Issue - items at meetings - Housing for Vulnerable People

Steve Barton – Lead Commissioner, Children’s, Youth & Families will be presenting the report.

42.1         Steve Barton – Lead Commissioner, Children’s Youth and Families introduced the report and answered questions with Jo Sharp –Commissioning Officer, Housing Commissioning Unit

42.2         The Lead Commissioner explained that the Service Commission process had almost completed the needs assessment process.  The Lead Commissioner highlighted the following key points:

·        The youth homelessness working group would  be consulted on  the final recommendations in May

·        It was anticipated the strategy would support close working with the Joint Commissioning Strategy for Services for Young People and especially the provision of information, advice and guidance by the city’s youth work services to ensure  young people receive a clear message that the city has extremely limited housing options for young people

·        A range of potential options were emerging through the needs analysis process to improve service provision including commissioning supported lodging schemes.

·        The final report would go to the relevant committees in July 2012.

42.3         Questions raised included:

·        What emergency provision was there for 16-19 year old young people who had a family breakdown that night? Members were informed  that included in the current housing pathway were options for emergency provision which incorporated emergency bed spaces within  supported housing schemes. Where there were no other options bed and breakfast emergency accommodation was provided.

·        How was emergency provision managed as some establishments were inappropriate for young people, due to ex-offenders staying there too? The committee were told that this was a particularly challenging issue and one of the key reasons why services were being reviewed. There was some effective accommodation provision in place, with appropriate resources to support young people. But there were also areas where improvements were necessary.

·        Councillors could sometimes be involved with youth homelessness issues, what was the best forum to feedback?  Members were informed that the youth homeless working group which was made up of council staff and service providers was a suitable forum to speak to providers. The Lead Commissioner would explore this further with housing colleagues and feedback.

·        There was a huge need for emergency accommodation, was the charity Night Stop included in this provision? The committee were told that there were a range of services, which did include the service run by Sussex Central YMCA which enabled a young person to stay in a host person’s home for a limited period. Other options were being explored as part of the service commission.

·        A youth council representative asked why the housing allocation policy was changing. Members were informed that this issue had been dealt with through a report to Cabinet. As a result care leavers would still have “Band A” eligibility, unless a social work assessment proved otherwise.

·        A youth council representative asked how the points listed from the City’s Commissioning Work Plan, would be carried out? The committee were informed how issues were explored during the needs assessment process drawing together information from a range of services.

·        At a YMCA youth homelessness workshop it was explained how some young people were sent back to the city they came from, why was this? Members were informed that every Local Authority had to meet their statutory duties to young people under 18. As a result, and after discussion between authorities some young people could be advised to return to where they came from. Options would be explored for each young person through individual assessment. 

·        It would be useful to know the numbers of young people affected, and it would be helpful to know what proportion had SEN? The committee were told that there were 278 young people who accessed services at Ovest House, last year who were between the ages of 16 and17 years old.  The numbers for the previous year was slightly less.  The needs assessment was currently collating data about the particular needs of young people, including those who had special educational needs.

·        A youth council representative asked which young people had were consulted and how had this been done? Members were informed that key workers in different supported housing schemes were asked to speak to young people about what services were helpful and those which were less helpful.

42.4         The Chair thanked the Lead Commissioner and the Commissioning Officer for introducing the report and answering questions.

42.5         RESOLVED –

(1)   The committee noted the progress and made comments on the service commission review of housing for vulnerable young people.

(2)   CYPOSC agreed that the Health and Wellbeing Overview & Scrutiny Committee follow up the progress made on the city’s Youth Homelessness Strategy.