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Guidance published to prevent care leavers falling into homelessness
New guidance has been issued to councils aimed at preventing care leavers from falling into homelessness.
The government has published ‘good practice guidance’ for councils, encouraging early interventions and tailored support plans, in a bid to help those leaving care move smoothly into independent living.
Local authority housing departments and children’s services should produce a joint protocol to ensure a rapid and joined-up response for care leavers who do become homeless, the guidance says.
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Care leavers can often struggle to cope with the challenges of living independently and end up homeless as a result.
The government said it will write to councils to remind them that they can offer council tax discounts to care leavers and highlighted its £3.2m annual funding that forms part of the Rough Sleeping Strategy.
Kelly Tolhurst, minister for rough sleeping and housing, said: “Young adults leaving care need firm foundations on which to build a stable home for themselves, and to help support them [to] start their adult lives confidently so they can fulfil their potential.
“The guidance I’ve published today will help key services ensure care leavers get the housing support they need [and] is another mark of the government’s resolute commitment of helping vulnerable people.”
Children’s minister Vicky Ford said: “This new guidance will directly support care leavers to live independently and prevent them becoming homeless – building on the excellent work many councils are already doing for young people in care.
“Everyone has a responsibility – government, businesses, universities and local authorities alike – to support care leavers at this critical time in their life.”
