Lack of support to blame for care leaver housing problems, report finds

Research carried out for the charity's On Your Own Now report found half of the 118 providers used by local authorities to house vulnerable 16 to 17-year-olds have evicted or asked a child to move at short notice. Substance misuse, mental health problems, violence and financial problems were the main reasons for eviction arising.

But housing providers said children's services departments are failing to ensure the right support from youth workers and safeguarding teams is in place that could prevent problems arising.

More than half (55 per cent) of housing providers reported children’s services did not include them in planning support for the young people in their care.

In addition, 30 of 102 local authorities had failed to quantify the number of looked-after 16 to 17-year-olds in their care, and 72 per cent failed to adequately consider other groups at risk such as homeless young people.

According to the report, the findings show a "lack of engagement" from children’s services in "informing, commissioning and securing good quality accommodation and support" for young people aged 16 and 17, for both looked-after children and other vulnerable groups supported through the Housing Act.

Sam Royston, director of policy and research at The Children's Society, said a range of children's services need to be involved in supporting care leavers.

“It is unacceptable that children are being evicted from the very places intended to keep them safe and prepare them for adulthood, often simply as a result of getting behind on bills or lacking the support they need to cope," he said.

“We know from our work with these children that while many housing providers give excellent support, too often older teenagers are being let down by the bodies that should be protecting them.

“All services involved in their care need to be giving them the right support to allow them to flourish.”

Denise Hatton, chief executive of YMCA England, which provides youth worker support for the vulnerable young people its schemes house, said: “We understand that 16- and 17-year-olds unable to live at home can be extremely vulnerable.

“Without a safe place to stay and the guidance of caring, responsible adults, many of these young people face a greater risk of experiencing periods of unemployment and homelessness, with little hope for the future."

The Children's Society has now called on government, councils and Ofsted to strengthen the regulations around accommodation and support for young homeless people.