On your own now: the risks of unsuitable accommodation for older teenagers

Transcription

1 : the risks of unsuitable accommodation for older teenagers September 2015 By Richard Crellin and Iryna Pona

2 Appendix Appendix A Accommodation Crashpad Floating Tenancy Support Foyer Nightstop Supported Accommodation Supported Lodgings Training Flats Typical Provision Temporary emergency accommodation for young people facing homelessness because they have been asked to leave home Usually limited to around 21 days Intensive family mediation and other support offered to repair family relationships and move the young person back into the family home. Often attached to a foyer or other supported accommodation Living independently in the community, often with a tenancy from a housing association Support worker visits regularly to ensure tenancy is stable and helps to signpost to agencies for other needs Part of the Foyer Federation Own room and shared facilities Tenancy dependent on engaging in education, employment or training On-site support Temporary emergency accommodation for young people facing homelessness Live in a spare room with a host family for up to two weeks Own room and shared facilities On-site support Own room in a family home Host supports young person to learn independent living skills Similar to staying out scheme for foster carers Designed for care leavers to experience independent living for a short period before they decided to leave care Regular support to gain independent living skills 2

3 Appendix B Looked after under section 20 of the Children Act 1989 Looked after children will have their pathway plan developed by children s services, allowing them to think ahead The young people s accommodation is paid for by children s services up to the age of 18 Depending on local policy they may receive pocket money or special allowances for birthdays and other occasions Pathway plans include education and career planning All looked after children have named health professionals and have improved access to health services, including mental health services All looked after children are entitled to advocacy support if they want to make a complaint or representation about the services they receive They are entitled to have an independent visitor If a crisis occurs at the accommodation, e.g. as a result of behaviour deteriorating, children s services continue to support them and will find them a new placement On turning 18 as a care leaver, young people remain a priority for housing support and get increased housing benefit entitlements They are also entitled to support from children s services up to the age of 21, or even 25 in some cases. Accommodated under the Housing Act and/or section 17 of the Children Act 1989 Young people who are not looked after will only get minimal support. There is no requirement for a pathway plan to be put in place Young people are responsible for claiming benefits and paying for their accommodation and all other expenses No Young They If On special allowances for birthdays or other occasions There is a duty on young people to participate in education or training but no specific support people do not have any additional entitlements for health support and are not seen as a priority by mental health services are not entitled to advocacy support No entitlement to an independent visitor there is a crisis situation in their accommodation which results in eviction the young person can be seen as intentionally homeless and denied further support turning 18 a young person will no longer be seen as a priority group for housing purposes and can only access lowest level of housing benefit support On turning 18 they are not eligible for any further support from children s services. 3

4 Appendix C On your own now Thank you for agreeing to take our survey - we really appreciate your time. The survey should take no longer than 15 minutes. The survey is aimed at the managers of supported accommodation for young people and looks to find out about young people's experiences and how organisations work together to support them. Here are some points to keep in mind: - Unless explicitly stated otherwise, every question in this survey concerns the 16- and 17-yearolds in your accommodation. You may house other age groups but your answers should only be made in reference to how 16- and 17-year olds are cared for and NOT what might be your standard practice for older age groups. - Please answer on behalf of the units of supported accommodation you directly manage. Your organisation may provide a number of units across your region or the country but we would like you to answer only on behalf of the units of accommodation for which you are directly in charge. - This survey will be analysed and presented anonymously. We are asking some identifying questions at the beginning in order to verify who you are and quality assure the survey. You can refuse to answer these questions if you wish. If you do provide details we may contact you to discuss your answers but we will not identify you in our research and will keep the records of the survey securely. - Answer as many questions as you can. You may not be able to answer all the questions - if so just leave the ones you cannot complete blank. At the bottom of each question there is a free text box for any additional comments, questions or clarifications you would like to make. - We will use the data you provide to write a report on supported accommodation for 16- and 17- year-olds with the aim of lobbying central governments and local councils to improve the care and attention these vulnerable young people receive from statutory bodies. The purpose of the research is to gather evidence about the extent to which statutory bodies and other government organisations are properly considering and working with supported accommodation providers when carrying out their duties. - If you have any questions, at any time, do get in touch with us by contacting: Richard Crellin, Policy Officer, richard.crellin@childrenssociety.org.uk / Many thanks once again for taking part, The Children's Society This first set of questions are to obtain information about your identity. They are purely for verification purposes. They will not be used for anything else. If you do not wish to answer them please read and tick the confirmation statement made in question 5. 4

5 1. What is the name of the accommodation provider you are answering on behalf of? On your own now 2. What is your name? 3. What is your job title? 4. Could you please provide an address or telephone number we could reach you on, should we need to? 5. I would rather not answer these questions about my identity but can confirm that I am the manager/supervisor of a supported accommodation unit that provides placements for young people aged 16 and 17. Confirmed This set of questions is about the kind of accommodation you provide - the size, its characteristics and how it is funded. 6. Do you provide accommodation for young people aged 16 or 17? Yes No 7. What local authority/council area is your accommodation based in? (please tick the Local Authority in which your accommodation is based only.) Barnsley Bath and North East Somerset Liverpool City London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Oxfordshire County Peterborough City 5

6 Bedford Borough London Borough of Barnet Plymouth City Birmingham City Blackburn with Darwen Borough Blackpool Bolton Bournemouth Borough Bracknell Forest Borough Bradford Metropolitan District Brighton and Hove City Bristol City Buckinghamshire County Bury Metropolitan Borough Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Cambridgeshire County Central Bedfordshire Cheshire East Cheshire West and Chester Cornwall Coventry City Cumbria County Darlington Borough Derby City Derbyshire County Devon County Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Dorset County Dudley Metropolitan Borough Durham County East Riding of Yorkshire East Sussex County Essex County Gateshead London Borough of Bexley London Borough of Brent London Borough of Bromley London Borough of Camden London Borough of Croydon London Borough of Ealing London Borough of Enfield London Borough of Greenwich London Borough of Hackney London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough of Haringey London Borough of Harrow London Borough of Havering London Borough of Hillingdon London Borough of Hounslow London Borough of Islington London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea London Borough of Kingston upon Thames London Borough of Lambeth London Borough of Lewisham London Borough of Merton London Borough of Newham London Borough of Redbridge London Borough of Richmond upon Thames London Borough of Southwark London Borough of Sutton London Borough of Tower Hamlets London Borough of Waltham Forest London Borough of Wandsworth London Borough of Westminster Poole Borough Portsmouth City Reading Borough Redcar and Cleveland Borough Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Rutland County Salford City Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Sefton Metropolitan Borough Sheffield City Shropshire Slough Borough Solihull Metropolitan Borough Somerset County South Gloucestershire South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Southampton City Southend-on-Sea Borough St Helens Metropolitan Borough Staffordshire County Stockport Metropolitan Borough Stockton-on-Tees Borough Stoke-on-Trent City Suffolk County Sunderland City Surrey County Swindon Borough 6

7 Gloucestershire County Halton Borough Hampshire County Hartlepool Borough Herefordshire Hertfordshire County On your own now Luton Borough Tameside Metropolitan Borough Manchester City Telford and Wrekin Borough Medway Thurrock Middlesbrough Borough Torbay Milton Keynes Trafford Metropolitan Borough Newcastle Upon Tyne City Hull City Isle of Wight Kent County Kirklees Metropolitan Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Lancashire County Leeds City Leicester City Leicestershire County Lincolnshire County Norfolk County North East Lincolnshire North Lincolnshire North Somerset North Tyneside North Yorkshire County Northamptonshire County Northumberland County Nottingham City Nottinghamshire County Oldham Wakefield Metropolitan District Walsall Metropolitan Borough Warrington Borough Warwickshire County West Berkshire West Sussex County Wigan Wiltshire Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Wirral Metropolitan Borough Wokingham Borough Wolverhampton City Worcestershire County York City 8. What are the age ranges of the people staying in your accommodation? (Please choose the option that fits your accommodation most closely) Ages 16 and 17 only Ages Ages Ages How many people can you accommodate at any one time? 7

8 10. what is the maximum number of 16- and 17-year-olds you can accommodate at any one time? 11. How many 16- and 17-year-olds did you accommodate in 2014? (This does not need to be the exact number but if you are providing an estimate please clearly indicate that it is an estimate) 12. What kind of accommodation does your unit provide for 16- and 17-year-olds? (tick as many as apply) Emergency (up to 5 nights) Short Term (up to one month) Long Term Moving on accommodation (time limited to prepare young people for independence) Floating accommodation support (through key workers) 13. What style of accommodation does your unit provide for 16- and 17-year-olds? (tick as many as apply) Hostel Foyer Training flats Supported Accommodation Semi-Supported Accommodation Floating support in private or registered provider accommodation 8

9 14. What kind of organisation is your accommodation unit part of? (Please give one answer that most closely matches) Charity Social Enterprise Housing Association Private Company On your own now 15. Your accommodation might be funded through multiple grants and streams. Please give an estimated percentage of the different sources of your funding for your 16 and 17 year olds. None About one-quarter About half About threequarters All Charitable offer made by your organisation Commissioned by housing services Commissioned by children's social care services Commissioned by the local authority in a joint manner (for example by both children's and housing services) 9

10 16. How are 16- and 17-year-olds referred into your accommodation? (Please tick all that apply) By children's social care services By housing services By local schools or colleges By the local Youth Offending Team Self-referral From other parts of your organisation Don't know This third set of questions are about the 16- and 17-year olds that you accommodate and care for. Its about their needs and other agencies that support them. 17. What proportion of the 16- and 17-year olds in your care have: All More than half About half Less than half None A named social worker provided by their local authority? A named support worker provided by their local authority? 18. Do you ever accommodate 16- and 17-year-olds from other Local Authorities? (ie. from Local Authorities other than the Local Authority in whose geographical boundary your unit resides) The majority of our 16- and 17-year-olds are from other Local Authorities We occasionally take 16- and 17-year-olds from other Local Authorities We do not take 16- and 17-year-olds from other Local Authorities The next three questions are about the level of support the 16- and 17-year-olds you 10

11 accommodate require in terms of contact time with a support worker or similar. The first question looks at what you believe their support needs actually are, whilst the following questions looks at how much actual support they receive. 19. Thinking about the 16- and 17-year-olds you support could you use the below grid to outline what kind of support needs, in terms of contact time with a support worker, they require? (Choose the options that most closely fit) 24 hours a day Up to 8 hours a day One hour a day Four hours a week two hours a fortnight Half a day every month Those with the most intensive support needs Those with considerable support needs Those with moderate support needs Those with low level support needs 20. Thinking about the 16- and 17-year-olds you support could you use the below grid to outline what kind of support needs, in terms of contact time with a support worker, they receive. (Choose the options that most closely fit) 24 hours a day Up to 8 hours a day One hour a day Four hours a week two hours a fortnight Half a day every month None Those with the most intensive support needs Those with considerable support needs Those with moderate support needs Those with low level support needs 11

12 21. What kind of support workers does your organisation provide for the 16- and 17-year-olds you accommodate? Dedicated, paid support-worker for every young person On-duty, paid support-worker at all times Paid support-worker available at certain times Volunteer support-worker for every young person Volunteer support-workers at all times Volunteer support-workers available at certain times None 22. From a financial perspective how many of the 16- and 17-year olds accommodated with you: Don't know None About onequarter About half About threequarters All/nearly all Are in debt Are in receipt of state benefits Are in rent arrears to your organisation Are in poverty (less than 139 a week after housing costs) 12

13 23. Please tick which of the following kinds of support you, or others, provide for your 16- and 17-yearolds: You Local Authority Government agency Local charity No help typically recieved Opening a bank account Signing up for state benefits Learning to cook Help with household budgeting Help paying and understanding bills Learning how to do basic household tasks Writing a CV and help finding work Help to pay off debts Registering with a GP or dentist Support to get a sexual health check Relationship advice Drug and alcohol support Help accessing education or training 24. Do the 16- and 17-year-olds you accommodate have to leave your accommodation when they turn 18 years of age? Yes No 13

14 25. How do you think the support homeless young people receive changes upon turning 18? It increases significantly It increases a little bit It stays about the same It decreases a little bit It decreases significantly 26. Does the way a young person's placement is paid for change when they turn 18? No Occasionally Normally 27. Does the young person's weekly income (including benefits, wages, stipends etc) change upon turning 18 years of age? Significant improvement Slight improvement No change Slight deterioration Significant deterioration 28. As a 17-year-old approaches their 18th birthday are there any typical concerns you have about how their situation might change as they become an adult or trends that often occur? This set of questions all focus on how 16- and 17-year-olds in accommodation are safeguarded by risk and harm. 14

15 29. Considering each of the following issues, please indicate the level of risk they pose to the 16- and 17-year-olds you accommodate? No risk Small risk Medium risk Significant risk Very high risk Illegal drugs Legal highs alcohol sexual exploitation involvement in crime involvement in gangs bullying poor mental health 30. Thinking about the risks identified in the question above, in general where do these risk factors come from? Almost always More than half the time Occasionally Almost never/never Other people living in your accommodation Friends outside your accommodation Family Strangers outside your accommodation Strangers met online 31. In 2014 how many violent incidents were there in your accommodation? (1. You may or may not have called the police) (2. Please clearly indicate if the number is an estimate) 15

16 32. Do you have Yes No Don't know a safeguarding lead in your accommodation unit a written safeguarding procedure statement a safety plan exploring the local risks in your area 33. Do you make safeguarding referrals to your local children's services or MASH (Multi-agency safeguarding hub)? Yes No Don't know 34. If you make a safeguarding referral to your local authority how do you normally follow it up? (Tick as many as apply) Phone call to safeguarding team to safeguarding team Written letter to safeguarding team In person with the safeguarding team Directly with the named social worker Don't follow up Don't know 16

17 35. For a routine referral how responsive is your local safeguarding team or multi-agency safeguarding hub? Response within less than 8 hours Response within 24 hours Response within 2-3 working days Response within 5 working days Rarely responds Don't know 36. Are you regularly invited to Common Assessment Framework (CAF, or similar) meetings to contribute your knowledge and experience of an individual you are working with? Always Mostly Occasionally Never 37. Please indiciate what level of involvement your accommodation has had with your local safeguarding children board (LSCB) (Please tick all that apply): A member of staff sits on the board or a sub-group of the board We have been asked to contribute to the boards long term planning/strategy We have offered information about a specific case that has been under review We receive updates and information from our LSCB No involvement with our LSCB This page asks a couple of questions about what your organisation does to care for 16- and 17- year-olds who go missing or runaway from your accommodation. 17

18 38. If a 16- or 17- year old goes missing or runs away from your accommodation do: Yes No Don't know you have a written procedure detailing the steps your staff will take is a young person goes missing? the police treat a 16- or 17-year-old from your accommodation who goes missing as high risk? These questions are about other organisations you might work with. 18

19 39. How often do you have contact with: On your own now On a regular basis Intermittent contact No previous contact Don't know Your named safeguarding contact at your Local Authority A safeguarding contact at the Local Authority Your named police contact for your accommodation contact with the local police A contact from each of the relevant Local Safeguarding Children Boards A contact from each of the relevant Youth Offending Teams A contact in local Adolescent Mental Health Services A contact at the local JobCentre Plus A contact at local schools and colleges The following questions are all about what happens if you have to evict a 16- or 17-year old from your accommodation. 40. In 2014 how many 16- and 17-year olds did you have to evict from your accommodation? 19

20 41. Under what circumstances have you evicted a young person aged 16 or 17 from your accommodation? Rent arrears Serious damage to accommodation or facilities Illegal drug use Use of legal highs Alcohol consumption Violence Loud or antisocial behaviour Bullying Failure to engage in education, employment or training Spending too many nights away from the provided accommodation Letting people from outside the accommodation into the building and/or their rooms We never evict young people aged 16 or Regarding evictions from your accommodation: Yes No Don't know Do you clearly and simply explain your eviction procedure when a young person is first placed with you? When you serve notice of eviction to a 16- or 17-year-old do you notify children's services/their named social worker?

21 43. When a 16- or 17-year-old is evicted from your accommodation where are they most likely to be placed? (tick all that apply) Residential Children's Home In a hostel With another supported accommodation provider In a bed and breakfast that is solely used by the Local Authority for emergency accommodation In a bed and breakfast open to the general public In accommodation owned by the Local Authority In accommodation owned by a housing association This final set of questions considers the training needs of your staff 44. What is the minimum level of qualifications you require from those you employ as support workers? (Tick all that apply) Experience only In job training NVQ Level 1 NVQ Level 2 NVQ Level 3 Bachelor's Degree Master's or Postgraduate degree 45. Is your safeguarding lead a fully trained social worker? Yes No Don't know

22 46. What safeguarding requirements do you have in place for your volunteers? (Tick all that apply) Basic DBS check Enhanced + DBS check In-house safeguarding training Accredited safeguarding training Local authority provided safeguarding training 47. Can you briefly describe the safeguarding duties placed on you by your Local authority? (Include reporting, training requirements, etc) 48. Have you ever received specific training from your local authority on: (please tick all that apply) Child sexual exploitation Local missing/runaway protocol and procedures Safeguarding referrals Safeguarding children from gang involvement Safeguarding young people from drugs and alcohol misuse Thank you for completing this survey. If you have any questions or concerns please get in touch with us: Richard Crellin Policy Officer richard.crellin@childrenssociety.org.uk We will be analysing the results of this survey over the coming months and will publish our findings over the summer on our website: 22

23 Appendix D Benefit/Payment Income Support (IS) Universal Credit (UC) Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) Detail Means-tested benefit for those on low income Cannot claim if in full-time employment (more than 16 hours a week) Administered and paid by the Department of Work and Pensions Eligible from 16 and whilst in relevant education but only if you live apart from your parents Personal allowance of 57.90for 16 and 17 yearolds contributes to the applicable amount which also includes any premiums (for example, carer s allowance) and housing costs. Means-tested benefit for people on a low income or who are out of work Administered and paid by the Department of Work and Pensions 16 and 17 year-olds may be able to apply if Universal Credit is available in their area and if they are estranged from their parents Payment calculated from the maximum amount of UC an individual is eligible for and how much income you have over each month. Standard allowance for someone under 25 is Contribution or means-tested benefit for those seeking employment Administered and paid by the Department of Work and Pensions 16 and 17 year-olds likely to be on meanstested income-based JSA Can qualify at 16, but not whilst in relevant education If you qualify for IS and also meet the conditions for JSA you can choose between IS or JSA Personal allowance of 57.90for 16 and 17 yearolds contributes to the applicable amount which also includes any premiums (for example, carer s allowance) and housing costs. 23

24 [continued] Appendix D Benefit/Payment Housing Benefit (HB) Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children and Personal Independence Payments (PIP) Detail Means-tested benefit paid to people on a low income who pay rent Administered and paid by local authorities Must be liable to pay rent. 16 and 17 year-olds do apply if there is an intention to create legal relations over rent payments Applicable amount (personal allowance and premiums) and maximum HB based on age, dependants and local area are used to calculate rate Those under the age of 35 are only eligible for the shared accommodation rate unless they have dependants or other exemptions apply (for example being a care leaver under the age of 21) A benefit for people living with disabilities who need help getting around or with supervision or attention needs Single payment made up of mobility and daily living components Non-means-tested benefit Administered and paid by the Department of Work and Pensions Those under 16 receive DLA for children and upon turning 16 should be transferred to PIP (rollout in progress) Children will continue to receive DLA for children until PIP claim is assessed and completed. 16 and 17 year-olds can have the payment made to them directly The mobility allowance is either or The care allowance is either or

25 [continued] Appendix D Benefit/Payment Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Child Benefit Tax Credits Detail Contribution or means-tested benefit for those with limited capability for work but who are not entitled to statutory sick pay Entitlement assessed through work capability assessment Administered and paid by the Department of Work and Pensions Can claim if you are over 16 but not if you are in full-time education unless you receive DLA or IS Amount determined by outcome of assessment after the applicable amount (personal allowance, premiums and housing costs) is taken from income. Personal allowance of Child benefit is non-means-tested benefit for those responsible for a child (they do not need to be their parent) Administered by HM Revenue and Customs Applies to people looking after a child up to the age of 16 and to some 16 or 17 year-olds if they are living at home and in education For the first child a carer receives a week and then for subsequent children 16 and 17 year-olds can only apply for Working Tax Credits if they are disabled or responsible for a child whilst in full time employment 16 and 17 year-olds are eligible for child tax credits if they have dependent children and their income is sufficiently low Maximum child tax credit made up of four potential elements of which most people will receive the family allowance of 545 a year and the child allowance of 2,780 a year. 25

26 [continued] Appendix D Benefit/Payment Tax Loans and Tenancies Detail A 16 or 17 year-old is not eligible for Tax although if they are living in shared accommodation with people who are eligible the dwelling would be subject to some council tax. 16 and 17 year-olds are not eligible for loans or tenancies unless they have a guarantor. Whilst it is extremely unlikely anyone would extend credit to a 16 or 17 year-old the law is flexible with regards to tenancies anything that resembles a legal relationship over payments in respect of housing could be interpreted as a tenancy. 26

27 The Children s Society It is a painful fact that many children and young people in Britain today are still suffering extreme hardship, abuse and neglect. Too often their problems are ignored and their voices unheard. About our work with 16 and 17 year-olds Last year The Children s Society worked with over 34,000 children and young people across England. 1,600 of these young people were aged 16 and 17. We worked with these young people in many different ways. Some were homeless and needed our help to rebuild their relationships with their families or to settle in a new home, living alone. Others were care leavers who we helped to navigate the difficult transition between a childhood in care and an independent adult life. Young people at risk of sexual exploitation, those who required an advocate to ensure their voice could be heard by those making decisions about their lives and many who had run away from home or care all received help from us. We also helped this age-group through projects providing counselling, or those providing help and support to young migrants who arrived in England alone. We know these young people are vulnerable and need more help and support. Where they live is often of central importance to whether or not they will succeed. It is for this reason that we present their stories in this report and that we campaign publically for them, through our Seriously Awkward to make sure their lives can continue to improve. For more information on this report, please contact: Richard Crellin Policy Officer e. Richard.crellin@childrenssociety.org.uk t The Children s Society June Names used in this report have been changed to maintain anonymity. All photographs posed by models. Charity Registration No PCR052m/0915