Housing association under fire over ‘no care leavers’ advert

The Guinness Partnership’s advert for a two-bed flat in Baguley, Greater Manchester – which has now been removed – read “sensitive let: No history of substance misuse within the last five years - no care leavers – no criminal convictions within the last five years”.

The organisation has apologised over the publication of the advert and said those involved "have been suspended pending an investigation into how this happened".

The advert was posted on Manchester Move which is listed on Manchester City Council's online services directory.

Care experienced campaigner Terry Galloway, founder of the Care Leaver Offer website, said the advert could “increase stigma” faced by care leavers.

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Galloway, who is leading a campaign for local authorities to treat care experience as a protected characteristic, told CYP Now: “We face barriers and stigma like no other group. Most people have family networks that they can call on when they need help, but we don’t have that, instead we face discrimination and isolation. This leaves care leavers open to sexual exploitation and criminal gangs. Imagine going through all that then when trying to find a home you get a sign – no care leavers allowed here?

“I’m sure there is a rational explanation for whoever created that line “no care leavers” but it’s not ok because this is buying into this narrative that all care leavers are bad. It increases stigma and that has to stop.”

He added that if care experience was made a protected characteristic in law – a recommendation put forward in the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care but dismissed by government - “this housing association would be in some serious trouble”.

“I’m calling on all the housing associations in Greater Manchester to treat care experience as a protected characteristic and am asking to be invited to their next group meeting,” he added.

Labour councillor Georgia Power, for Nottingham City Council, which has adopted care experience as a protected characteristic, called on the Guiness Partnership to apologise on X.

What is it about people recovering from substance misuse, rehabilitating ex offenders and, inexplicably, care leavers which makes them unsuitable for a sensitive let. What do you think they have in common @YourGuinness? pic.twitter.com/qPrzqbiL3k

— Cllr Georgia Power (@clrgeorgiapower) February 15, 2024

She told CYP Now: “There will be care-experienced people in Guiness Partnership properties and how can they have trust in their social landlords if this is how they’re treating people.”

Cllr Power added that she urged the partnership to share “what they are going to do to put this right to make sure this doesn’t happen again”.

According to its website, The Guinness Partnership offers affordable housing and care in 125 local authorities in England including more than 3,500 properties in Manchester.

A spokesperson for The Guinness Partnership said: “This was a clear breach of our policies and stands in complete contrast to our organisational values. Those involved have been suspended pending an investigation into how this happened. 

“We are deeply sorry for any hurt and distress caused.”

A spokesperson for Manchester City Council added: "This advert was placed online directly by a housing association that has homes in Manchester and we took immediate steps both to raise our concerns about it and to have it removed, as soon as it came to our attention.  

"The city council was one of the first local authorities to officially recognise being or having been in care as a protected characteristic and we're proud of the help and support we offer to our care leavers in all aspects of their lives. This includes supporting 150 care leavers a year into their first socially rented home.

"We have an open and transparent housing policy in Manchester and all social homes for rent in the city are available to everyone, including our care-leavers."

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