Positive relationships reduce homelessness among care leavers, study finds

The study, conducted by researchers at the Policy Institute at King’s College London for the Centre for Homelessness Impact, found that interventions supporting care leavers to build positive relationship networks with trusted adults can reduce their risk of homelessness by 10 per cent.

One analysis found that local authorities offering the Family Rights Group’s Lifelong Links service had an average of 4.8 care-experienced young people at risk of homelessness, compared with an average of 6.2 in other areas – a 22 per cent reduction.

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A second analysis of a smaller number of local authorities found an average of 5.2 care-experienced young people at risk of homelessness. When the study’s results were combined, it revealed a 10 per cent reduction in homelessness risk among care leavers benefiting from the intervention.

The study also found that the number of care-experienced young people at risk of homelessness reduced by 0.4 every year the programme operates, in comparison with areas offering standard support models.

Researchers analysed the impact of the Family Rights Group’s Lifelong Links intervention, which works with children in care to help them build strong support networks with trusted adults in their life.

The programme, funded by the Department for Education, is offered by 12 English local authorities and is currently being trialled in Scotland.

The study is the first independent evaluation of an intervention seeking to lower the instances of homelessness among young people leaving care, and is one of five impact evaluations seeking to reduce homelessness risk among young care leavers

Cathy Ashley, chief executive of Family Rights Group, said: “This ground-breaking research demonstrates that Lifelong Links can successfully reduce the chances of a young person becoming homeless.

“Young people leaving care are often alone and isolated, as their professional support network falls away. Unsurprisingly it also means they are more at risk of homelessness. Lifelong Links is designed to turn that around, so every child has meaningful relationships that they can depend upon in child and adulthood.”

Michael Sanders, professor of public policy at King’s College and the study’s lead author, said: “Previous research has shown that young people leaving care are more likely to experience adverse outcomes than their peers, with as many as a third of people experiencing homelessness having some care experience, and some 14 per cent of care leavers sleeping rough.

“Our new study finds that Lifelong Links could be an important tool in preventing homelessness among young care leavers, reducing their risk by 10 per cent according to our analysis.”