this aim. Each objective
outlines our progress to date and highlights the future action needed to achieve the
desired outcomes. The further action highlighted forms the basis of the targets in
the attached action plan which gives timescales for completion of each target.
In identifying its key objectives Knowsley MBC has taken into account the Key Lines
of Enquiry (KLOES) used by the Audit Commission to measure the effectiveness
and efficiency of housing services. The following KLOES are particularly relevant to
this strategy:




KLOE 8 - homelessness and housing advice
KLOE 30 - access and customer care
KLOE 31 - diversity
KLOE 32 - value for money.
Our five key objectives are:





early intervention to prevent homelessness
provision of adequate support for vulnerable young people
development of a wider choice of housing options
provision of fair and equitable access to homelessness services and
housing advice
improved joint working with partner agencies.
Objective 1:
Early Intervention to Prevent Homelessness
Progress to Date:


Mediation services are provided by the Merseyside Accommodation Project
(MAP) to try to resolve conflicts between young people and their parents or
carers. The service caters for young people aged 16 to 25 and offers
independent and confidential advice. A home visit is made to try to reach a
compromise and avoid the young person from becoming homeless. The
service also offers both pre-tenancy and post-tenancy support, including
help with life skills, budgeting and access to employment and training.
MAP can also help young people aged 16 to 17 by offering lodgings in
supported family-style accommodation with a householder, who may not be
related. The placements are for a maximum of 2 years during which time
the householder provides life skills training. When the young person is
ready to move onto independent living, a support worker is allocated to
18
provide advice and support in applying for and sustaining an independent
tenancy.

Domestic violence can sometimes lead to a young person leaving the
family home and becoming homeless.
Knowsley MBC works with
Knowsley Domestic Violence Support Services (KDVSS) to provide advice,
support and family refuge accommodation to try to prevent this from
happening.

National Children’s Homes operates a Family Intervention Project (FIP) in
Knowsley which supports families with anti-social behavioural problems or
at risk of eviction.
Further Action Needed:

Complement the MAP Placements by providing an accommodation
allowance for relatives or friends to provide emergency or temporary
accommodation for young people waiting for housing benefit to be secured.

Extend the MAP Placements to allow longer lengths of stay and
enable young people over 18 to access this service.

Continue to work in partnership with the Children’s Services Directorate,
local schools and colleges to inform and educate young people about the
risks of homelessness, with a view to reducing incidents of youth
homelessness.

Improve the quality and accessibility of information and advice for young
people to help prevent homelessness, and promote agencies which can
provide support and assistance.

Improve consultation mechanisms to involve young people and identify
their housing needs and expectations.

Ensure that the necessary ‘move-on’ networks are in place for young
people leaving care, ex-offenders and the vulnerable.

Improve multi-agency working with voluntary and community organisations
to help identify ‘at risk’ young people.
Objective 2:
Provision of Adequate Support for Vulnerable Young People
Progress to Date:

Octavia Court, which is managed by St. Helens Accommodation Project
(SHAP) has recently been refurbished and is due to be completed in Spring
2008. The accommodation consists of 22 units, five of which will be
available to provide high level support for particularly vulnerable young
people, including ex-offenders, referrals from Social Services and those
who are difficult to place.
19

Housing Strategy and the Homelessness Prevention Team, which is part of
Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT), work in conjunction with the Supporting
People Team to provide young person’s supported accommodation,
including floating support, outlined in Table 7.1 below:
Table 7.1: Young Person’s Supported Accommodation
Provider
SHAP –
Barn Hey
SHAP –
Farrier
SHAP –
Octavia Court
SHAP Westhead
Avenue
SHAP Westhead
Close
SHAP Whiston
SHAP
Location
Current
Occupancy
Kirkby
16
Kirkby
6
Huyton
22
Client Group
Single Homeless with Support
Needs
Single Homeless with Support
Needs
Single Homeless with Support
Needs
Kirkby
11
Single Homeless with Support
Needs
Kirkby
6
Whiston
56
Various
8
Single Homeless with Support
Needs
Single Homeless with Support
Needs
Young People at Risk
Capacity
Spare
Capacity
16
0
6
0
22
0
11
0
6
0
56
0
8
0
 Knowsley MBC has a Furnished Tenancies Project which offers furniture
packages. This helps tenants who may otherwise be unable to furnish their
homes, providing the support needed to help sustain their tenancies. The
project is not specifically for young people but some may benefit from the
scheme.
 Knowsley MBC’s Housing Strategy Team works with Supporting People to
manage a High Priority Resettlement Panel which acts as a focal point for
determining cases in priority need of housing. Young homeless, or
potentially homeless, people can be signposted through this route to ensure
adequate provision of support and tailored accommodation to suit their
needs.
Further Action Needed:
 Introduce a Guardian Scheme with a small number of tenancies for young
people in the same area as a ‘guardian’ to provide support.
 Monitor the levels and reasons for repeated youth homelessness to help
highlight gaps in provision of support so that measures can be identified and
put in place to help remedy this.
 Invite feedback from young people who have received support and use this
information to assess the service and recommend changes where
necessary.
20
Objective 3:
Development of a Wider Choice of Housing Options
Progress to Date:
 Knowsley MBC operates a Rent Deposit Scheme which aims to make private
rented accommodation, at affordable rents, more readily available. This
scheme is particularly beneficial to young people, who are unlikely to have
sufficient funds for a bond.
 Roughdale Court consists of eight flats providing supported accommodation
for young parents. The accommodation is owned by Arena Housing
Association and managed by Knowsley MBC and has recently undergone a
complete refurbishment.
 Knowsley MBC operates a Discretionary Housing Payment, managed by
Housing Strategy and Housing Benefits. This allows households in private
rented accommodation to have a rent top-up.
 Knowsley MBC operates a Prevention Fund which is used to prevent
homelessness or eviction and help deliver the prevention agenda (BV213).
The fund may be used to pay for small repairs, furniture removal and storage
costs, or to pay off mortgage or private sector arrears. In this way a wider
choice of housing options are accessible to help prevent homelessness.
Further Action Needed:
 Continue to work towards eliminating the use of bed and breakfast
accommodation for 16 to 17 year olds.
 Bring empty properties back into use (under powers given to local authorities
in the Housing Act 2004).
 Work with Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) to pilot Tenancies for Minors,
using properties in the New Deal for Communities (NDC) area which have
been vacated but will not be demolished for at least 2 years.
 Work with Health and Social Care, Children’s Services Directorate and the
Youth Offending Service (YOS) to ensure adequate accommodation for care
leavers and ex offenders.
21
Objective 4:
Provision of Fair and Equitable Access to Homelessness Services and
Housing Advice
Progress to Date:
 Knowsley Homelessness Prevention Service, carried out by KHT on behalf
of Knowsley MBC, has a freephone number available at all times to offer
advice, support and assistance for homeless people, or those threatened
with homelessness.
 A Housing Needs Study was carried out during May and June 2007 to
identify the housing needs and aspirations of the changing population of
Knowsley. The data collated in this survey will be used to inform future
housing strategies resulting in equitable access to homelessness services
and housing advice.
 Following recommendations by the Audit Commission in 2004 a review was
undertaken on the impact of more flexible lettings for homeless households.
As a result of this homeless households now receive two offers of
accommodation in their area of choice, wherever possible.
Further Action Needed:
 Review local performance indicators to better reflect the youth homelessness
prevention agenda, for example set targets for maximum homelessness
acceptances made relating to parental eviction.
 Review the outcomes of the ongoing Home Movers Survey and the
implications for youth homelessness.
 Benchmark access to homelessness and housing advice services for young
people against other local authorities.
 Undertake a customer satisfaction survey or mystery shopping exercise to
gain feedback on service provision.
Objective 5:
Improved Joint Working with Partner Agencies
Progress to Date:
 Knowsley MBC has a joint protocol between the Housing Strategy Division,
Social Services and KHT for Young People in Housing Need, which is
currently being revised.
 Knowsley MBC works with a number of agencies, such as SHAP, to provide
supported accommodation and floating support for young people.
22
Further Work Needed:
 Improve multi-agency working with YOS, Supporting People, Drugs &
Alcohol Team, Health & Social Care, Connexions, KHT and other relevant
agencies to bridge any identified gaps in service provision.
 Facilitate integrated training programmes for staff from various agencies to
avoid duplication and ensure targets and joint protocols are shared.
 Develop clear guidelines on the responsibilities of each agency involved and
ensure staff understand their roles in delivering the service.
 Improve access to, and provision of, post tenancy support to provide ‘moveon’ support – dependency to independence. This should help reduce the
incidents of repeated youth homelessness.
 Incorporate the future housing needs of young people into the planning of
provision of services and the range of accommodation. The Housing Needs
Study 2007 specifically identified a growing number of concealed households
which included young people expressing an interest in flats or maisonettes.
 Consider the implications for the Move-On Plans Protocol (MOPP) and the
recommendations in the annual plan.
23
8.
Performance Monitoring
It is essential to monitor performance against the agreed targets so that progress
can be identified, timescales revised if necessary and new targets set as progress
is made.
The data collated as part of the monitoring process will be analysed to assess the
impact of preventative and other initiatives on youth homelessness throughout the
borough, and used to inform future initiatives.
Statistics are collated monthly on presentations to the High Priority Resettlement
Panel and the number of cases rehoused. These figures show the number of
clients who are young people and what percentage they represent of the total
number of presentations.
Bi-annual reports on progress against the attached action plan will be made to the
Knowsley Housing Partnership.
The Merseyside Homelessness Forum will be used as a vehicle for sharing good
practice and benchmarking Knowsley’s performance in the provision of
homelessness and housing advice services to young people.
At the Forum
meeting on 29th October 2007 it was agreed to collate statistics on youth
homelessness for the group so that performance can be benchmarked in the same
way as homelessness.
24
9.
Best Value
The Audit Commission’s study “Housing Aspects of Community Care” calculates
the average cost of a failed tenancy as £2,300.
It is therefore important that incidents of homelessness are prevented wherever
possible. It is also imperative that Knowsley MBC ensures efficiency and value for
money in the provision of its homelessness and housing advice services to young
people. This will be achieved by:




developing a robust network of support, including training in life skills,
budgeting and access to training and employment to help sustain
tenancies;
providing effective mediation services to help prevent or reduce incidents
of homelessness;
introducing integrated multi-agency training programmes to share costs
and avoid duplication;
evaluating the financial costs of delivering the homelessness service
against the benefits and savings achieved in preventing or promptly
resolving homelessness.
25
10. Equality and Diversity
In accordance with its Equality and Diversity Strategy, Knowsley MBC is committed
to ensuring fair and equitable access to, and provision of, its services for all sectors
of the community.
Knowsley MBC’s Homelesnesss Prevention Team operates a freephone number
available at all times to give help and advice to all homeless or potentially homeless
people.
Following a review of the lettings policy for homeless households applicants now
receive up to two suitable offers of accommodation in their area of choice wherever
possible. This change to policy was formalised in summer 2005.
Choice Based Lettings (CBL) was introduced in Kirkby in 2005 as a pilot scheme
and homelessness prevention officers have been encouraging and assisting
homeless, or potentially homeless, applicants to apply for properties through this
scheme. CBL increases individual choice and it is envisaged that the scheme will
be rolled out in the near future and made available to all housing applicants in the
borough.
Knowsley MBC has been selected as the lead for developing a Merseyside SubRegional CBL Scheme. This aims to meet the Government’s objective of taking
forward its choice based lettings policy. Housing applicants will benefit from
increased housing choice by bringing together a number of local authorities and
housing associations and offering a larger pool of properties which cross authority
boundaries and improve regional mobility.
26
11. Relevant Legislation and Guidance
The following is a list of legislation and guidance which Knowsley MBC has taken
into account in the development of this strategy. The list is by no means exhaustive
but demonstrates how the authority has followed legislation and guidance in order
to fulfil its statutory obligations with regard to youth homelessness:

Children Act 1989

Children Act 2004

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

Housing Act 1996, Part VII

Housing Act 2002, Section 189 (2)

Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000

Homelessness Act 2002

“Every Child Matters” (2003) – Government Green Paper

“Youth Matters” (2005) – Government Green Paper

“Care Matters” (2006) – Government Green Paper

Homelessness Code of Guidance for Local Authorities (2006)
- published by CLG

Compendium of Good Practice in Preventing Homelessness
- published by Housemark in 2007

“Tackling Youth Homelessness” (2007) –Policy Briefing 18
published by CLG
27
12. Action Plan 2008-2012
Key Objective
Action Needed
Target
How Was
Date
Priority
Update
Key Partners
Responsible
Officer/s
Identified?
Early
Intervention to
Prevent
Homelessness
Investigate the provision of an
Accommodation Allowance for
relatives or friends to provide
emergency accommodation. If
deemed feasible introduce
scheme.
Run educational /awareness
training programme in local
schools/colleges/youth clubs
Spring
2009
Young Person’s
Accommodation
Strategy
2009
Homelessness
Forum, DCLG,
Homelessness
Strategy
Work with DCS, FIP and
Shelter to improve school
attendance. Develop targeted
support in special schools.
Provide support for school age
parents.
Improve quality and
accessibility of information and
advice for young people,
including provision of advice
and information via the internet
2008 and
ongoing
Children & Young
People’s Strategic
Plan 2007-2010
Summer
2008
Homelessness
Strategy
Improve consultation with
young people
Spring
2008
Homelessness
Strategy
28
Working with
colleagues to
deliver youth
homelessness
awareness training
package in schools,
colleges and youth
clubs
Attendance team
are monitoring
school systems and
will identify where
support is needed
from parent mentors
Advert placed in
What Now? 2007
booklet detailing
services of
Homelessness
Prevention Team
Young Person’s
Conference held in
Spring 2008.
Housing Strategy,
MAP
Homelessness
Prevention Coordinator
Housing Strategy,
DCS,
schools/colleges
Homelessness
Prevention Coordinator/Children’s
Services Manager
DCS, Housing
Strategy, Schools,
FIP, Shelter
Homelessness
Prevention Coordinator/Children’s
Services Manager
Young Person’s
Housing Forum,
Housing Strategy,
DCS
Housing Strategy
Officer
RSLs, CAB,
Merseyside Welfare
Rights, KMBC,
Homelessness
Prevention Coordinator
Key Objective
Action Needed
Target
How Was
Date
Priority
Update
Key Partners
Responsible
Officer/s
Identified?
DCS, Centre 63
January
2008
Provide
Adequate
Support for
Vulnerable
Young People
Young Advisors
consulted on
current provision of
homelessness and
housing advice
services
Analysis of
contacts/referrals
and assessments
being undertaken
by DCS
Work with DCS to identify
young people previously
referred/assessed who may be
particularly at risk of
homelessness
Develop a toolkit to raise
awareness of the issues
surrounding youth
homelessness and educate
young people about the risks
Ensure move-on networks are
in place for care leavers and exoffenders
Autumn
2008
Children & Young
People’s Strategic
Plan 2007-2010
Spring
2009
Young Person’s
Accommodation
Strategy
End
2008
Young Person’s
Accommodation
Strategy
Review the
implications of
MOPP
C&F, RSLs,
Probation Service
Improve multi-agency working
to identify ‘at risk’ young people
End
2008
Young Person’s
Accommodation
Strategy
Review the
implications of
MOPP
DCS, voluntary and
community
organisations
Investigate the provision of a
Guardian Scheme with
tenancies for young people in
the same area as a ‘guardian’
who will support. Introduce
scheme if deemed feasible.
2009
Young Person’s
Accommodation
Strategy
29
DCS, FIP, Shelter
SHAP, Centre 63,
DCS
DCS, RSLs
Homelessness
Prevention Coordinator, with
Principle Strategy
Officer
Homelessness
Prevention Coordinator/Team
Leader, Youth
Integrated
Commissioning
Manager –
Supported Living
High Priority
Resettlement Panel
(HPRP) Coordinator
Homelessness
Prevention Coordinator
Key Objective
Action Needed
Target
How Was
Date
Priority
Update
Key Partners
Responsible
Officer/s
Identified?
Monitor levels and reasons for
repeated youth homelessness
and identify measures to
remedy
February
2008
Audit Commission
Homelessness and
Housing Advice
inspection 2005
recommendations
Invite feedback from young
people who have received
support to assess service
provided and recommend
changes if necessary
2008 and
ongoing
Homelessness
Strategy
Merseyside
Homelessness
Forum to collate
youth
homelessness
figures and
benchmark across
local authorities
Focus group of
young people held
January 2008 to
discuss current
provision of
services.
Housing Strategy,
RSLs, DCS,
Merseyside
Homelessness
Forum
Housing Intelligence
Officer
Housing Strategy,
DCS, RSLs
Homelessness
Prevention
Officer/KHT
Homelessness
Prevention Team
Homelessness
Prevention Coordinator
Homelessness
Prevention Coordinator
Need to develop
feedback form for
service users
Work with DCS to improve level
of engagement with vulnerable
groups and reduce exclusions
Work with DSC and YOS to
implement a joint action plan
with Youth Justice Board
2008 and
ongoing
Complete multi-agency
assessment prior to any child
becoming ‘looked after’. Attend
CAF training
2008 and
ongoing
2008 and
ongoing
Children & Young
People’s Strategic
Plan 2007-2010
Children & Young
People’s Strategic
Plan 2007-2010
DCS are monitoring
admissions via Fair
Access Protocol
Joint action plan
with YJB agreed
DCS, FIP, Shelter,
Housing Strategy
Children & Young
People’s Strategic
Plan 2007-2010
Programme to roll
out CAF training
being prepared by
DCS
C&F, KHT
Homelessness
Prevention Team,
Housing Strategy
30
DCS, YOS, Housing
Strategy
Principal Strategy
Officer/
Homelessness
Prevention Coordinator
Key Objective
Action Needed
Target
How Was
Date
Priority
Update
Key Partners
Responsible
Officer/s
Identified?
Develop a
Wider Choice
of Housing
Options
Eliminate the use of bed and
breakfast accommodation for
16 to 17 year olds
April
2008
Homelessness
Strategy, Audit
Commission 2005
recommendations
Young Person’s
Accommodation
Strategy
B&B Strategy
produced in May
2005
RSLs, DCS
Bring empty properties back
into use
Autumn
2008
Pilot Tenancies for Minors
Empty Homes
Strategy currently
being produced
Summer
2008
Young Person’s
Accommodation
Strategy
Review implications
of introducing
tenancies for minors
in Knowsley
KMBC Elected
Members, Knowsley
Housing
Partnership, DCS
KHT, RSLs
Ensure provision of adequate
accommodation for care leavers
and ex-offenders
End
2008
Young Person’s
Accommodation
Strategy
Review implications
of MOPP
KHT, C&F, YOS
HPRP Coordinator/YOS
Operational
Manager
Improve the provision of
adequate supported
accommodation for young
homeless people
2008 and
ongoing
Young Persons’
Accommodation
Strategy
Housing Strategy,
SHAP, RSLs
Strategic Housing
Manager
Implement action plan in Young
Person’s Accommodation
Strategy. Develop a Young
2010
Children & Young
People’s Strategic
Plan 2007-2010
Octavia Court is
being refurbished
and will include 5
units of temporary
/emergency
accommodation. It
is due for
completion Spring
2008
Young Person’s
Accommodation
Strategy developed
DCS, Housing
Strategy, RSLs
Housing Strategy
Officer
31
Principal Strategy
Officer/KHT
Homelessness
Prevention Team
Strategic Housing
Manager
Principal Strategy
Officer
Key Objective
Action Needed
Target
How Was
Date
Priority
Update
Key Partners
Responsible
Officer/s
Identified?
Person’s Supported Housing
Scheme.
Provide Fair
and Equitable
Access to
Homelessness
Services and
Housing
Advice
Improve Joint
Working with
Partner
Agencies
Review local performance
indicators eg set targets for
maximum homelessness
acceptances made as a result
of parental eviction
Benchmark access to
homelessness and housing
advice services
Spring
2008
Young Person’s
Accommodation
Strategy
Autumn
2008
Undertake a customer
satisfaction survey or mystery
shopper exercise
Develop multi-agency working
to bridge any identified gaps in
service provision
Summer
2008
Develop integrated staff training
programme across various
agencies to save costs, avoid
duplication and share targets
and protocols
2009
March
2008
by Housing
Strategy.
Kennelwood Hostel
due to be
refurbished/
redeveloped
Need to assess
current performance
Housing Strategy,
KHT Homelessness
Prevention Team
Principal Strategy
Officer
HQN
Homelessness Best
Value Review 2005
Merseyside
Homelessness
Benchmarking
Forum
Homelessness
Prevention Coordinator/KHT
Homelessness
Prevention Team
Young Person’s
Accommodation
Strategy
Young Person’s
Accommodation
Strategy
Housing Strategy,
KHT, DCS
Homelessness
Prevention Coordinator
Head of Housing,
Planning & Bldg
Control/Children’s
Services Manager/
Lead for Childrens’
Social Care
Principal Strategy
Officer
Young Person’s
Accommodation
Strategy,
Homelessness
Strategy
32
Revised Joint
Protocol between
Housing Strategy,
DHSC and KHT to
be adopted
Housing Strategy,
DHSC, KHT, YOS,
Supporting People,
Connexions, Drugs
& Alcohol Team
Hold at least 3
Homelessness
Forum training
events each year
Housing Strategy,
KHT, DHSC,
Merseyside
Homelessness
Forum
Key Objective
Action Needed
Target
How Was
Date
Priority
Update
Key Partners
Responsible
Officer/s
Identified?
Develop clear guidelines on
responsibilities of agencies
involved and ensure staff are
aware of their roles
Develop a multi-agency
protocol to prevent eviction
Summer
2008
Joint Protocol for
Young People in
Housing Need 2008
Joint protocol to go
to Cabinet for
adoption
Housing Strategy,
KHT, DHSC
Homelessness
Prevention Coordinator
Autumn
2008
Homelessness
Strategy, CDRP
Strategy, RSLs
Initial meeting of
partners met April
2008
CDRP, DHSC,
Housing Strategy,
RSLs, YOS
Develop a multi-agency
protocol to support households
following an eviction to be resettled
Improve access to, and
provision of, post tenancy
support to provide ‘move-on’
support
Identify future housing needs
and aspiration of young people
and incorporate in service
planning
Work with DCS and the
Roughdale Court Panel to
reduce the rate of teenage
pregnancies
Roll out the use of Contact
Point/CAF to improve multiagency access to information
Work with DCS to improve
access to work and further
education
Spring
2009
Homelessness
Strategy, CDRP
Strategy, RSLs
Initial meeting of
partners met in april
2008
CDRP, DHSC,
Housing Strategy,
RSLs, YOS
End
2008
Young Person’s
Accommodation
Strategy
Review implications
of MOPP
Housing Strategy,
RSLs, DHSC,
SHAP
Homelessness
Prevention Coordinator, Principal
Strategy Officer
Homelessness
Prevention Coordinator, Principal
strategy Officer
HPRP Co-ordinator
Ongoing
Housing Needs
Survey 2007
Assess implications
of young persons’
housing needs
Housing Strategy,
RSLs, DHSC
Homelessness
Prevention Coordinator
2010
Children & Young
People’s Strategy
Plan 2007-2010
HPRP Co-ordinator
is a member of the
Roughdale Court
Panel
PCT, DCS, HPRP
Co-ordinator
By 2010
Children & Young
People’s Strategy
Plan 2007-2010
Children & Young
People’s Strategic
Plan 2007-2010
DCS, PCT, Housing
Strategy,
Homelessness
Prevention Service
DHSC, FIP, Shelter,
Homelessness
Prevention Service
DCS, Connexions,
Housing Strategy,
FIP, Shelter
End
2008
33
DCS are working
with Connexions to
monitor annual
achievements data
Principal Strategy
Officer
Housing Strategy
Officer
Key Objective
Action Needed
Target
How Was
Date
Priority
Update
Key Partners
Responsible
Officer/s
Identified?
Work with DSC to develop a
Children Looked After Council
and improve engagement with
this group in the delivery of
services
2008 and
ongoing
Children & Young
People’s Strategic
Plan 2007-2010
Children Looked
After Strategy
launched
DCS
Housing Strategy
Officer
Glossary
MOPP
- Move-On Plans Protocol
MAP
- Merseyside Accommodation Project
YOS
- Youth Offending Service
CLG
- Communities & Local Government
YJB
- Youth Justice Board
DCS
- Directorate of Childrens’ Services
CAF
- Common Assessment Framework
FIP
- Family Intervention Project
RSL
- Registered Social Landlord
KHT
- Knowsley Housing Trust
HQN
- Housing Quality Network
CAB
- Citizens’ Advice Bureau
PCT
- Primary Care Trust
KMBC - Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council
SHAP - St. Helens Accommodation Project
CDRP - Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership
HPRP - High Priority Resettlement Panel
C&F
DHSC - Department of Health and Social Care
- Children and Families
34