Providing Homes for Young People: Implementing Measures To End Temporary Accommodation and Homelessness

The Government has pledged to end the use of B&B as accommodation for homeless 16- and 17-year-olds by 2010. This is part of a national plan, in partnership with the voluntary sector and local authorities, to prevent and tackle youth homelessness.

The latest statistics suggest the number of young people in temporary accommodation or sleeping rough is falling, but the problem remains a very serious one with huge long-term implications for those affected.

This Westminster Briefing will provide delegates with an opportunity to consider latest government thinking and current examples of best practice, as well as discussing some innovative prevention methods and debating what more can be done to reduce the problem of youth homelessness. Key issues to be discussed include:

• How can local housing services form better partnerships with local children’s services and the voluntary sector to provide better quality accommodation for young people? What measurescan local authorities implement to tackle the problem of "hidden" youth homelessness? What are the resource and funding implications? How can services be made more accessible and equitable?
• How can disputes within families and care homes be tackled earlier to stop young people ending up homeless? How can family mediation services be improved to reduce failing referrals? What more can be done to help those affected by domestic violence and abuse?
• What role can schools play in identifying and helping at-risk young people? How can theyoung homeless be encouraged to continue with their education and be provided with more training opportunities?
• How can the most vulnerable young people, including those with mental health and substance abuse problems, be better protected and supported? Do young offenders and BME young males need particular safeguards and help?

Delegates will be drawn from a wide range of stakeholders, including local government housing and youth homelessness strategy officers and managers; registered social landlords; social service officers, particularly those from children, welfare and education services; central government departments and relevant bodies; voluntary associations and youth homeless charities; and all those practitioners that have an interest in reducing youth homelessness.