Homeless Young Offenders' Housing Criticised By Report

A third of homeless 16 and 17-year-old offenders in England and Wales are being placed in unsafe or unsuitable accommodation, a report has found. The report outlines a number of failings including poor support and a lack of appropriate housing. The government said children's services had to protect this group by law. The report was produced from the joint findings of HM Inspectorate of Probation and the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales. Local authorities are responsible for providing accommodation for homeless young people of that age, and the report said many had already been in the care system. Read more on the BBC website.

Councils 'Forcing Homeless Families To Relocate Miles Away'

Local authorities are unlawfully resettling homeless families in temporary housing far away from their local area, forcing them to spend hours travelling to schools and health services, a study has found. The housing charity Shelter says some councils are guilty of unsafe practices by pressurising homeless families into accepting unsuitable housing up to 100 miles from where they live, causing them unnecessary hardship. Despite official guidance requiring councils to place families where practical in the borough in which they are resident, Shelter says authorities in London are now moving households out of area “as a matter of course”.  Read more on the Observer website.

Care Leavers' Housing Poor Say MPs

Too many care leavers live in unsuitable accommodation, MPs have warned. A report on the outcomes of young people leaving the care system by the Commons Public Accounts Committee was heavily critical of services and support. They also concluded the quality and cost of care was too variable and they could find no clear relationship between the two. Poor housing was one of the committee’s biggest concerns and the MPs urged the Department for Education to work more closely with local government, as well as those running children’s care homes. A key problem is finding suitable residential properties that meet need, regulations and do not face opposition from local residents. Read more on the Parliament website.

Care Leavers Placed In ‘Unsuitable’ Accommodation

Local councils in England are housing vulnerable teenagers in bed and breakfasts despite new rules restricting the practice. In some areas less than half are living in "suitable" accommodation, a new analysis of official data shows. The Department for Education (DfE) said young people leaving care were now receiving more help than ever before. While 78% of care leavers across England are judged to be living in places which are safe and which meet their needs, according to official data for 2013-14, local figures show the number is much lower in many areas. Of England's 151 local authorities, 15 told a DfE annual census, that no more than two thirds of young care leavers were living in accommodation which met official criteria on what was "suitable". Read more on the BBC website.