Joint Housing Protocol

Ste enage BOROUGH COUNCIL

JOINT HOUSING PROTOCOL FOR HOMELESS 16/17 YEAR OLDS, CARE LEAVERS, AND INTENTIONALY HOMELESS FAMILIES IN HERTFORDSHIRE

PUBLICATION SCHEDULE NUMBER: CSF3989

PUBLICATION DATE: MAY 2010 Issue No. 3

AUTHOR OF PUBLICATION: Lin Phillips

REVIEW DATE:

- 1 - DRAFT PUBLISHED BY: Children, Schools and Families

Contents Page 1. Signatories to the Joint Housing Protocol 4 - 5 2. Introduction 6 - 7 2.1 The statutory framework for working together. 7 3. Vision 8 4. Aims and objectives 8 5. Principles and values of the integrated children’s system 9 5.1 Integrated children’s system 5.2 ICS principles and values 6. Groups covered by this Protocol 10 – 27 6.1 Young people under the age of 16 years old 10 6.2 Young people of 16 or 17 years old who are already looked 10 -11 after 6.3 Homeless relevant young people aged 16 or 17, and homeless 11 former relevant (18-21 year old, or up to 24, if in higher 11 - 12 education) 6.4 Homeless young people age 16 or 17 years old and those at 12 - 13 risk of homelessness. 13 6.4.1 Young people presenting to a local housing authority 14 6.4.2 Funding of temporary accommodation 6.4.3 Flowchart for 16/17 homeless young person presenting 15 to a housing department 15 6.4.4 Young People presenting directly to HYHG 15 16 6.4.5 Young people presenting directly to CSF 16 6.4.6 Referral to CSF for assessment of need 16 - 18 6.4.7 Homeless young people from another area 6.4.8 Assessment and accommodation under s.20 of the 18 Children Act 1989 18 - 19 6.4.9 Challenges to the s.20 decision 19 - 20 6.4.10 Access to suitable accommodation under s.20 20 6.4.11 Access to housing provision via the local housing authority 20 - 21 6.4.12 Provision and funding of support by Supporting People/ 21 Adult Care Services funding 6.4.13 Exceptions to the s.20 criteria 22 6.4.14 Implications for a young person being looked after and entitlement to leaving care services 22 6.5 Young people aged 16 and 17 who are living independently 22 - 23 and who are deemed intentionally homeless. 6.6 Homeless couples where a partner is 16 or 17 years old. 23 6.7 Couples where both young people are homeless and 16/17 years old. 23 6.8 Care leavers aged 16 or 17 years old – access to move-on 23 - 24 accommodation at 18. 24 6.8.1 Summary of actions required by CSF worker 24 - 25 6.8.2 Housing application process 25 6.8.3 Originating housing authority 25 6.8.4 Information required with housing application forms 26 6.8.5 Database 26 - 2 - DRAFT 6.8.6 Housing register renewals 26 - 27 6.8.7 Ready for accommodation 27 - 28 6.8.8 Support in independent accommodation 29 6.9 Intentionally homeless families with children. 6.10 Young people released from custody 6.10.1 Young people known to YOT who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. 29 7. Participating Agencies 29 – 30 7.1 Children, Schools and Families 30 7.1.1 The Independence Support Service 30 7.1.2 The Central Placements Service 30 - 31 7.2 Youth Connexions Service 31 7.3 District and Borough Councils 31 7.4 Herts Young Homeless Group 32 7.5 Supported housing providers 32 7.6 Youth Justice Service 32 7.7 Supporting People/Adult Care Services 8. Common Assessment Framework and Homelessness 33 8.1 Child protection concerns 33 8.2 Thresholds – meeting the needs of children and families in 33 - 35 Herts 36 8.3 Integrated practice flow chart

9. Joint Housing Protocol Steering Group 37 9.1 Objectives 37 9.2 Functions 37 9.3 Resolution of disputes 37 9.4 Diagram of reporting lines for the joint housing protocol 38 10. Complaints / appeals 39 11. Quality assurance 39 12. Equality and diversity 39 13. Consent of service user for information to be shared 39 APPENDIX A 40 - 41 Housing application procedure APPENDIX B 42– 44 Move-on form for local authority house APPENDIX C 45 Ethnic monitoring for move-on accommodation APPENDIX D 46 Agreed contacts in local authority housing departments APPENDIX E 47 – 55 Definitions and Children (leaving Care) Act 2000 categories of children and young people APPENDIX F 55 – 59 Contacts – in district and county councils + partners APPENDIX G 60 – 61 Housing and homelessness organisations APPENDIX H 62 – 68 List of Supported Housing Resources in Hertfordshire - 3 - DRAFT APPENDIX I 69 Levels of need

The Joint Housing Protocol has been signed off in 2010 by all the participating organisations detailed below:

Organisation Name Signature Children Schools and John Harris, Director Families

(Supporting People) Sarah Pickup? Adult Care Services Sue Darker?

North Herts District Andrew Godman, Head of Council Housing and Environmental Health

Three Rivers District Nyack Semelo-Shaw, Council Head of Housing Services

Watford Borough Council Maggie Challoner, Acting Head of Service

Hertsmere Borough Andrew Weaver, Head of Council Housing and Environmental Health

Herts Young Homeless Glenn Middleton, Chief Group Executive

Stevenage Borough Richard Protheroe, Head Council of Housing

- 4 - DRAFT Organisation Name Signature Youth Connexions Andrew Simmons, Deputy Service Director, Services for Young People

Borough of Broxbourne Stephen Tingley, Head of Housing Strategy

Youth Justice Service Tom Rees, Assistant Director, Youth Justice Service

St Albans District Council Karen Dragovic, Head of Housing

East Herts Council Tracey Strange, Head of Health and Housing Planning

Welwyn/Hatfield Council John Briggs, Head of Housing

Dacorum Borough Karen Tarbox, Acting Council Head of Housing

- 5 - DRAFT 2. INTRODUCTION

Being homeless can pose serious risks to young people and families. This protocol forms an agreement between the District and Borough Councils of Hertfordshire, Children, Schools and Families (CSF) service and the Youth Justice Service of Hertfordshire County Council, Youth Connexions, and Herts Young Homeless Group. The Protocol aims to ensure that by working together, agencies will prevent homelessness wherever possible and/or resolve the homelessness of young people, care leavers, and intentionally homeless families.

The Joint Housing Protocol has been developed in compliance with legislation and guidance which require Housing and Social Care Authorities to work together. It outlines the joint responsibilities of the signatories concerning the assessment of need and provision of accommodation services to homeless 16/17 year olds, care leavers aged 16- 21 (25 if in higher education), and intentionally homeless families.

Previous versions of this Joint Housing Protocol were based upon the revised Homelessness Code of Guidance for Housing Authorities, issued in 2002 and reissued in 2006 to take account of the Section 11 Children Act 2004 duty, as well as the responsibilities of children’s services to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in need as a core statutory function. Section 11 of the Children Act 2004 now requires Housing Authorities as one of the statutory partners to the Children’s Trust, to co-operate with arrangements established by the Children’s Services Authority to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

The Protocol is also informed by the guidance jointly issues by Communities and Local Government and the Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) (May 08) “Joint working between Housing and Children’s Services "Preventing homelessness and tackling its effects on children and young people". The guidance noted "the negative impact that homelessness can have on people's lives" and emphasises the need for joined up strategies, policies and procedures, including joint or co-ordinated assessment processes.

This latest issue (May 2010) has been revised in the light of the judgment in the House of Lords, (R (G) v Southwark LBC, May 09 and subsequent guidance jointly issued in April 2010 by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Communities and Local Government. The Judgment clarified that the the Children Act has primacy over the Housing Act in providing for children in need.

Both the Judgement and the Guidance emphasise the continuing duty of housing and children’s services to collaborate in the discharge of their duties to children and young people.

The Protocol has also been aligned to the arrangements for Integrated Practice (IP) and Common Assessment Framework (CAF). This document should be read in conjunction with CAF guidance.

Further details and guidance on Integrated Practice and the CAF can be found at www.hertsdirect.org/caf and/or http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk

- 6 - DRAFT 2.1 The statutory framework for working together

The following legislation emphasises the need for joint working between housing authorities, social services and other statutory, voluntary and private sector partners in tackling homeless more effectively.

 s.213, s.213A and s.170 of the Housing Act 1996;  s.1 of the Homelessness Act 2002;  Homelessness Code of Guidance for Local Authorities.  s.2 of the Local Government Act 2000;  s.27 of the Children Act 1989;  s.10, s.11 and s.13 of the Children Act 2004;  Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000  s.47 of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990;  s.27 and s.31 of the Health Act 1999.  Case law including M vs. LB Hammersmith and Fulham 08 and G v Southwark ’09.  Children in Care Custody Bill 2009  Draft Guidance and Regulations Planning Transitions to Adulthood - DCSF 2010.  Provision of Accommodation for 16 and 17 year old young people who may be homeless and/or require accommodation - DCSF/CLG, issued April 2010

In addition, the following legislation and guidance provides the wider framework for the work of the agencies party to this Protocol:

 Homelessness Act 2002  Homelessness Code of Guidance for Local Authorities  Children Act 1989  Children Act 2004  Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000  Human Rights Act 1998  Immigration and Asylum Act 1999  Criminal Justice Act 1991  Youth Justice Board National Standards  United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child  National Health Service & Community Care Act 1990  Data Protection Act 1998  Sex Discrimination Act 1975, 1979, and 1986  Race Relations Act 1976 and Amendment Act 2000  Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and 2005  Equalities Act 2006

- 7 - DRAFT 3. VISION

The vision of the Joint Housing Protocol is that by working together, agencies will provide an effective and coordinated service to prevent homelessness amongst young people, care leavers, and intentionally homeless families, and support these people into appropriate accommodation. It will enable young people to move towards independence and ensure that they are provided with comprehensive and co-coordinated services. The Protocol is based upon a common commitment to a partnership approach and collaborative working to ensure that children and young people achieve the 5 outcomes of the Every Child Matters agenda, i.e.

 Achieve economic well being  Enjoy and achieve  Be healthy  Stay safe  Make a positive contribution

NB: It is essential for all members to communicate clearly and in a timely way with colleagues, responding to requests for information and queries regarding referrals within the spirit of collaboration and co-operation.

4. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

By working together the participants to this protocol aim to:

 Enable children and young people to remain within their family wherever possible,  Provide young people with the care and support they need as individuals to achieve the best outcomes for them.  Treat young people with respect, security, care and understanding.  Ensure young people have the right to freedom from abuse, neglect and hardship.  Ensure young people have equal access to services, which meet their individual needs, whatever their race, gender, religion, disability, sexuality, opinion or family background.  Ensure young people have their needs met, including their needs for housing, support warmth, food, education and leisure.  Ensure that young people in care make a successful transition to independent living.  Ensure young people are aware of their responsibilities with regard to their behaviour to abide by the rules and regulations governing accommodation provided.  Ensure young people are not subjected to numerous assessment processes and that they do not have to negotiate their own way through the range of agencies.

- 8 - DRAFT

5. PRINCIPLES AND VALUES OF THE INTEGRATED CHILDREN’S SYSTEM (from CSF children in need/children looked after procedures, section 2.3.1 & .2)

5.1 The Integrated Children’s System (ICS) has replaced the Looking After Children: Good Outcomes (CLA) system which had been developed in parallel with the implementation of the Children Act 1989 as the main planning and review system for Children Looked After in England and Wales.

5.2 CLA and subsequently ICS incorporated the philosophy, principles and values of the Act in the following way:

 The welfare of the child is paramount.  There is a need for corporate parents to aim for standards equivalent to those of a well- in formed parent with adequate resources.  Corporate parents need formal systems to plan and record what good parents keep in mind.  Those with case responsibility must work in partnership with birth parents, current carers and relevant other professionals.  A child must be consulted and listened to as soon as they are old enough.  Each child is an individual with unique needs.  A child with a disability is first and foremost a child who has additional needs.  Contact with parents and extended family is to be encouraged and supported unless specific reasons or Court Orders justify not so doing.  A child has a right to be kept in touch with their birth family’s religious and cultural traditions either directly or indirectly.  The overall aim of looking after children away from home is to promote well-being and success, not just to prevent harm.  Whilst children looked after may have needs which are more difficult to meet that others’, outcome targets should not be set at a lower standard that those of their contemporaries.  Social workers should act on behalf of the child to organise resources.  ICS directs attention to the everyday experiences and actions needed on behalf of children to improve their prospects in adult life.  ICS must been perceived as a child-centred developmental way of working not an imposed bureaucratic system.  Assessment should take account of the perspectives of all those involved and pay particular attention to the wishes and feelings of the child.  Positive action is required by staff and carers to improve children’s health and educational performances so as to enable each individual to develop her/his potential.  Achievable objectives should be set for all aspects of a child’s development.  All plans should make clear who is responsible for what and by when.  Positive work is possible even in less than ideal circumstances.

- 9 - DRAFT 6. GROUPS COVERED BY THIS PROTOCOL

The Joint Housing Protocol applies to all the groups listed below. For each group there are specific statutory functions that apply, which each agency must abide by.

 Young people of 16 or 17 years old who are already ‘Children Looked After’.  Homeless relevant young people aged 16 or 17 and homeless former relevant.  Homeless young people age 16 or 17 years old and those at risk of homelessness and 18-21 year old care leavers (24, if in higher education).  Intentionally homeless 16 and 17 year olds.  Homeless couples where a partner is 16 or 17 Years Old.  Homeless couples where both young people are 16 or 17 years old.  Care leavers aged 16 or 17 – access to move-on independent accommodation.  Intentionally homeless families with children.  Young People aged 16 or 17 released from custody.

6.1 Young people under the age of 16 years old

All young people under the age of 16 years remain the exclusive responsibility of their parents, and if in need, of Children, Schools and Families. If a homeless young person under 16 approaches any one of the other signatories to the protocol, Children, Schools and Families should immediately be contacted so that CSF can undertake an urgent assessment.

6.2 Young People of 16 or 17 years old who are already ‘children looked after’.

This category refers to young people who are eligible and/or relevant care leavers under the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000. (see Section 14 for definitions)

Article 3(2) of the Homelessness (Priority Need for Accommodation) (England) order 2002 excludes from priority need, for the purposes of the homelessness legislation, a child aged 16 or 17 to whom children’s services owe a duty to accommodate under s.20.

The majority of Hertfordshire’s care leavers aged 16 to 21 (or 24 if in higher education) are managed by CSF’s Independence Support Service (ISS), which has responsibility for all care leavers, except young asylum seekers and disabled care leavers, who are provided for by specialist services.

Agencies must notify the Independence Support Service or the responsible area team of all 16 or 17 year old young people looked after who come into their agency presenting with homelessness issues.

It is the responsibility of the Independence Support Service to assess the young person’s readiness for independent living. The ISS will ensure that all of Hertfordshire care leavers are assisted to make an application to the housing register of their originating local authority (or with whom they have a local connection) as soon as possible after their 16th birthday. The ISS will contact the housing authority at least 6 months before the young person is 18, or when it has been agreed that independent housing will be needed, if later.

Where a young person has become looked after and is older than 17 ½, the application will be made as soon as possible. - 10 - DRAFT CSF and the housing authority will work together to make arrangements for the young person to be offered the most appropriate housing and ongoing support. The ISS will ensure that a comprehensive Pathway Plan is in place, and provide relevant information from the Plan, or a copy of the Plan where appropriate (with the consent of the young person), to the housing authority.

Where a young person leaving care is approaching 18 and will not have access to housing authority or housing association independent accommodation, a deposit and rent in advance for privately rented accommodation may be provided by CSF.

CSF may act as a guarantor for young people looked after, following an assessment of need and all other possible guarantors being explored and ruled out. Where necessary, Children, Schools and Families will meet the costs of the tenancy. The level of deposit and rent in advance will not exceed the Local Housing Allowance.

In situations where Children, Schools and Families act as a guarantor for 16 and 17 year olds, a new tenancy agreement should be produced when the young person reaches their 18th birthday, so that the liability and responsibility for the condition and the cost of the accommodation is transferred to the young person.

A young person leaving care who has been looked after by CSF outside Hertfordshire and has a local connection under the Housing Act with a housing authority within Hertfordshire will remain the responsibility of Herts CSF and their originating housing authority. (The young person may also make an application to another authority where they have a local connection.

6.3 Homeless relevant young people aged 16 or 17, and homeless former relevant care leavers (18-21 years old, or up to 24, if in higher education) (see definitions in section 14)

All agencies shall notify the Independence Support Service of any relevant, former relevant or qualifying young person who presents to their agency in respect of housing need, i.e. because they have subsequently become homeless. ISS will assess their current needs and provide appropriate support and advice, as well as accommodation if required.

Children, Schools and Families through ISS has a duty to allocate a leaving care personal adviser to all former relevant young people, to keep in touch and to provide advice and support defined in the young person’s pathway plan.

Children, Schools and Families has a duty to assess the needs of qualifying young people who request a service and to provide advice and assistance as appropriate.

6.4 Homeless young people age 16 or 17 years old and those at risk of homelessness

Supporting families to stay together and re-unification

It is in the best interests of most young people aged 16 or 17 to live in the family home, or, where this is not safe or appropriate, with responsible adults in their wider family and friends network. Local authority responses to 16 and 17 year olds seeking help because of

- 11 - DRAFT homelessness should explicitly recognise this and work pro-actively with young people and their families to identify and resolve the issues which have led to the homelessness crisis.

All agencies signed up to this Protocol will work together to support families and to prevent homelessness where possible. Please see section 8 re integrated working and use of the CAF.

6.4.1 Young people presenting to a local housing authority

The local housing authority will make enquiries into the young person’s immediate circumstances and take steps to prevent homelessness, by effecting reconciliation with their family where possible.

Where the initial approach or referral for housing assistance is made to housing services, the authority should treat the approach/referral as an application for assistance under Part 7 of the 1996 Act. The authority will therefore need to decide whether there is reason to believe the young person may be homeless or likely to become homeless within 28 days (section 184 of the1996 Act) and, if so, the authority will need to make inquiries to determine whether any duty is owed under Part 7 of the 1996 Act.

If there is reason to believe the young person may be eligible for assistance, may be homeless and may be 16 or 17 years of age, the authority will have an immediate duty to secure interim accommodation (section 188(1) of the 1996 Act) pending a decision whether any substantive duty is owed under Part 7. Such accommodation must be suitable for a 16 & 17 year old and, in considering suitability, authorities should bear in mind that 16 and 17 year olds who are homeless and estranged from their family will be particularly vulnerable and in need of support. The Secretary of State considers that Bed and Breakfast accommodation is unsuitable for 16 and 17 year olds.

The local housing authority will also refer the young person to Herts Young Homeless Group (see section 6.4.3) for emergency accommodation with Crashpad.

In addition, housing services should make an immediate referral to CSF for an assessment under the Children Act 1989.

The question whether any substantive duty is owed under Part 7 of the 1996 Act will depend in part on the outcome of the assessment by children’s services, and whether any duty is owed under section 20 of the 1989 Act. Housing services should continue to secure accommodation under section 188 (1) until they have notified the young person whether any substantive duty is owed under Part 7 of the 1996 Act.

CSF will undertake and complete an initial assessment as soon as possible and no later than the ten days set out in the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families. (See paragraphs 2.36- 2.40). Where children’s services have accepted that they have a duty under section 20 duty to provide accommodation and the 16 or 17 year old has accepted the accommodation, the young person will not be homeless and no further duty will be owed under Part 7 of the 1996 Act.

Upon receipt of the referral, CSF will provide a risk assessment (if any information is known to CSF) and details of any interim support package. HYHG will provide a prevention summary and their own initial assessment, if the young person has been to

- 12 - DRAFT them. Where the housing authority is unable to provide such emergency accommodation, the duty to provide emergency accommodation will remain with CSF.

It is acknowledged that emergency temporary accommodation does not provide an appropriate arrangement for young people for more than a very short period, pending an assessment by CSF. Therefore, CSF will take steps to find alternative suitable accommodation for the young person as a matter of urgency, as soon as the s.20 decision is made.

Bed and breakfast is not considered suitable for 16 and 17 year olds, even in an emergency, and every alternative will be sought. Young people aged 16 and 17 will only be placed by CSF in B&B accommodation when no other option is available, and only when authorised by the Head of Safeguarding or Head of Children Looked After. No B&B arrangement will last more that 6 weeks, and the Central Placement Service must be notified.

6.4.2 Funding of temporary accommodation and support:

When interim accommodation is provided under s.188(1) of the 1996 Act is provided, it is important that support is put in place to aid that young person with their benefits claims as soon as possible. Youth Connexions, the housing department, or HYHG can all assist the young person to claim their benefit entitlements, including JSA if appropriate.

Until the young person is looked after under s.20, their accommodation costs will be met by Housing Benefit. . If necessary, CSF could pay the young person a small weekly s17 payment, whilst their benefit claim is processed and in order to expedite the HB claim. The housing department or HYHG may request a top-up from CSF under s.17 if the actual cost exceeds the HB level. While the initial assessment is being undertaken by CSF, financial assistance to meet the young person’s other assessed needs will be provided by CSF under s.17, unless the young person is able to claim benefits.

Once a s.20 decision has been confirmed CSF is responsible for the young person’s financial support and benefit claims should cease, unless the young person is in receipt of disability or parenthood benefits. The local authority housing department will invoice CSF for subsequent housing costs until the young person has been placed elsewhere.

6.4.3 Flowchart for 16.17 homeless young person presenting to a housing department, Herts Young Homeless Group or Youth Connexions (see following page)

- 13 - DRAFT

16/17 homeless young person presenting to housing department or Youth Connexions

Actually homeless Threatened with homelessness

Refer to HYHG (or young person referring directly) Refer to HYHG

Complete CAF (or Prevention, SSR in emergency mediation, stay Emergency Crashpad Initial Support Prevention with friends or TA by LHA. Assessment / mediation family in interim (low /med Refer to CSF needs) Emergency accommodation (CSF) Continue Make referral support, refer to available on, or Close hostels CSF Assessment, including Family Group conference where appropriate

s.20 Criteria met s.20 Criteria not met Young person refuses s.20

Where Low/medium Higher needs S.17 assistance e.g. appropriate needs Assess ability to deposit + 1 month’s make decision rent Refer back to housing dept Place with Access to LHA Placement friends / family housing under s.20 provided by (CLA) CSF (s.20) Possible HYHG support - 14 - DRAFT 6.4.4 Young people presenting directly to Herts Young Homeless Group (HYHG)

Some young people will self-refer directly to HYHG. Capacity pending; HYHG will complete a CSF information gathering fax back form to be returned within hours by CSF, undertake a HYHG initial assessment to ascertain the situation and begin prevention work. HYHG will assess the circumstance of the young person, and provide Crashpad accommodation and support where appropriate and available.

HYHG will work with the young person and their immediate and extended family to prevent family breakdown. Where a young person is able to remain at home but parents/carers are in support of the young person moving to supported accommodation as a matter of choice, this work will be undertaken and will not need to be referred to CSF for assessment. Where possible, HYHG will arrange for the young person to stay with family pending the availability of supported accommodation. If the young person does not wish to be looked after, HYHG may refer to the relevant housing department.

HYHG will follow the CAF process, working with other agencies involved to support Integrated practice. Where additional support needs are identified, this may include calling a team around the child (TAC) where appropriate. If the young person’s situation remains unresolved, HYHG will refer to CSF for an Initial Assessment under the Children Act, sending a CAF or SSR and HYHG Initial Assessment / Prevention Summary form.

In an emergency, HYHG will send either a HYHG initial assessment and a Single Service Request form (SSRF) and/or a Prevention Summary form as available depending on time constraints) NB – CSF Customer Services now requires a CAF in most circumstances.

Where the young person has less than 20 weeks before their 18th birthday, HYHG will refer immediately to CSF, so that should the young person meet the s.20 criteria, their entitlement to leaving care support is not prejudiced.

Where appropriate HYHG will also make an early tentative referral to local hostels managed by RSL’s in anticipation of CSF making a decision about s.20, in order to reduce the delay in the young person accessing this accommodation caused by waiting lists. The young person may take up this option if not accommodated under s.20, or under s.20 if the assessment determines that this type of provision would best meet their needs.

6.4.5 Young people presenting directly to CSF

Some young people will present directly to CSF. The following sections 6.4.6 to 6.4.12 will apply, wherever the young person has first presented.

6.4.6 Referrals to CSF for assessment of need

Referrals may be made to the Customer Services Centre in writing, by telephone (0300 123 4043), fax (01428 737402), or by email to:

[email protected]

The receiving team should acknowledge the referral within 24 hours. (If no response, please chase). - 15 - DRAFT

Children’s services have a responsibility to assess the needs of young people living within their area, who appear to be children in need.

The Children Act 1989 defines a child in need as a child:

 Who is unlikely to achieve or maintain, or to have the opportunity of achieving or maintaining, a reasonable standard of health or development without the provision of services under this section of the Act.  Whose health or development is likely to be significantly impaired, or further impaired, without the provision of such services.  Who is disabled.

6.4.7 Homeless young people from another area

Where a 16 or 17 year old who was living in one local authority area and moves to another local authority area and seeks assistance from children’s services in that local authority, the duty to assess falls on the authority from which they seek assistance. The authority cannot refuse to consider the young person’s immediate needs and expect them to return to the authority in the area presumed to be their “home” district.

6.4.8 Assessment and accommodation under s.20 of the Children Act 1989

Where a 16 or 17 year old seeks help from local authority children’s services or is referred to children’s services by some other person or agency (including housing services) as appearing to be homeless or at risk of homelessness, or they are an unaccompanied asylum seeker without a parent or guardian with responsibility for their care, th en children’s services must assess whether the young person is a child in need, and determine whether any duty is owed under section 20 of the 1989 Act to provide the young person with accommodation.

A 16 or 17 year old young person is deemed to be in need of s.20 accommodation if:

1. the applicant is a child 2. the child is a child in need 3. the child is within the local authority area 4. he/she appears to the Local Authority to require accommodation 5. that need is as a result of the conditions of s.20 as a result of there being no person with parental responsibility for him, or because he is lost or abandoned, or because the person who has been caring for him is prevented for whatever reason from providing suitable accommodation or care. (Southwark 09: a child who has been excluded from the family home is a child whose carer is prevented from providing suitable accommodation.) 6. the child’s wishes and feelings regarding the provision of accommodation have been ascertained 7. consideration (having regards to the child’s age and understanding) is duly given to those wishes and feelings.

In the above circumstances, CSF shall provide accommodation under Section 20 (1) of the Children Act 1989.

- 16 - DRAFT Where a 16 or 17 year old seeks help or is referred, and it appears he or she has nowhere safe to stay that night, then children’s services must secure suitable emergency accommodation for them. This will mean that the young person will become looked after (under section 20 (1)) whilst their needs, including their need for continuing accommodation and support, are further assessed. Bed and breakfast accommodation is not considered suitable for 16 and 17 year olds even on an emergency accommodation basis. Where the young person is accommodated under section 20 they will not be eligible for welfare benefits, including housing benefit1 and children’s services will have a duty to maintain them (including meeting the cost of accommodation). Every local authority children’s services shall provide accommodation for any child in need within their area who has reached aged 16 and whose welfare would be seriously prejudiced if they do not provide him with accommodation. (Section 20 (3) Children Act 1989)

A local authority children’s services may provide accommodation for any young person who has reached the age of 16 but is under 21 if they consider that to do so may safeguard and promote his welfare, even if their parent objects. (Section 20 (5)-(11) Children Act 1989)

The decision as to whether the young person is in need of accommodation under Section 20 can only be made by an assessment by the local children’s services.

CSF has a duty to offer whatever support and assistance is necessary to prevent family breakdown and/or to enable the young person to be cared for by his/her parents or extended family or friends. This duty may be carried out on behalf of CSF by commissioned agencies, i.e. Youth Connexions and HYHG.

Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 includes the power for Local Authorities to provide accommodation for families and children; the provision of accommodation in this way does not make a child looked after.

Before deciding which section of the Children Act 1989 provides the appropriate legal basis for provision of help or support to a child in need, a Local Authority Children’s Services should undertake an assessment in accordance with the statutory guidance set out in the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families. It should then use the findings of that assessment, which will include taking account of the wishes and feelings of the child (as required by s.20(6)of the Children Act), as the basis for any decision about whether he should be provided with accommodation under s20 (and therefore become looked after) or whether other types of services provided under section 17 of the Act are better suited to his circumstances. (see exceptions, 6.4.13 ).

CSF will undertake an initial assessment to establish the above within 10 working days. Where the needs of the young person indicate, the assessing social worker should alert CPS to make an early tentative referral to the local supported housing hostel, which may be taken up whether or not the young person meets the s.20 criteria. (HYHG may already have initiated this – CSF to check).

Where the assessment by CSF indicates that the young person meets the s.20 criteria, a decision will be made by either the Head of Safeguarding or the Head of Children Looked After, based on the information gathered through the assessment process. The young

1 - 17 - DRAFT person will become looked after at the point that CSF determines the young person needs accommodation (including emergency accommodation) under section 20.

The young person will become a qualifying child under the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000, when they have been looked after for 24 hours.

NB: Where the local housing authority has been providing interim accommodation pending assessment of the young person, once the initial assessment by CSF is complete and it has been determined whether the young person will be accommodated section 20, CSF will notify housing services immediately, in order to assist in clarifying whether there is any duty under the 1996 Housing Act. Where accommodation is to be provided under s.20, arrangements for the move to a new placement should be made as quickly as possible. In some cases a referral will be made for housing provision accessed by the local housing authority, see 6.4.10 below.

However, if the young person was placed in Crashpad accommodation or was able to stay with friends or family pending the assessment, they will only become looked after when a suitable s.20 placement has been identified and they actually move into the placement.

6.4.9 Challenges to the s.20 decision

While the responsibility for making the decision about whether the young person meets the s.20 criteria is that of children’s services, there are occasions when the decision is challenged by the housing department. In these circumstances, the housing department should present its reasons (preferably in writing) to the manager of the assessing team in CSF. That manager will consider whether there is any need to review the decision reached in the light of new information, and will communicate this, and the outcome of the review, to the housing department, so that the responsibilities under the Housing Act 1996 may in turn be clarified.

NB The DCSF/CLG guidance recommends that arrangements for joint assessments be put in place, and this is an area for development in Hertfordshire which should assist in reducing disputes about these decisions.

6.4.10 Access to suitable accommodation under s.20

Once it has been decided that the s.20 criteria has been met, the allocated case worker will make an immediate referral to the Central Placements team to identify and provide a placement suitable to meet the needs of that young person. All relevant information, including a risk assessment and any information from HYHG will be provided via the Central Placement Service (CPS) on a placement referral form. Where appropriate and in order to reduce delay, an early referral should be made to local supported housing services by the CSF assessment worker, unless HYHG has already done this, and CPS informed.

The allocated social worker and CPS will determine how the accommodation needs of the young person should best be met. The CPS will consider a range of resources, both in- house and external, e.g. supported lodgings, residential or foster care, semi-independent living with support, hostel or other accommodation managed by local authority or RSL providers, according to the assessed needs of that young person and taking into account information provided by partner agencies gathered in the course of the assessment process. - 18 - DRAFT

The placement planning process should involve an exchange of appropriate information gathered during assessment process, so that the accommodation provider has a full understanding of the young person’s needs and their role in meeting these needs

Children’s services must only provide children with supported accommodation which is suitable and of high quality. A range of different types of accommodation may provide suitable accommodation for 16 and 17 year olds who cannot live with their families, carers or guardians. In order for services to work well it is important that children’s services work closely with housing services to ensure that a range of suitable supported accommodation placements are available for young people in their area, whether or not they are looked after children.

CSF will listen to the wishes and feelings of the young person, and of their parents, and to take these into consideration. The placement identified will depend also on the availability of accommodation provision in some areas, and it is not always possible to provide accommodation in the area preferred by the young person. CSF will provide information to the young person and their parents about the consequences of being a looked after child; a leaflet has been prepared for this purpose.

CSF will work with the young person and their parents to develop a holistic care plan attending to the full range of their needs, including plans for their education, employment or training, and for their health needs to be met. It may be that alternative plans will need to be agreed if they will be looked after in a new location. At all times, the possibility of supporting the young person to return home will remain an option to be reviewed and supported if viable.

CSF will always seek to place a young person in or near their originating authority, and/or where their family resides, in order to maintain their family and local connections, and support network, unless this would not be in the young person’s interests. Given the shortage of placements this is not always possible and an interim arrangement may have to be offered elsewhere.

6.4.11 Access to housing provision via the local housing authority

Section 27 of the Children Act allows the local authority children’s service to request assistance of another authority, including a local housing authority, and states that an authority whose help is so requested shall comply with the request if it is compatible with their own statutory or other duties and obligations and does not unduly prejudice the discharge of any of their functions.

Children’s services may for example ask a local housing authority to make a certain amount of suitable accommodation available for them to use in discharging their responsibility to accommodate children under s.20.

Where the assessment indicates that a young person who is to be accommodated under S.20 has low to medium support needs (see Appendix I), CPS will contact the originating housing authority of that young person to request housing to which they have access from a registered social landlord, CPS will provide all information required via the CPS placement referral form along with a risk assessment and a copy of the Initial Assessment. Information should include details of any support package to be provided to the young person. CSF will confirm that the young person is accommodated under s.20 and that they - 19 - DRAFT will be supported in the accommodation by CSF. If this referral is accepted and suitable accommodation provided by the RSL, the rental costs will be invoiced to CSF. CSF may act as guarantor or hold the tenancy in trust, as per the agreed arrangement with that particular local housing authority, until the young person reaches the age of 18. (Individual local procedures are in the process of being agreed.)

Once a young person is accommodated under s.20, CSF will assist the young person to make an urgent application to the housing register to accumulate ‘waiting time’ points, as well as for acceptance as in priority need as a care leaver at 18. (see Section 6.8).

Where a young person meets the s.20 criteria but has less than 13 weeks to their 18th birthday, they will not become a former relevant child under the definitions of the Children (Leaving Care) Act, and would be unlikely to be considered as a priority for local authority housing unless they are seen to be particularly vulnerable as a result of being looked after. CSF may assist them to access housing in the private sector, e.g. with a deposit and first month’s rent, so long as the rent is within the local housing allowance for that area.

6.4.12 Provision and funding of support by Supporting People/Adult Care Services

In Hertfordshire, the following arrangements have been agreed for the funding of the support costs of young people aged 16+ who are looked after and placed in housing provided via the local housing authority: a) for young people who were looked after prior to their 16th birthday and move into supported housing under the age of 18, the cost of the support funded by Supporting People (from June 2010, Adult Care Services Community Commissioning Unit) will continue to be recharged to CSF. b) for young people who become looked after following their 16th birthday, i.e. those who would previously have been housed under the homelessness legislation and therefore eligible to Supporting People housing support as vulnerable people, the support costs will be born by Supporting People/Adult Care Services and no recharge will be made to CSF. CSF will gather data for a quarter to determine the proportion of these two cohorts, and the charging arrangements will be reviewed at that point.

From the age of 18 both groups qualify for Supporting People housing support funding.

6.4.13 Exceptions to the s.20 criteria:

A homeless 16 or 17 your old does not require accommodation under s.20 under the following circumstances;

a) “where the child does have a home to go to, whether on his own or with a family or friend, but needs help in getting there, getting into it or in having it made habitable or safe. Such a child simply needs “help with accommodation” rather than needing accommodation. In that A had been ‘sofa surfing’ since the eviction by his mother, he clearly did not come within this category of child. b) A child who has been living wholly independently for some time with a job and somewhere to live and then becomes homeless. His case would not fall within the criteria set out in s.20. Accordingly he would come within the 2002 Order and be in ‘priority need’ under the Housing Act 1996. c) Section 20(6) requires a local authority to ascertain and give due weight to a child’s wishes and feelings before providing him with accommodation under s.20. If a - 20 - DRAFT competent, homeless 16 or 17 year old refuses to be accommodated under s.20 that status cannot be forced upon him: accordingly he would be a child with a ‘priority need under the 2002 Order.”

Guidance: It will be a matter for CSF to assess whether the young person has actually been living independently. A young person who had been sofa surfing should not be considered to be living independently.

It is possible that a duty under s.17 may arise in the instance of a young person who has been living independently, but has lost this accommodation in circumstances which would be likely to deem him/her Intentionally Homeless. Where a local housing authority believes a young person to be eligible, homeless and in priority need, the young person may make an application under S188 of the Homelessness Order 2002, and be provided with temporary accommodation whilst enquiries are being made. A young person who has been deemed Intentionally Homeless may well be a child in need and be referred to CSF to assess his or her needs as such.

Guidance in relation to c) above: Homeless Young People who do not consent to be accommodated under s.20 – the young people’s competence to make such a decision must be evaluated. It is recommended that CSF and HYHG meet with the young person and their parents/carers to ensure they have been provided with the information on which to make an informed decision. (CSF has produced an explanatory leaflet for young people, which can provide useful information for parents too.)

CSF may assist the young person to meet their other assessed needs under s.17.

Housing services are reminded that applicants cannot be considered to have become homeless intentionally because of failing to take up an offer of accommodation; homelessness is only capable of being ‘intentional’ where the applicant has ceased to occupy accommodation that it would have been reasonable for him or her to continue to occupy.

Where a 16 or 17 year old is secured accommodation under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996, children’s services should work closely with housing services to ensure that the young person is provided with sufficient support to ensure he or she does not become homeless intentionally in the future, for example, as a result of accruing rent arrears or being evicted due to bad behaviour.

6.4.14 Implications for a young person being looked after and their leaving care entitlement

A young person who is looked after under S.20 for at least 24 hours becomes a qualifying child in the first instance under the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000, and then after 13 weeks they have a full entitlement as eligible, or relevant, and subsequently former relevant young people. Therefore leaving and aftercare duties arise and the CSF remain responsible for supporting the young person to 21 and 25 if in higher education. In addition, former relevant young people are accepted as a priority for local authority housing, as they turn 18. (See section.6.8). Qualifying young people may also be deemed to be in priority need if they are considered more vulnerable than other young people in this category. 6.5 Young people aged 16 and 17 who are living independently and who are deemed Intentionally Homeless - 21 - DRAFT

All steps must be taken collectively to prevent a young person becoming intentionally homeless in the first place. Where this is not possible, all cases of intentionality homeless applicants should be advised of their right to Review to ensure that the applicant is given the opportunity to state their case.

Where a housing authority finds or is likely to find a 16/17-year-old who is living independently intentionally homeless, the authority will refer to HYHG to assess the young person’s needs, and seek to identify alternative provision for the young person. The local authority housing authority will also inform CSF via a CAF/SSRF.

In most cases, a decision of Intentional Homelessness under the Housing Act will lead to an assessment of ‘in need’ under the Children Act, unless the intervention by HYHG resolves the young person’s accommodation and support needs.

The decision of Intentional Homelessness will be affected by reasons for intentionality; including the age and maturity of the young person. In cases where the young person has been violent or caused extreme anti-social behaviour within temporary accommodation, the period of notice could be less than 28 days.

CSF will undertake an assessment of the young person’s needs including their need for accommodation, and provide services to meet the need as appropriate under s.17 or s.20. The assessment should include a consideration of whether the young person had been living in accommodation not provided under s.20 of the Children Act, in line with pre- Southwark practice, and whether it could be argued that this accommodation and support did not in fact meet their needs.

It is important that CSF, the housing authority and other agencies e.g. HYHG and YOT, work closely throughout this process, sharing information and collaborating to secure appropriate resources for the young person.

6.6 Homeless couples where a partner is 16 or 17 Years old

The needs of 16 and 17 year olds’ for accommodation under s.20 should be assessed in the context of their relationship with any “partner”. In some cases it may be appropriate for a 16 or 17 year old to be accommodated in a situation where they can live with their partner. This should not prevent local authorities from accommodating a 16 or 17 year old under section 20 where the young person is owed a duty under this section. Specific consideration should be given to placement options for young people accommodated under section 20 whilst living with a partner. For example, placement in an alternative arrangement such as a self contained property with visiting support may be appropriate. It will also be important to have contingency plans in place in case relationships break down.

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6.7 Couples where both young people are homeless and 16/17 years of age

CSF has a duty to assess the needs of a child in need, taking into consideration all of their circumstances. Normally a young person in need of accommodation will be accommodated in their own right, while taking into consideration their need to maintain links with family, friends and partners.

However, where two young people present as an established couple and wishing to remain together, for instance if one of the young people is pregnant or has a child, the assessment will take into account their rights to family life under the Human Rights Act, as well as the needs of the child or unborn baby to establish or maintain a real relationship with both parents. This may result in an exceptional arrangement for both young people to be looked after together.

6.8 Care Leavers aged 16 & 17 – access to move-on independent accommodation at 18.

CSF and the 10 District and Borough Councils of Hertfordshire have agreed the following Housing Needs Register application procedure to ensure that young people leaving care at 18 are accepted as a priority for local authority housing . It aims to improve the process of placing looked after young people and/or care leavers onto their originating local authority housing needs register (HNR) and to help plan for their future accommodation needs.

The procedure enables young people to move to independent accommodation in a planned way, and avoids the use of temporary accommodation. Housing departments require sufficient information to properly assess a young person’s needs, including all relevant history and any relevant risk factors that may affect decision about the location or the type of suitable accommodation.

6.8.1 Summary of actions required by CSF worker:

1) Social worker/personal advisor to complete housing application form with young person at approx aged 16 years

2) Collect proof of ID and address from young person

3) Send form, proof of ID, address (photocopies acceptable) and supporting letter to Accommodation Manager

4) When young person is ready for independent accommodation, social worker/personal advisor to complete move on form and attach pathway plan and risk assessment. Send to the Accommodation Manager, Independence Support Service.

5) All housing application forms for young people will need to be sent for checking and advice first to the Accommodation Manager, ISS.

6.8.2 Housing application process

All care leavers aged 16 or 17 who are either eligible or relevant children (either looked after now or have been looked after for at least 13 weeks since the age of 14 and for at - 23 - DRAFT least a day beyond their 16th birthday), must be placed on their originating and host local authority’s Housing Needs Register (HNR). Care leavers who are qualifying children should also be placed onto the HNR but they may not be granted any additional priority points/band.

Every effort should be made to assist the young person is to be placed on the register as soon after their 16th Birthday as possible – the target being within 3 months. Once on the register they will be granted care leaver priority need status by the District/Borough Council once ready for independent accommodation. Where the young person is first accommodated well after the age of 16 it will be important to begin this process without delay, alerting the relevant housing department on an urgent basis.

NB: Young people may only apply to East Herts District Council when they have reached 17 years of age. Please contact the Accommodation Manager for advice as the East Herts housing department will still need to be notified.

6.8.3 Originating housing authority and local connection

A care leaver will generally only be given priority by a local authority housing department for Social Housing if they have a local connection within that area.

Where a ‘looked after’ young person is placed in accommodation by CSF (i.e. residential accommodation, foster placement, supported lodgings, semi-independent accommodation) in an area other than the housing department area where they wre living when they became accommodated, they may not have a local connection in that new area, within the duties laid down by the Housing Act 1996, Homelessness Act 2002 and the Code of Guidance.

A local connection may be created by family members living in a given area, but the housing authority may not award priority status. Family members are defined as immediate family, i.e. parents or siblings.

Local housing authorities may in special circumstances take into consideration other support networks e.g., grandparents, step-parents, grandchildren, aunts or uncles, if the family members have lived in the area for 5 years or more. They may also consider any specialist health care needs or religious needs.

A young person who has gained permanent full time (16 hours or more) employment has a local connection with that area.

The ISS Accommodation Manager will liaise with the relevant housing manager about any exceptional circumstances.

6.8.4 Information required with housing application forms

The following information must be sent to the Accommodation Manager with the housing application included, as the form cannot be processed without them: a) 2 Forms of Identification. This can include a birth certificate, driving license, passport, work ID card, HM forces ID card with photo, EU ID card, proof of age card with photo, approved immigration status documents. - 24 - DRAFT

NB – Dacorum Borough Council needs a passport photograph attached to application form and Proof of National Insurance number. b) 2 Proof of Residence in Local Housing Authorities Area. This can include utility bills, (Gas, Electric, Telephone, Water, Council Tax) mobile phone bills, bank/credit card statement, driving license (unless already used for ID) c) Supporting Letter. A letter from CSF must be included with the form confirming the young person’s legal care leaver status i.e. Relevant, Eligible, Former Relevant as per the Children’s Act 1989 amended by the Leaving Care Act 2000. This is required to confirm to the housing department that the young person should be considered in priority need as per the Housing Act 1989, as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002. It is also important to confirm that a young person had a previous local connection by virtue of living in the area before being looked after. – See Standard letter which can be adapted for young person depending on young person’s age and leaving care status. (SEE APPENDIX A)

Please note that this letter can also be used as a form of identification for a young person.

All care leavers aged between 18 -21 and up to 24 years (if in Full Time Education) will be awarded priority as if homeless. If aged over 21 and not in Full Time Education they may be assisted by the housing department if deemed to be vulnerable as a result of having been looked after.

Applications on behalf of care leavers over 21 years should state that they are no longer a former relevant child.

Once the form has been received by the Accommodation Manager, it will be processed and checked for all documentation, recorded on the ISS database of care leavers housing registrations, and sent to the relevant Housing department.

6.8.5 Database

The Accommodation Manager will maintain a database in order to track the progress of all young people applying to join the housing register. The Accommodation Manager will then check that the young person is placed on the register and note the renewal date.

The database will be used to assist local housing authority to plan accommodation required annually.

6.8.6 Housing register renewals

The majority of local authorities housing departments’ require an applicant to re-register on the anniversary (yearly) of applying for housing. Generally a reminder letter is sent by the local housing authority to the applicant. If the applicant fails to re-register, their application is cancelled. To avoid this, the Accommodation Manager will liaise with the nominated contact in the housing department, to record the date of the re-registration. The Accommodation Manager will send a reminder to the young person’s social worker regarding re-registration.

- 25 - DRAFT NB: If a young person changes address, they will need to complete a renewal/change of address form for their Local Authority. Social worker/PA will complete form and send it to the Local Authority.

6.8.7 Ready for accommodation

The Independence Support Service will assess the young persons ‘readiness’ for independent accommodation. If the young person is deemed to be ready, the Accommodation Manager will contact the housing department and advise that the young person will need accommodation within 6 months, i.e. at age approx 17 ½). This process can be delayed by agreement, depending upon the young person’s needs.

Care leavers aged 18-21 can be placed in HYHG Crashpad if suitable, while more permanent accommodation is sourced. This will be by agreement between the ISS Accommodation Manager and the Crashpad Manager.

A standard ‘move on form’ will be sent to the housing department which can be obtained from the Accommodation Manager (see Appendix B). At this stage any relevant information that has not previously been provided should be given to the housing department.

The young person’s application will then be made active and prioritised. If a young person is assessed as requiring supported accommodation (such as a Foyer, YMCA, Hightown Praetorian, Aldwyck etc), the worker should contact the ISS Accommodation Manager to check on the referral procedures.

It has been agreed that at this stage a copy of the Pathway Plan and risk assessment will be sent to the housing department alongside the ‘move on form’ confirming they are ready for accommodation. It is at this stage that the young person will receive their priority points/band.

A recent change in the allocation processes has now seen most housing departments in Hertfordshire operating a Choice Based Lettings system (CBL). This means that instead of a direct offer of accommodation from the HNR, the young person will ‘bid’ on available properties in order to receive an offer of accommodation.

Social Workers/Personal Advisors may be required to assist young people in the bidding process or in some cases bid on their behalf. (See ISS Accommodation Manager for more information)

6.8.8 Support in independent accommodation

Care leavers will continue to have the support of an allocated leaving care personal adviser from CSF up to the age of 21 (or 24 if in higher education). In addition, for care leavers with significant support needs, a referral may be made to Adult Care Services or to Herts Young Homeless Group for additional support with sustaining their tenancy and related issues. (Referral via Accommodation Manager.)

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6.9 Intentionally homeless families with children

Collaboration between housing authorities and CSF is vital to ensure that children do not slip through the net. All agencies may become involved earlier in the process if in the housing authority's view, this would prevent homelessness (and/or potential finding of intentional homelessness) or there are issues relating to the child’s safety.

It is important to remember that children of a family found to be intentionally homeless should be considered to be potentially “in need” under s.17 of the Children Act (1989) and an assessment of the child/children should accordingly be made by CSF pursuant to this section.

The housing authority will provide 28 days notice to CSF of the duty to provide temporary accommodation to intentionally homeless families with children coming to an end. NB: The family must be advised of this referral to CSF in advance. CSF should also be notified if the applicant has requested a review of the housing authority’s decision and this authority has agreed to extend the provision of temporary accommodation.

In the case of properties managed by Housing Associations, the HA will refer to CSF when they have been granted a Possession Order, with the prior consent of the tenant. In addition, families with a parent under 25 should be referred to HYHG for support as soon as it is recognised that they are having difficulties with their rent or tenancy. The local housing authority will consider providing temporary accommodation cases on a case by case basis, and the length of time may vary e.g. 28 days.

Plans by CSF to help the child(ren) shall follow their duty to facilitate the upbringing of children by their family. CSF will assess the needs of the children of the family and provide appropriate assistance where necessary to their parents to secure alternative accommodation. The housing authority will assist CSF in the discharge of this duty where this does not conflict with its discharged duties (under the Housing Act 1996) to the family or its general housing duties. This assistance may take the form of housing advice and information.

Children’s services authorities have the power to provide assistance under section 17 of the Children Act 1989 to children who need to be accommodated with their family, e.g. by providing assistance with the cost of a deposit or first month’s rent for a new tenancy.

6.10 Young People released from Custody (or from another institution e.g. hospital) The duty placed on local authorities by the Children Act 1989 to consider the needs of young people who leave custody was previously clarified by Local Authority Circular LAC (2004)26 “Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in custody”.

The circular is issued under Section 7 of the Local Authority Social Services Act (1970) the effect of which is that the local authority must comply with the circular unless circumstances indicate exceptional reasons which justify a variation.

The Southwark Judgment (May 09) clarified that the Children Act has primacy over the Homelessness Code of Guidance for local housing authorities, which defines a person who is vulnerable as a result of having been in custody or detention as having a priority

- 27 - DRAFT need for accommodation. Circular (LAC (2004026) details services in relation to children in need as follows:-

 Where a young person has been living at home and has been receiving services from the local authority under Part 3 of the Children Act 1989 immediately prior to entering custody, the local authority children’s services and youth offending team need to consider, as part of planning for the young person’s discharge from custody, what services the local authority will provide to the young person when he is discharged.  Where a young person has not been receiving services from a local authority children’s services immediately prior to entering custody, the local authority in which the Young Offender’s institution is located, will need to make a judgement about whether the young person is likely to be a child in need on release and will therefore need services provided by the local authority in whose area he will be living on discharge.  Where a looked after child who is the subject of a care order Children Act s31 enters custody the local authority has continuing responsibilities towards the young person’s welfare as a corporate parent.  Where a child who was previously accommodated uner s.20 enters custody, he does not remain a looked after child whilst in custody. However, any child who from the age of 14 is remanded into custody and was previously looked after for 13 weeks will on reaching their 16th birthday in custody, will become a relevant child. As that point the duty will fall to CSF to prepare a Needs Assessment and Pathway Plan.  If the young person does not become a relevant child during his/her detention, the local authority children’s services where he is to live on release must establish arrangements for his care on release, including carrying out an assessment of his needs and arranging for services, including accommodation if necessary. The young person may need to resume his s.20 status or, depending on his age he may be a relevant or former relevant care leaver. The decision will need to be informed by an assessment carried out by CSF.

In Hertfordshire, the YOT which is notified of a young person being released to their area will consider the need to refer the young person via CSF Client Services for an assessment of need under the Children Act.

Accommodation issues are identified at the Initial Sentence Planning Meeting. For young people who will have turned 18 whilst in prison, an immediate referral should be made to the Remand and Accommodation scheme to enable the scheme to visit the young person and carry our a full housing needs assessment so that applications to housing providers can be made prior to release. Where appropriate, the scheme will facilitate day release from prison/or arrange for housing providers to visit the prison in order to carry out a housing interview of application.

It is important the Remand and Accommodation Scheme is informed of any changes to the sentence plan, in particular any change in expected release date.

Where the young person will be 16 or 17 upon release, the Youth Offending Team (YOT) will refer the young person to CSF Client Services, 2 months before their discharge date, so that an assessment can be undertaken and a multi-agency plan can be agreed, including arrangements for the young person’s accommodation and support.

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Where this has not happened and the young person is presented to a housing authority or to HYHG, they should be immediately referred to Children, Schools and Families.

See further guidance and specific procedures in the Children in Need and Child Looked After Procedure Manual CSF4632, Section 9.16.7.

6.10.1 Young people known to YOT in the community who are homeless or at risk of homelessness

YOT will mediate with the young person and their family, and/or signpost to other partner agencies, e.g. Parentline Plus, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), Specialist Adolescent Team (SAT), Youth Connexions, or HYHG. If mediation has been exhausted, YOT will refer to CSF for assessment under the Children Act, and will continue to support the young person. For intentionally homeless young people, please see section 6.5 above.

YOT may refer some young people to their Remand and Accommodation scheme, (depending upon the CSF assessment of need as described in 6.9 above, which may establish a need to accommodate the young person under s.20). The criteria for this are:

a) young people receiving a custodial sentence who will be homeless on release (however, these young people, if under 18, will be entitled to be assessed by CSF against the s.20 criteria) b) young people serving a community penalty whose homelessness or risk of homelessness present a significant increase in the likelihood of further offending.

7. PARTICIPATING AGENCIES

The participating agencies to the Joint Housing Protocol are listed below. They agree that the majority of young people leave home as a result of crisis, abuse, family breakdown, or poverty and it is therefore usually unplanned. In order to improve outcomes for these young people, agencies will work together to provide them with appropriate services to prevent homelessness, and where appropriate, to provide access to suitable accommodation.

Below is brief description of each agency’s responsibilities as they apply to this protocol.

7.1 Children Schools, and Families

CSF as the Hertfordshire County Council Children’s Service has a duty to promote the welfare of children in need in this area including the provision of preventive services, and to assess need and ensure plans are in place for those assessed needs to be met.

CSF’s preventive functions may be carried out on their behalf by other agencies such as HYHG. However, an assessment of needs under the Children Act 1989, including those relating to homelessness, may only be carried out by a statutory children’s services authority. In CSF, assessments of homeless young people are carried out by the area Assessment teams.

There are three specialist posts of housing professional assistants in CSF, whose role covers the following: - 29 - DRAFT

 To support social workers in undertaking initial assessments of young people at risk of homelessness or actually homeless, and of intentionally homeless families, as per the Joint Housing Protocol.  To work with partner agencies to prevent and resolve homelessness issues and other needs identified by assessment.  To assist the allocated social worker in referring to the Head of Safeguarding or the Head of Children Looked After for a decision re s.20.  To request a suitable placement from the CSF Central Placements Service.  To assist in arranging for the young person to be placed and to become looked after.  To act as a specialist resource of advice and signposting for CSF colleagues across CSF teams, raising the profile of homelessness issues and resources.  To act as a resource for advice on the childcare perspective for colleagues in housing authorities and providers, (seeking advice on such issues from line manager as necessary)  To transfer cases to the Locality team or to the Specialist Adolescent teams for ongoing s.17 support where necessary, while continuing to provide specialist knowledge and advice.  To transfer cases of young people who become accommodated under s.20 to the Independence Support Service for leaving care support.

7.1.1 The Independence Support Service

The Independence Support Service is a specialist leaving care service within Children, Schools and Families. The ISS will ensure that each care leaver has an allocated leaving care personal adviser, who will keep in touch with them, prepare a pathway plan with them, and support them in all areas of their Pathway Plan, to facilitate the transition from being in care to independent living. In particular, ISS will assist the young person to make an application to the housing register of their originating housing authority, as detailed in Section 6.8.

All eligible or relevant young people are the responsibility of the local authority children’s service and must be provided with safe and appropriate accommodation, the costs of which will be paid for by the Local Authority until the young person has attained the age of 18 years.

7.1.2 Central Placements Service

The Central Placements Service (CPS) within CSF matches referrals of young people’s placement requests to suitable placements for children and young people, whether in- house or from external providers. The CPS commissions and monitors the use of external placements procured from private providers for safety, quality, and value for money. The CPS negotiates costs, receives invoices, and processes them for payment.

7.2 Youth Connexions Service

Youth Connexions works with partner agencies to deliver the full “Youth Offer” for young people. This includes access to the learner entitlement, impartial information, advice and guidance, targeted support for those with additional needs, access to positive activities, and opportunities to make a positive contribution. - 30 - DRAFT

Youth Connexions staff make comprehensive assessments of individual young people’s needs and help them to access the range of support they need to participate effectively in learning or work and to plan for their future. Assessments are made in line with county arrangements for integrated practice; where appropriate Youth Connexions staff will take on the role of the lead professional. They do not, however, make a full assessment of the accommodation and support needs of young people under the Children Act 1989.

All young people who present to, or are referred to Youth Connexions Hertfordshire have their immediate circumstances and needs assessed. Where a young person appears to have additional needs, a more detailed assessment is undertaken and their accommodation is included as part of this. This Youth Connexions assessment enables the worker to decide what package of support to provide and to which agency to refer the young person. Where it appears that a young person is homeless, the Youth Connexions worker will refer the young person to CSF for an assessment under the Children Act.

If the CSF assessment determines that the young person meets the criteria for accommodation under s.20 of the Children Act, all benefits to this young person must cease, with the exception of disability and lone parent benefits. The young person, if they choose, can still receive support from Youth Connexions for their employment and training needs. Their dedicated social worker/leaving care personal adviser will take responsibility for their care/pathway plan, including their accommodation arrangements.

7.3 District and Borough Councils

There are ten District and Borough Councils in Hertfordshire, whose housing and homelessness duties are set out in the Housing Act 1996, Homelessness Act 2002 and subsequent legislation and guidance. Under this guidance, the local housing authority has a duty to provide interim accommodation to a person who appears to be homeless, eligible, and in priority need.

The housing authorities functions may be carried out by a housing association acting as registered social landlord. However, the housing authority will remain responsible for the discharge of its duties under the relevant housing legislation, and in their assistance to CSF in the execution of its duties in relation to homeless young people under the Children Act 1989.

7.4 Herts Young Homeless Group

HYHG is an independent countywide charity enabling young people to secure and maintain appropriate accommodation through prevention, crisis intervention and tenancy sustainment. Prevention of homelessness is inherent to all the services that HYHG provides, and includes an Advice, Information and Mediation service, Crashpad, and a Young Offenders Service. HYHG works in conjunction with Aldwyck Housing Group to provide a Floating Support service. As part of HYHG’s prevention work, an Education and Service User involvement project is also provided.

Also within HYHG is an established health project (HHAH) which aims to promote health for homeless people of all ages. Specialist services include dual diagnosis support (mental health and substance misuse problems) and a network of counsellors across the county.

- 31 - DRAFT HYHG will initially conduct an independent assessment to identify the needs of a young person with the aim of preventing homelessness. N.B. The HYHG assessment will not constitute an assessment under the Children Act 1989.

7.5 Supported Housing providers

There are a number of supported housing providers, including Aldwyck Housing Association, YMCA, Paradigm, and Hightown Praetorian. They provide supported accommodation to which district and borough councils have most of the nomination rights to, subject to assessment, local connection and eligibility. In future, access to this provision may also be via CSF and by referral from its Central Placements Service, following a S20 decision being confirmed.

Supported Housing providers are responsible for ensuring that young people are supported so that they do not have to leave the accommodation in an unplanned manner. Every effort will be made to ensure that all appropriate action is taken to support young people to maintain their tenancy. They have a role in alerting CSF where a young person is at risk of losing their tenancy, so that additional support can be provided.

7.6 Youth Justice Service

Youth Offending Teams are responsible for the reduction of offending by children and young people. The service aims to reduce the level of first time offenders into the criminal justice system and to reduce recidivism. Evidence suggest that not having suitable, local accommodation is a causative factor in young offenders continuing to offend, failing to sustain education or find/keep employment and maintain relationships.

The YOT provides support to young people in custody and will work with those in CSF assessing needs to ensure that suitable support and local accommodation are available for a young person upon release, so as to avoid disruption to their rehabilitation plans.

7.7 Supporting People/Adult Care Services

Supporting People provides housing support services to give vulnerable people the opportunity to improve their quality of life through greater independence. Housing related support can prevent problems that may lead to homelessness and can help young people moving to independent living after leaving care. Housing related support includes:

 Advice and guidance on managing independent accommodation  Helping to develop life and social skills  Support in resolving or preventing debts  Guidance about safety and security in the home

- 32 - DRAFT 8. THE COMMON ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK (CAF) AND HOMELESSNESS

8.1. Principles: Earlier support, preventing escalation of needs:

The Common Assessment Framework is a process by which any practitioner can undertake an assessment of needs. It is a national tool developed by the Department of Children Schools and Families (DCSF) as a key part of the Every Child Matters Agenda where a CAF approach aims to prevent escalation of needs for children and families. CAF provides a way in which any practitioner can undertake an assessment of needs, and identify the right response to address assessed needs, taking into account holistic factors, including environmental support needs. An assessment might identify other practitioners who could provide additional support to prevent problematic situations happening, such as homelessness. The CAF process in Hertfordshire has in place ‘hand-holding’ support at a district level (via District Managers – Integrated Practice) and via free CAF training, which can be accessed and booked via: www.hertsdirect.org/iptraining

District Integrated Practice Managers are available at: District Managers (IP) Broxbourne & East Herts – 01992 556372 Dacorum & St Albans - 01442 453839 Stevenage & North Herts – 01438 843374 Watford & Three Rivers - 01442 453127 Welwyn Hatfield & Hertsmere - 01438 843032

If a young person is at risk of becoming homeless or intentionally homeless e.g. Non- payment of rent, or their behaviours might potentially threaten tenancy (early indications suggest as such), the Housing Officer should consider completing a CAF to see what actions could happen at an early stage to address the issues that might potentially threaten their tenancy/housing. This advice applies also to Youth Connexions and Herts Young Homeless Group staff.

Similarly, if there are concerns that a family may move towards a risk of becoming intentionally homeless (e.g. starting to find themselves in rent arrears or signs/evidence of anti-social behaviour), then early intervention (by way of a CAF or contacting and involving other services to reduce risk of arrears/anti-social behaviour) could address the emerging concerns and thereby prevent things escalating to the point of homelessness. The aim of the CAF is for everyone to take full responsibility for meeting needs, addressing issues at the earliest point.

8.2. Thresholds – Meeting the Needs of Children & Families in Hertfordshire

The principles for addressing the needs of young people/families and homelessness are underpinned by the agreed and adopted 2010 threshold document “Meeting the Needs of Children & Families”.

- 33 - DRAFT The Levels of Need within the Hertfordshire Thresholds are identified as:

Level 1 : Universal Children and families with emerging needs which can be met within universal services (such as: school, early years, health visitor, housing etc) The emerging needs may require additional involvement of a single service to prevent escalation of needs. A CAF may be beneficial in some circumstances and professional judgement is required, looking at how to achieve the best outcome for the emerging needs of the child or young person in question.

Level 2 : Targeted Children and families with additional or complex needs which can be met by involving targeted services, working alongside universal services. The needs may require the involvement of an additional service or may require a range of services and a multi- agency support plan by way of Common Assessment, Lead Professional and Team Around the Child (TAC).

CAF is required to conduct a holistic assessment of strengths and needs with children and families and to put in place a support plan. Working together with parents to address needs is important to improved outcomes for children and young people. Parent’s acknowledgement of concerns and acceptance of their part in the meeting their child’s needs is critical and, at times, this requires some open discussion with parents in order to progress targeted support.

Levels 3 & 4 : Specialist Children and young people with high complex needs, or where safeguarding can only be achieved by the involvement of specialist services. Various specialist services are within this category requiring specialist assessment (Level 3) or immediate intervention, including Accommodation (Level 4) due to:

 Disabled child requires specialist services (including short breaks) to prevent immediate risk of significant impairment which might directly affect child’s growth, development, physical or mental wellbeing OR to prevent the need for long term accommodation (Disabled Children’s Service)  Young people remanded into Care due to criminal activity (Youth Offending Service)  Evidence that child is suffering, or at risk of suffering significant harm (Social Care)  Reasonable cause to believe the child may be suffering, or at risk of suffering significant harm (Social Care)  Children experiencing significant harm who may need to be accommodated by the local authority either on a voluntary basis or by way of a court order (Social Care)  When a child or young person is at risk of imminent family breakdown or breakdown has already occurred (Social Care)  When a child may be Privately Fostered (Social Care)

The thresholds of needs/responses relevant for Housing needs have been agreed as: - 34 - DRAFT

Universal Services Targeted Services Specialist Services (e.g. Housing) (involving others – including (referral to social care) CAF)  Concern re: possibility  Rent arrears/financial  Homeless or of rent arrears difficulties put family at imminently so where (advice/ guidance risk of eviction (Advice CAF approach needed) from CAB or Money cannot resolve  Some financial Advice Unit) situation difficulties (give advice  Conflict within the  Home conditions are or signpost for advice community (involve dangerous or levels e.g. CAB) preventative services – of hygiene seriously  Emerging signs of e.g. Housing/Police) threatening health some community  Home conditions /and where conflict (give poor/where family wanting parents/carers not advice/guidance or to improve (CAF and accepting/acknowled involve community possible Personalised ging or addressing police or others as Commissioning to appropriate) concerns (Social purchase home items) Care)

If the CAF process has been followed and the young person still appears to be homeless, or the family intentionally homeless, the procedures outlined in 6.3 and 6.4 of this Protocol should be followed, with a referral to CSF Customer Services. Where a CAF is available, this should be used to support a referral. The Customer Services Centre will consider the referral and either refer to the Targeted Advice Service (TAS) or directly to the relevant assessment team.

- 35 - DRAFT

Integrated Practice flow chart Needs of the child/infant/young person

If you have any child protection concerns, follow LSCB guidelines

http://www.hertsdirect.org/caresupport/childfam/childprotection/acpc/procedures/

Single need No consent – Multi-agency need Continue working with family. Log refusal Discuss filling in a Use the Single with own agency Common Assessment Service Request (CAF) with child, form (with consent)* parent/carer. Receive If a CAF or registered to request service verbal consent to carry Team Around the Child from a single out CAF agency/service exists, contact the Lead Professional. If open to Social Care or Check with the CAF All services to consider Disabled Children Administrator whether usefully undertaking a Team, you must a CAF/Team CAF whilst working Around the Child with CYP/family (And contact the Allocated already exists or if replace their existing Worker and discuss assessment process using your involvement. family open to Social Social Care/DCT to lead Care or Disabled *Please refer to SSR & CAF guidance when case is open to http://www.hertsdirect.org/yrccouncil/ these services Children Team. hcc/csf/childrenstrust/integrated/ipprac (Unless/until you are If No current tice/completeCAF/ informed otherwise) involvements, log with Administrator your intention to complete a If no consent, record CAF with family District Managers (IP) this with both CAF Broxbourne & East Herts – 01992 Admin, and own 556372 agency Dacorum & St Albans - 01442 453839 Stop CAF process Complete CAF with Stevenage & North Herts – 01438 Advice available from child/young person and 843374 District Manager (IP) parent/carers full Watford & Three Rivers - 01442 involvement. Gain 453127 Use the MAT list to signed consent on CAF Welwyn Hatfield & Hertsmere - 01438 gain others advice and to share information 843032 bring agencies to Team Around the Child Multi agency needs Please send CAF, Action (TAC). Seek advice confirmed. Proceed Plan and Reviews to: first from specialist with TAC. Identify LP. services re: need for CAF Administrator attendance at TACs Client Services Action plan & review PO Box 153, Stevenage, Send copies to forms used as a tool/ Herts. - 36 CAF- Admin recording format DRAFT

9. JOINT HOUSING PROTOCOL STEERING GROUP

9. Joint housing protocol steering group

The Steering Group is a countywide group with representation from all member agencies to the Protocol. It oversees the implementation of the protocol.

Terms of reference (revised October 2009)

9.1 Objectives

The Steering Group oversees the implementation of the Hertfordshire Joint Housing Protocol, in its aim to work together to prevent homelessness for those vulnerable young people aged 16/17, care leavers and intentionally homeless families, and to meet the accommodation needs of these groups when they are homeless.

9.2 Functions

1. The Steering group will meet bi-monthly to steer the work guided by the protocol. 2. The Steering group will be chaired by an appointed member agreed by the group and, reviewed annually or sooner if needed. 3. The Steering group will direct and oversee the work of any sub-groups, i.e. the training sub-group receiving action plans and progress reports when requested. 4. Consider available data and trends regarding needs along with any legislative changes or new case law, and identify further areas of development or amendments to the Joint housing Protocol. 5. Direct and plan the implementation of this work, establishing and monitoring the required actions with clear timescales for completion. 6. Manage and resolve any issues or disputes between partners and stakeholders which may arise from time to time. 7. Ensure a coordinated approach is taken to all communication relating to the protocol. 8. The group reports to and relates to a number of multi-agency groups. See 9.4.

9.3 Resolution of disputes

Agencies will make contact with colleagues in partner agencies by telephone or email to highlight any difficulties or disagreements relating to individuals causes, or practices. It will be the responsibility of all managers of teams and services to respond to such alerts with a constructive dialogue, so as to clarify the position and to resolve disputes wherever possible.

Member agencies will where necessary meet on a case by case basis, so that there can be a sharing of information and a resolution negotiated. Unresolved disputes regarding individual cases or wider issues of practice will be escalated to the next senior line managers for their attention.

Unresolved issues and the learning from issues which have been successfully addressed may be reported to the next meeting of the Joint Housing Protocol Steering Group, for discussion and incorporation into the Protocol as appropriate.

- 37 - DRAFT 9.4

ASYP Group Links with Housing Groups/Forums in Hertfordshire

Supporting Heads of Housing People CSF Commissioning Body

Accommodation Services for Young People’s Partnership Group

Joint Housing Protocol Steering HYHG/Aldwyck Group/combining Partnership Steering meetings with Group Homelessness Prevention Liaison Group CSF Resource Panel (Panel allocated accommodation placement for care leavers)

- 38 - DRAFT 10. COMPLAINTS/APPEALS

Participating agencies have their own complaints procedure. Young people wishing to complain about services or appeal against decisions under this process should be advised to use the complaints procedure of the relevant agency.

11. QUALITY ASSURANCE

It is essential to build in quality assurance to this work to ensure that all agencies contribute to a high standard of practice thus ensuring that young people are matched with accommodation and support which best meets their needs. Where resources are not available to meet their assessed needs this must be recorded for collation by each agency. In this way, resources can be planned in the light of unmet needs.

In order to achieve and maintain this standard the quality of assessments must be measured. Assessing agencies will therefore either provide, or participate, in the following:

 Regular worker supervision  Joint training  Auditing of cases  Client feedback exercises  Service reviews  Monitoring  Evaluation

12. EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

When undertaking assessments and/or providing services to young people under this process, all agencies will do so within the remit of their own Equal Opportunities policy statement.

13. CONSENT OF SERVICE USER FOR INFORMATION TO BE SHARED.

Under the Data Protection Act 1998, the explicit and written consent of the service user should normally be obtained prior to sharing information, especially where sensitive or personal information is to be shared. There are exceptions relating to concerns around safeguarding, when information should be shared regardless; see recent publication by DSF, “Information Sharing Guidance for Practitioners and Managers” – (DCF 23.10.08)

39 DRAFT APPENDIX A

Housing application procedure

Supporting letter confirming care leaver status

Children, Schools and Families Housing Registrations Independence Support Service ……………. District Council Apsley 2, Housing Needs Brindley Way …………………….. Hemel Hempstead Herts Hertfordshire …………………. HP3 8BF

Tel 01442 454380

Date 2018 年 4 月 3 日星期二

Dear Sir/Madam

Re: NAME AND ADDRESS ( Please state name and address) AND DOB. 0.0.90 - application to join housing register by care leaver

I would like to refer ………………….. to you for inclusion on the housing register.

Legal status ………………………… is accommodated by Hertfordshire County Council under Section 20 of The Children Act 1989. She is also subject to the Leaving Care Act 2000.

Accommodation ……………….. came into local authority care on 29th June 2006 when she was fifteen years old due to family breakdown. Prior to this she lived with her father at …………………………….Address . On coming into care …….. was placed in various accommodation in and most recently in ………..place since date…... She is well settled and intends to remain living in ……………

Local connection …………………. was born in Hertfordshire and is a British Citizen. Our records confirm that she lived at ……. (address)…….. with her …….(father, mother) prior to coming into care.

Type of accommodation I would recommend a studio or one bed apartment for ………… when she is 18 in town…………….

Support package ………….. is well settled in her current placement and making steady progress towards living independently when she leaves care. …… is not currently in any form of employment or

40 DRAFT education. Arrangements are underway for …….. to make a claim for Job Seekers Allowance and Housing Benefit.

……………. will receive assistance until the age of 21 from Hertfordshire County Council, as part of her ‘leaving care’ support, with this possibly being extended to 24 if she continues in higher education beyond her 21st birthday. This support will include practical and, in some circumstances, financial assistance in maintaining any tenancy allocated to her. She is maturing into a responsible young woman who will be ready to live independently by the time she leaves care. Please would you add her to the housing register and our team will contact you at an appropriate time in the future to agree move on plans.

If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely

Social Worker Independence Support Service

41 DRAFT APPENDIX B

Move on form for local authority housing

This form should be completed when a young person is already on the Housing Register and needs independent accommodation within the next 6 Months. (i.e. approaching 17 and a half or is ready to live independently)

Please complete and forward onto the Accommodation Manager, Leaving Care Team, Children, Schools and Families, Herts County Council.

Remember to attach copy of the young person’s Pathway Plan and Risk Assessment.

Please make sure that you complete all sections of this form, if you do not it will delay the move on process.

Date of Birth

Current address

Is this accommodation (please circle) Parents/relatives Friends Lodgings Foster Care

Supported accommodation Semi Independent accommodation Supported Lodgings

Other (please state) ______

Do you they rent at this address? Yes/No If Yes, how much? £ Date moved to this address ______

Mobile number

Social Worker Name and Contact number

NI Number

Are you a UK Citizen? Yes/No

42 DRAFT Are they subject to immigration control? Yes/No

Would anyone else live with them?

Do they live with them now? Yes/No

If no, where?

Are they pregnant? Yes/No/Possibly

If yes, when is the baby due?

Involvement with Children’s Services or any other agency, please give details – state whether eligible/relevant/former relevant child.

Have they applied to a council or housing association for housing before? Yes/No If Yes, please advise

Why do they need to leave their current accommodation?

What date will they need to leave?

Do they have anywhere else to live? Yes/No If yes please give details

Important

We may share your details with other Local Authorities for the prevention and detection of fraud.

We may carry out a search with an agency to obtain information about where you have been living. These searches will be recorded but no other agency/company will be able to use them.

43 DRAFT

Declarations

PUBLIC SAFETY

In the interests of public safety we need to know whether any members of the household included have any criminal convictions.

If YES, please give details (date of conviction and offence):

Social Worker’s signature: Date:

44 DRAFT APPENDIX C – ethnic monitoring for move-on accommodation procedure ETHNIC MONITORING (tick boxes as appropriate) The Council’s policies are designed to ensure all applicants receive equal treatment regardless of their race, colour, ethnic or national origin. The information below is requested only to ensure that this is done and it will only be used by the Council and will not be given to any other organisation. To ensure the Council’s policies are met we need to know the following information. YOU YOUR PARTNER WHITE

British

Other White

White & Black Caribbean

White & Black African

White & Asian

Other Mixed

ASIAN or ASIAN BRITISH

Indian

Pakistani

Bangladeshi

Other Asian

BLACK OR BLACK BRITISH

Black Caribbean

Black African

Other Black

CHINESE OR OTHER ETHNIC GROUP

Chinese Other Ethnic Group

45 DRAFT Appendix D - agreed contacts in local authority housing departments

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council – Sian Chambers/Margaret Hargreaves Council Offices, Housing Needs, 51 Bridge Road East, Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL8 1JR Tel - 01707 357000 Stevenage Homes – Sukhdev Sidhu, Housing Partnership & Communications or Celia Lords, SHL Housing Needs, Daneshill House, Danestrete, Stevenage, Herts, SG1 1HN Tel - 01438 242666 North Herts District Council - Karen Freimanis Council Offices, Housing Needs, Gernon Road, Letchworth Garden City, Herts, SG6 3JF Tel - 01462 474000 Three Rivers District Council- Patsy Gilbert/Shireen Aboobaker Housing Allocations Team, Three Rivers House, Northway, Rickmansworth, Herts, WD3 1RL Tel – 01923 776611 Watford Borough Council – Terri Fountain/Laura Marland Housing Needs, Town Hall, Watford, Herts, WD17 3EX Tel – 01923 226400 St Albans City and District Council – Victoria Brett/Susan Hughes The District Council Offices, St Peters Street, St Albans, Herts, AL1 3JE Tel – 01727 866100 Dacorum Borough Council – Teresa Wood/Natasha Brathwaite Housing Services, Civic Centre, Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP1 1HH Tel - 01442 228000 Broxbourne Borough Council – Andrew Wilkes/Jo Rix/ Jennifer Mckenzie Housing Needs Section, Borough Offices, Bishops College, Churchgate, Cheshunt, Herts, EN8 9XD Tel – 01992 785505 East Herts District Council - Claire Bennett/Elizabeth Foy Housing Options Team, Housing and Community Planning, Wallfields, Pegs lane, Hertford, Herts, SG13 8EQ Tel – 01279 655261 Hertsmere Borough Council – Kim Harwood/Maggie Benson Elstree Way, Borehamwood, Herts, WD6 1WA Tel - 0208 207 7420

46 DRAFT APPENDIX E

Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 Categories of Children and Young People:

Children Act 1989  Children aged 16 or 17 Eligible Children who have been looked Schedule 2 Part II after for at least 13 weeks 19B(2) In sub paragraph (1) since the age of 14 and “eligible child” means, who are still looked-after. subject to subparagraph (3), a child who: (a) Is aged sixteen or seventeen; and (b) Has been looked after by a local authority for a prescribed period, or periods amounting in all to a prescribed period, which began after her reached a prescribed age and ended after her reached the age of 16. Children (Leaving Care) Regulations 2001 Regulation 3 (1) For the purposes of 19B(2) (b) of Schedule 2 to the Act, the prescribed period is 13 weeks and the prescribed age is 14. Relevant Children  Children aged 16 and 17 Children Act 1989 who have been looked 23A(2) in subsection (1) after for at least 13 weeks “relevant child” means (subject since the age of 14, and to subsection (3)) a child who: have been looked after at (a) Is not being looked after by some time while 16 or 17, any local authority; and who have left care. (b) Was, before last ceasing to be looked after, an eligible child for the purposes of paragraph 19B of Schedule 2; and (c) Is aged sixteen or seventeen. Children (Leaving Care) Additional groups of relevant Regulations 2001 Regulation 4 children are those who (2) For the purposes of section  Would have been relevant 23A(3), the category of children but for the fact children described in that on their 16th birthday paragraph (2) is an they were detained additional category of through the criminal relevant children. justice system, or in 47 DRAFT hospital. (3) Any child aged 16 or 17 (not being subject to a care order) who: (a) at the time when he attains the age of 16 is detained or in hospital; and (b)a Immediately before being detained or admitted to hospital was accommodated by a local authority for a period of at least 13 weeks which began after he reached the age of 14. (4) For the purposes of this regulation, “detained“ means detained in a remand centre, a young offender institution or a secure training centre, or any other institution pursuant to an order of a court. (7) Where a family placement  Have returned home but within the meaning of the return has broken paragraph (5) breaks down down. and the child ceases to live with the person concerned, the child is to be treated as a relevant child.

Former Relevant  Young people aged 18-21 Children Children Act 1989 who have been with either 23C(1) Each local authority eligible of relevant shall have the duties provided children, or both. If at the for in this section towards – age of 21 the young (a) A person who has been a person is still being relevant child for the helped by the responsible purposes of section 23A authority with education or (and would be one if he training, he or she were under eighteen), and remains a former relevant in relation to whom they child to the end of the were the last responsible agreed programme of authority; and education or training even (b) A person who was being if that takes him or her looked after by them when past the age of 21. he attained the age of eighteen, and immediately before ceasing to be looked after was an eligible child, and in this section such a person is referred to as a

48 DRAFT “former relevant child”.

Qualifying Children Act 1989  Any young person aged Children and 24(1) In this Part “a person under 21 (under 24 if in Young People qualifying for advice and education or training) who over 16 assistance” means a person ceases to be looked after who: or accommodated in a (a) Is under twenty-one; and variety of other settings, (b) At any time after reaching or privately fostered, after the age of sixteen but while the age of 16. This still a child was, but is no includes: Young people longer, looked after, who leave care after accommodated or fostered. October 2001, at or after the age of 16, but do not qualify as eligible children.  Young people who left care before October 2001.

The Responsible Children Act 1989 The council which last looked Authority 23A(4) in subsection (1) the after the child or young “responsible local authority” is person. the one which last looked after the child.

The Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 does not replace the Children Act 1989. It builds on and extends the duties and powers included in the leaving care and aftercare provisions of Section 24 of the Children Act 1989.

Children, Schools & Families - Definitions and Glossary

Abbreviation / Meaning Definition Accommodate/d This term is used to cover children who are being ‘looked after’ by the local authority under s.20 of the Children Act 1989. Allocated worker A named social worker or other key worker who remains /case manager accountable for the case until it is closed or transferred. Assessment (of a A systematic process of assessing the needs, circumstances or child/family) progress of a child/family in order to decide on appropriate further action (or to confirm that no additional help is required). ‘Looked after’ A child who is in the care of the local authority under the Children Act 1989. Duty A legal obligation. ‘In need’ Under the Children Act 1989 it is a statutory duty on local authorities to ‘safeguard and promote the welfare of children within their area who are ‘in need’. Initial Assessment Under the Children Act 1989 an Initial Assessment must be (IA) undertaken for every child referred to CSF with a request for the services we provide as part of our Social Services Responsibilities. 49 DRAFT It is a brief assessment which must be completed within seven working days of the referral being received by CSF. Core Assessment Under the Children Act 1989 a Core Assessment is required (CA) whenever:  there is reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm.  An Initial Assessment is clear that the child/young person is a ‘child in need’ but the assessment requires greater depth in some areas to clarify exactly what the needs are and what types of service are required to meet the child’s needs.  there is a risk of a child becoming ‘Looked After.’  All Care Proceedings.  All Court requested assessments. It is an in-depth assessment which must be completed within 35 days. Common A tool to be used by the whole children’s workforce to assess the Assessment additional needs of children and young people at the first signs of Framework (CAF) difficulties. National Assessment Primarily for the use of professionals and other staff who are Framework for involved in undertaking assessments of children in need and their Children & Families families under the Children Act 1989. Social services has lead responsibility for assessments of children in need including those children who may be or are suffering significant harm but, under section 27 of the Children Act 1989, other local authority services and health authorities have a duty to assist in carrying out this function. Child and Adolescent Provision and intervention, from mental health promotion and Mental Health prevention, specialist community-based services, through to in- Services (CAMHS) patient care for children and young people with mental illness. (get a new wording)

Definitions and abbreviations for housing

Abbreviation / Definition Meaning

H.O.D Homeless on the Day

T.A Temporary Accommodation

I.H Intentionally Homeless

D.V Domestic Violence

D.O.D Discharge of Duty

D.N.A Did not attend

N.F.A No fixed address

50 DRAFT EDC Expected date of confinement

Interim duty to accommodate The duty that the District or Borough council has to provide T.A to applicants whom they consider may be eligible for assistance, homeless and in priority need.

Eligible for assistance Not prevented from receiving assistance due to being subject to immigration control.

Section 184 decision letter Letter that the borough or district council issues to an applicant when enquiries into their homelessness claim have been completed.

Homeless A person is homeless if he has no accommodation which is available for his occupation and which he has a legal right too occupy.

Threatened with homelessness A person is threatened with homelessness if he is likely to become homeless in 28 days.

Intentional homelessness 1. A person becomes homeless intentionally if he has ceased to occupy accommodation as a consequence of a deliberate action or inaction by him.

2. The accommodation was available for his occupation.

3. It would have been reasonable for him to continue to occupy the accommodation.

In priority need 1. A pregnant woman or a person with whom she resides.

2. A person with whom dependent children reside.

3. A person who is vulnerable as a result of old age, mental illness or handicap or physical disability or other special reason.

A person who is homeless as a result of an emergency e.g. flood, fire, other disaster.

5. A person aged 16 or 17 who is not a relevant child or a child in need to whom CSF owe a duty under section 20 (Children Act 1989).

6. A person under 21 who was looked after,

51 DRAFT accommodated or fostered between ages 16 and 18.

7. A person, who is vulnerable as a result of having been looked after, accommodated or fostered.

8. A person who is vulnerable as a result of being in the armed forces.

9. A person who is vulnerable as a result of ceasing to occupy accommodation because of violence from another person.

Please note in the last four categories the person has to be vulnerable as results of their experiences in order to qualify not just have had the experience. For full definitions please see the Housing Act 1996 (as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002).

HYHG Definitions

Abbreviation / Phrase Definition Initial assessment An assessment usually carried out by the AIM worker to obtain a full picture of the client history and needs.

A & I Worker Advice, Information & Mediation worker

FS Floating Support

Immediate/emergency accommodation Crashpad Family or friends Interim accommodation provided by the local housing authority Refuge (if applicable).

Crashpad Emergency accommodation for 16-17 yr olds, in a “vetted” family home for a period of 21 nights subject to satisfactory completion of checks which includes a YOT report. In extreme circumstances the placement can be extended with all parties’ agreement to a maximum of 42 nights.

In certain circumstances 18-21yr old Forma Relevant Children can be referred to the service via the Independent Support Services Accommodation Manager.

In suitable circumstances it is possible for HYHG’s Mediation team to work with the 52 DRAFT young person during their Crashpad placement.

Both the Crashpad and Meditation services are run by HYHG.

y/p Young person

Permanent accommodation Accommodation that is available for sustained period of time: Hostel Private rented Family home Social housing

HHAH Herts Health Action with the Homeless

Appropriate accommodation Accommodation that would meet the needs of the y/p

Youth Justice Service Definitions

Abbreviation Definition Meaning

Y.O.T Youth Offending A multi-agency team with the statutory Team responsibility of dealing with youth crime in the local area. It comprises of staff from CSF, Police, Probation, Health Service and Connexions . Y.J.B Youth Justice Government agency with overall responsibility for Board youth crime provision. This includes inspecting and monitoring standards in YOTs and secure institutions nationally. Y.O.I Young Offenders Secure establishments run by the Prison Service. Institution Young people from 15-21 years of age can be sentenced to time in YOIs. C.P.S Crown Government agency who handle prosecutions in Prosecution the criminal courts. Service D.T.O Detention and A custodial sentence for young people. Minimum training order 4 months maximum 24 months. Half the time is spent in a custodial institution, the other half under supervision in the community. Section 91 Relates to the Power of the Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000. This is a substantial custodial sentence for young people convicted of serious offences where the two year maximum of a D.T.O is seen as insufficient. D.T.T.O Drug Treatment A community sentence for people over the age of and Testing 16. As well as undergoing medical treatment for 53 DRAFT Order a drug problem, they are regularly tested to monitor their drug use. A.P.O Action Plan Order A Community Penalty for 10-17 year olds. The Court determines what the plan should include. All APOs last for 3months. P.S.R Pre-Sentence A report prepared for the Court by the YOT to Report assist in appropriate sentencing. A PSR will contain recommendations as to sentencing as well as background information. C.R.O Community Formerly known as Probation Orders. Only Rehabilitation available to young people of 16 years of age or Order older. Minimum length 6 months. Maximum length 3 years. S.O Supervision Similar to a C.R.O but available to all young Order people aged 10-17. Young people have a designated YOT worker and a supervision plan which involves regular contact with YOT staff and partner agencies. C.P.O Community Previously known as Community Service. Punishment Involves people doing unpaid work in the Order community. Overseen by the Probation Service. Only available to those aged 16 or older. ASSET A mandatory assessment procedure that is carried out on all young people who come into contact with the YOT. It is designed to highlight areas of high risk so that future plans to reduce offending can be informed. S.T.C Secure Training Secure establishments run by private companies Centre under contract to the YJB. Takes younger children 10-15 and 16 and 17 year olds seen as too vulnerable for going to a YOI. A.A Appropriate Adult Somebody over 18 present when a person under 17 is questioned by the police. Usually this is a parent or carer.

The Secure All of the secure accommodation for young Estate people available to the Courts. This includes local authority secure children’s homes as well as YOIs and STCs. T.I.C’s (Other Offences) If whilst being interviewed by the police, a young Taken Into person admits more similar or less serious Consideration crimes, they will be added to the charge as “TICs” ensuring that s/he won’t be arrested for them at a later date.

N.F.A No further action If after arrest and interview, the police choose not to take the matter any further it is “NFA’d”. I.S.S.P Intensive A special YOT scheme for young people seen as Supervision and prolific offenders or who have committed serious Surveillance offences. An ISSP is added to a Supervision Programme Order or Community Rehabilitation Order. They are closely monitored with up to 25 hours of contact per week. They will have an allocated 54 DRAFT ISSP worker as well as a YOT worker.

55 DRAFT APPENDIX F - CONTACT LISTS

Hertfordshire Housing Authorities:

Housing Needs/Homelessness Managers Broxbourne Dacorum Andrew Wilkes Natasha Brathwaite Housing Needs Manager Housing Solutions Manager Bishops College Civic Centre Churchgate Hemel Hempstead Cheshunt EN8 9XD HP1 1HH Tel: 01992 785555 Tel: 01442 228900 Email: Email: [email protected] [email protected]

East Herts Hertsmere Elizabeth Foy Kim Harwood/Sue Gordon Housing Options Manager Housing Needs Manager East Herts Council Civic Offices Wallfields Elstree Pegs Lane Borehamwood Hertford WD6 1WA SG13 8EQ Tel: 0208 2072277 Tel: 019992 531529 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

North Herts St Albans Martin Lawrence Susan Hughes Housing Needs Manager Housing Options Coordinator Town Lodge, Gernon Road Civic Offices Letchworth, Herts SG6 3HN St Peter's Street Tel: 01462 474250 St Albans Fax: 01462 474396 AL1 3JE Email: Tel: 01727 819407 [email protected] Email: [email protected] Stevenage Three Rivers Sukhdev Sidhu Patsy Gilbert Principal Advice and Homelessness Officer, Housing Needs Manager Housing, Partnership & Communications Three Rivers House Daneshill House Northway Stevenage Rickmansworth Tel: 01438 242953 WD3 1RL Email: [email protected] Tel: 01923 727056 Email: [email protected] Watford Welwyn Hatfield Chris Hall Sian Chambers and Rebecca Hillman Homeless Prevention and Housing Advice (job share) Heads of Housing Needs Manager Housing Services Town Hall Council Offices Watford 51 Bridge Road East WD17 3EX Welwyn Garden City Tel: 01923 278164 AL7 1JR Email: [email protected] Tel: 01707 357640

56 DRAFT Email: [email protected]

Heads of Housing

Broxbourne Dacorum Steve Tingley, Head of Housing and Karen Tarbox Strategy Acting Head of Housing Borough Offices Civic Centre Bishops College Hemel Hempstead Churchgate HP1 1HH Cheshunt Tel: 01442 228000 Waltham Cross [email protected] Herts EN8 9XD Tel: 01992 785555. [email protected]

East Herts Hertsmere Claire Bennett Andrew Weaver Housing Strategy and Policy Manager Civic Offices Wallfields Elstree Pegs Lane Borehamwood Hertford WD6 1WA SG13 8EQ Tel: 020 8207 2215 Tel: 01279 655261 [email protected] [email protected]

North Herts St Albans Andrew Godman Karen Dragovic Head of Housing Civic Offices Town Lodge, Gernon Road St Peter's Street Letchworth, Herts SG6 3HN St Albans Tel: 01462 474293 AL1 3JE [email protected] Tel: 01727 819400 [email protected]

Stevenage Three Rivers Richard Protheroe Nyack Semelo-Shaw Strategic Housing Manager Head of Housing Services Daneshill House Three Rivers House Danestrete Northway Stevenage Rickmansworth Tel: 01438 242242 WD3 1RL [email protected] 01923 776611 [email protected]

57 DRAFT Watford Welwyn Hatfield Maggie Challoner John Briggs Acting Housing Strategy and Enabling Head of Housing Manager Council Offices Town Hall 51 Bridge Road East Watford Welwyn Garden City WD17 3EX AL7 1JR 01923 226400 01707 357000 [email protected] [email protected]

Children, Schools and Families

Sue Williams Jonathan Fisher Head of Safeguarding Head of Children Looked After Farnham House Service Six Hills Way Apsley Two Stevenage Hemel Hempstead SG1 2FQ HP3 9BF Tel: 01438 843246 Tel: 01992 588043/01442 453027 [email protected] [email protected]

North Herts and Stevenage Broxbourne and East Herts

Martin Payne Nicola Curley/Helen Battersby Children’s Service Manager Children’s Service Manager Farnham House, Farnham House, Six Hills Way, Six Hills Way, Stevenage, Stevenage, SG1 2FQ SG1 2FQ Tel: 01438 843707 Tel: 01438 843685 [email protected] nicola.curley @hertscc.gov.uk

St Albans and Dacorum Watford and Three Rivers

Steve Morris Helen Mann Children’s Service Manager Children’s Service Manager Apsley Two Apsley Two Brindley Way Brindley Way Hemel Hempstead HP3 9BF Hemel Hempstead HP3 9BF Tel: 01442 453015 Tel: 01442 453018 [email protected] [email protected]

Children Looked After Teams Welwyn Hatfield & Hertsmere

Jill Forrest Children’s Services Manager Tricia Day Apsley Two Children’s Services Manager Brindley Way Farnham House, Hemel Hempstead HP3 9BF Six Hills Way, Tel: 01442 451324 Stevenage, 58 DRAFT [email protected] SG1 2FQ Tel: 01438 843336 [email protected]

Independence Support Service Lin Phillips Abigail Cope Children’s Service Manager Accommodation Manager Independence Support Service Independence Support Service CSF, Apsley Two CSF, Farnham House Brindley Way Six Hills Way Hemel Hempstead HP3 9BF Stevenage Tel: 01442 453019 SG1 2FQ [email protected] Tel: 01438 843299 or 07787 170890. [email protected]

Youth Justice Service Youth Connexions

Tom Rees Lynne Coulthard Assistant Director Head of Strategy & Development Youth Justice Service 28 Castle Street Room 232a, County Hall, Hertford, Herts Pegs Lane, Hertford SG14 1HH SG13 8DF Tel: 01992 556198 Tel: 01992 556337 [email protected] [email protected]

Herts Young Homeless Group

Helen Wren Head of Service for Advice, Information and Mediation Service York House 14 Salisbury Square Hatfield Herts Al9 5AD Tel: 01707 272769 [email protected]

59 DRAFT APPENDIX G - HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS ORGANISATIONS

Centrepoint Centrepoint aims to ensure that no young person is at risk because they do not have a safe place to stay.

Telephone: 0845 466 3400 Address: Central House, 25 Camperdown Street, London E1 8DZ. Website: http://www.centrepoint.org.uk/

CRISIS Crisis is a national charity dedicated to the relief of poverty and distress among single homeless people. Its mission is to end street homelessness through practical action to help homeless people move towards a secure, sustainable home.

Telephone: 0844 251 0111 Address: 64 Commercial Street London E1 6LT Website: http://www.crisis.org.uk/

Homeless Link Homeless Link is the membership organisation supporting and representing more than 700 agencies working with homeless people across England and Wales.

Telephone: 020 7960 3010 Address: First Floor, 10-13 Rushworth Street, London, SE1 0RB. Website: http://www.homeless.org.uk/

Homeless Pages website Homeless Pages is a comprehensive guide to information about single homelessness in the UK. It includes information about publications, training courses and websites on homelessness and related issues.

Telephone: 020 7939 0648 Address: Resource Information service, Bramah House, 65-71 Bermondsey Street, London, SE1 3FX Website: http://www.homelesspages.org.uk/ also http://homelessuk.org/details.asp?id=LP10

Shelter Shelter provides advice, information and support to people with housing problems throughout Britain.

Telephone: 0808 800 4444 or 020 7505 2000 (operates 24 hours a day) Address: 88 Old Street, London, EC1V 9HU. Website: http://www.shelter.org.uk/knowyourrights

Shelter Homeless Act website Shelter’s Homeless Act website offers free registration and gives members details of the provisions of the new Homelessness Act, the new categories of Priority Need and the implications of both for local policy and practice.

Website: http://www.homelesspages.org.uk/

60 DRAFT

Homeless Contacts within Central Government

Homeless – general (a quick link):

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister Website: http://www.odpm.gov.uk/homlessness Direct contact 020 7944 4400

Tackling homelessness (for general enquiries):

E-mail: [email protected]

Homelessness statistics:

Email: [email protected]

Supporting People:

Email: [email protected]

61 DRAFT APPENDIX H – SUPPORTED HOUSING RESOURCES IN HERTFORDSHIRE

Supported housing schemes and their referral criteria in Hertfordshire.

Aged 16 Plus

Provider, Address and Relevant Number Referral Criteria Telephone no of District/ of Beds Route Scheme Borough Housing Department

Aldwyck Britannia Foyer, Broxbourne 20 Via Aged 16-25 Eleanor Cross Broxbourne years. Road, Waltham Council – Cross, Herts. EN8 needs to be Single 7NB nominated people , following expectant Tel – interview. mothers and 01992 710009 young parents

Aldwyck Osbourne House, Broxbourne 5 Via Aged 16-25 3, Churchgate, Broxbourne years. Cheshunt, Herts. Council EN8 9NB Single People only Tel – 01992 643089 Swan Foyer Dacorum 18 Direct to Aged 16-25 Aldwyck 137-9 High Provider – years. Street. complete Must have a Berkhamstead, referral local Herts HP4 3HH form connection to Dacorum Tel – 01442 384344 Aldwyck Lots Scheme, Hertsmere 3 two bed Via Aged 16-25 Worknet, 23, unit for Hertsmere years. Shenley Road, parents Council – Borehamwood, needs to be Single Herts. WD6 1AU 4 x 2 bed nominated people and units for following mother and Tel – 0208 953 single interview. baby. 1087 people - 8 Must have a local connection to Hertsmere

62 DRAFT

Aldwyck 16-18, Newtons North Herts 7 Direct to Aged 16-25 Way, Hitchin. Provider – years. Herts SG4 9JR complete referral Must have a Tel – 01462 form local 440755 connection to North Herts. Single people and expectant Mothers Aldwyck 7-9 Sun Street, North Herts 6 Direct Aged 16-25 Baldock. Herts Provider – Years SG7 6QA complete referral Single Tel 01462 893745 form people and families Aldwyck 58, Dacre Road, North Herts 5 Direct Aged 16-26 Hitchin. Herts. Provider – years. SG5 1QL complete referral Single Tel 0 1462 form people and 615020 families

Aldwyck 64a and B Dacre North Herts 2 Direct Aged 16-25 Road, Hitchin, Provider – years. Herts. SG5 1QL Complete Referral Families Tel – 01462 form only. 615020 Generally 2nd phase of move on, for Newtons Way Aldwyck Artisan Crescent St Albans 8 beds. Direct to Aged 16-25 66, Artizan provider – years. Crescent, St Made up of 6 complete Albans. Herts. single units. referral Single AL3 5UL form. Must people, 2 mum and then be put mother and Tel – 01727 baby onto baby. 843393 Housing Register. Aldwyck Hutton House, 18 Stevenage 12 Via ged 16-25 Bradman way, Stevenage years. Stevenage SG1 Shared Council – Single 5RE Facilities Needs to people have an Tel – 01438 assessment Generally 318251 before 16-18 years completing

63 DRAFT referral form Aldwyck Ripon Road Stevenage 12 Via Aged 16-25 Stevenage years. Shared Council – Facilities Needs to Single have an people assessment Generally 18-20 years. Move on for Hutton House Aldwyck Mary Mead Stevenage 11 Via Aged 16-25 Stevenage years. Shared Council – Facilities Needs to Single have an people, assessment generally 18+ years. Move on from Mary Mead

Aldwyck Furzefield House, Three Rivers 12 Via Three 16-25 years. Gosforth Lane, Rivers South Oxhey, Self Council- Single Herts. WD19 7BD Contained Needs to people and have an expectant Tel – 0208 428 assessment mothers 4087

Hightown 30, George Dacorum 8 Direct to 16-24 years Praetorian Street, Provider – Hemel 3 Self referral Single Hempstead, contained form people Herts. HP2 5HJ 5 Bedrooms Tel – 01442 215643 Hightown Keepers Cottage Dacorum 5 Referrals 16-25 years Praetorian Belsize Close via Hemel Dacorum Expectant Hempstead 2 Bedrooms Borough mothers Council to Tel - 01442 3 Bedrooms provider 215643 (local connection only) Hightown The Berries, 135a Watford 6 Direct to Aged 16- 19 Praetorian Rickmansworth Provider – years Road,, referral Watford, Herts. form Single

64 DRAFT WD18 7FH People Tel – 01923 210490 Hightown 60 Watford 5 Via Watford Aged 16-19 Praetorain Rickmansworth Council. years Road, Watford, Herts.

Tel – 01923 630919 Paradigm The Foyer, Welwyn Hatfield 42 Via Welwyn/ Aged 16-25 Housing Goldings House, Hatfield years Association Goldings Council Crescent, needs to be Single Hatfield, Herts. nominated people AL10 8UA

Tel – 01707 283020

Aged 18+

Please remember to consult the 16+ list first before considering the following providers for young people, as this next list is a much more generic list, which is primarily for homeless adults.

Provider, Address and Relevant Number of Referral Criteria Contact of District/Borough Beds Route Scheme Housing Department Irish Townsend Hertsmere 18 Direct to Single Housing House, 135, Provider - Females group Aycliffe Road, aged 16-25 Borehamwood, years. Herts. WD6 4HA

Tel – 0208 207 1562 Irish Urban Court Hertsmere 11 Via Hertsmere Expectant Housing Brookside, Council – Mums and Group South needs to be Families Mymms., nominated aged Potters Bar, 16yrs+ Herts EN6 3QE

Tel - 01707 662667 Hightown Kent House, 1 St Albans 20 Direct to Aged 18-65 Praetorain New Kent Provider – via years. Housing Road, St referral form Association Albans. Herts. Singles

65 DRAFT AL1 3XF and 2 beds for Tel – 01727 Couples. 838250 Hightown 31 Alexandra Dacorum 4 Direct to Aged 18 to Praetorian Road Self provider via 25 years Housing Hemel contained referral form to Association Hempstead, units 30, George Single Herts. HP2 4 Street, people Hemel Hempstead, Herts/ HP2 5HJ

Tel – 01442 215643

Hightown 64 Alexandra Dacorum 5 Self Direct to Aged 18 to Praetorian Road contained provider via 25 years Housing Hemel units referral form to Association Hempstead, 30, George Single Herts. HP2 4 Street, people Hemel Hempstead, Herts. HP2 5HJ

Tel – 01442 215643

Hightown 30 Leveret Watford 3 rooms in Direct to 18-25 Praetorian Close shared Provider – via years Housing Watford house referral form to Association Herts The Berries, Single 135a people Rickmanswort h Road,, Watford, Herts. WD18 7FH

Tel – 01923 210490 Hightown 429 North Watford 2 rooms in Direct to 18-25 Praetorian Western shared Provider – via years Housing Avenue house referral form to Association Watford The Berries, Single Herts 135a people Rickmanswort h Road, Watford, Herts. WD18 7FH

66 DRAFT

Tel – 01923 210490

Hightown Butterwick Watford 3 Rooms in Direct to 18-25 Praetorian Watford shared Provider – via years Housing Herts housed referral form to Association The Berries, Single 135a people Rickmanswort h Road,, Watford, Herts. WD18 7FH

Tel – 01923 210490 LIFE Through Head Baldock 4 Direct to Expectant Housing Office, 1, Mill Provider – via Mothers Street, referral form and Young Lemington Mothers Spa, CV 31 with 1ES children under age Tel – 0870 417 of 5yrs. 7777 LIFE Through Head Hemel 6 Direct to Expectant Housing Office, 1, Mill Hempstead Provider – via mothers Street, referral form and young Lemington mothers Spa, CV 31 with 1ES children under age Tel –0870 417 of 5yrs. 7777 LIFE Through Head St Albans 4 Direct to Expectant Housing Office, 1, Mill Provider via Mothers Street, referral form and Young Lemington Mothers Spa, CV 31 with 1ES children under age Tel – 0870 417 of 5yrs 7777 Stonham 71-73 Queens Watford 17 Direct to Aged 18+ Housing Road Provider- via Watford, Herts. referral form Ex- WD1 2QN offenders Tel – 01923 only 236583 Stonham 39 Theobald Hertsmere 15 Direct to Aged 18-65 Housing Street, Provider – via years.

67 DRAFT Borehamwood, referral form Ex- Herts. Offenders WD6 4RT only.

Tel – 0208 905 1210 YMCA Bishops East Herts 27 Via East Herts Aged 18+ Stortford, 4 Council – Northgate End, needs to be Bishops nominated Stortford, Herts. CM23 2EX

Tel – 01279 838068 YMCA Charter House, Watford 139 Direct to Aged 18+ Charter Place, Provider – via Watford, Herts referral form YMCA Peartree Lane, Welwyn Hatfield 150 Via Welwyn Aged 18+ Welwyn Council Hatfield Garden City, Council – Herts. AL7 needs to be 3UL nominated

Tel – 01707 351400

68 DRAFT APPENDIX I

Need, Process and Placement Options `Low need 1. Meets the section 20 criteria but has low vulnerability

2. Engaged in education, training or employment

3. Motivated

4. Good self care skills

5. Has a high degree of insight into their situation and circumstances

6. Peer group is positive rather than negative

7. Manages stress well

8. Makes use of social work support

9. Has good social contacts and network.

Medium Need 1. Meets the section 20 criteria but has medium vulnerability

2. Has difficulty engaging in education, training or employment, may change college course and have periods of NEET but can be encouraged into an activity

3. Needs assistance to manage money and budget but does not get into debt

4. Has a mixed peer group who can be both a positive and negative influence

5. Possible periods of self harm in the past

6. Possible periods of putting self at risk in the past

7. Generally a balanced young person but may struggle with change which represents a potential trigger and risk of negative behaviour

8. Generally makes use of social work support, but may miss appointments High Need 1. Meets the section 20 criteria but has high vulnerability

2. Does not engage in education, training or employment and is not motivated to explore options and does not see the importance of these activities.

3. Offending behaviour

4. Self Harming behaviour

5. Puts self and others at risk

69 DRAFT

6. Finds it difficult to engage with and accept social work support or support from other professionals and agencies

Placement Options Placement Options Placement Options Low Need Medium High Need Foster Care Foster Care Semi-independent Provider – Dedicated Floating Support Supported Lodgings Supported Lodgings Children’s Home Hostel Hostel Semi-independent Unit – Dedicated On-sight support Housing Authority - Housing Authority - Specialist Unit Temporary and Permanent Temporary and Permanent Independent Tenancy – Independent Tenancy – YOI Floating and Community Floating and Community Based Support Based Support Semi-independent Provider – Dedicated Support

70 DRAFT Homelessness and Child in Need Process Flow Chart 16 and 17 year olds Assessment Phase Children, Schools and Families Herts Young Homeless Group Housing Authorities

Section 20 Low Need Section 20 Prevention Via Medium Need Section 20 Section 17 High Need

Temporary Temporary Accommodation Accommodation HYHG Provided by Provided by Placement Housing Housing Provided by Authority Authority Children, Schools and Families Placement Home, Registered Provided by Other Social Children, Schools Landlord and Families Permanent Accommodation 18th Birthday Provided by the Housing Authority Permanent Permanent Accommodation Accommodation Provided by the Provided by the Housing Authority Housing Authority