Our journey started in Oct 2005 with the introduction of Young Persons Homeless Prevention Officers (YPHPO’s) – funded by Children’s services. The YPHPO’s see all young people presenting at the Open Door Project.

 Their role includes early intervention, mediation and reconciliation trying to maintain young people, where it’s safe to do so, within their family/extended family homes. YPHPO’s also signpost young people to other accommodation and support services.

 Here are some typical case studies which highlight their work:

 Case Study 1

 Tyler was 16 years old when he approached the Homeless Unit. He was referred by The Youth Offending Team because his mother was throwing him out the following day. Tyler was from a split household. He had previously lived with his father but was subjected to violence by him and therefore moved to live with his mother.

 However, Tyler’s mother could not cope with him and his sister living under the same roof because they argued constantly and she was not prepared to put up with this.

 Tyler was not receiving any benefits and was not in training or employment. His case officer successfully negotiated a further 2 weeks lodgings with his mother to allow time to work with Tyler to secure other accommodation for him.

 During the negotiated period when Tyler was still living with his mother, mediation was continued to prevent the relationship breaking down. At the end of the two week period, Tyler was placed with a host family. Whilst Tyler was with the host family he was provided with support and assistance in successfully claiming benefits and accessing training. He was also referred to a local supported housing scheme and, after a month, secured accommodation with them.

 Case Study 2

 Lee (17) and his mother approached the Homeless Unit for help in obtaining accommodation. Lee is from a single parent family and had lived with his mother and sister since his father left when Lee was four years old. Recently Lee’s mother moved her new partner into the property and Lee found it difficult to adjust to another male being in the household. His mother’s new partner had no children of his own and experienced difficulty in forming a relationship with Lee. As a result, Lee and his mother’s partner were coming into conflict on a daily basis. Lee and his Mother had both decided that the best option would be for Lee to find his own accommodation.

 Housing options were discussed with Lee and his mother but the case officer also offered to provide mediation to stabilise the family situation and resolve the conflicts in order to remove the need for Lee to find his own accommodation.

 Lee was referred to the YMCA Step In Project for mediation and, after a number positive visits from a specialist worker, the family have agreed that

they can resolve their differences. The outcome is that Lee is going to stay at home and no longer wants to look at other housing options.

 Case Study 3

 Isabella (17) was referred to the Homeless Unit via Young Families. At the time, she was living with her partner and child in her family home but was at risk of being asked to leave because of overcrowding issues.

 The case officer successfully negotiated temporary lodgings for the family with Isabella’s mother to allow time to explore other, more permanent, accommodation options. 

 Isabella identified a private tenancy available through a local letting agent who was willing to accept housing benefit claimants. The landlord required a bond for the tenancy which Isabella was not able to afford. The case officer negotiated with the landlord who agreed to accept a bond guarantee from the council.  The amount of the bond guarantee was entered as a commitment against the homeless unit prevention fund. Isabella in was also required to pay the one month’s rent in advance. The case officer assisted her in applying for a crisis loan to fund this and provided a letter of support. The application was successful and the loan made a week later. This enabled Isabella to sign the tenancy agreement shortly after.

 The case officer continued to monitor the family’s housing benefit claim to make sure it became active and there were no delays or problems and then referred the family back to Young Families for support to sustain their tenancy. They are still living in the tenancy and are not experiencing any problems.

 Case Study 4

 Perry (16) came to our offices with his Youth Worker. He had problems with drug and alcohol misuse and had previously been in Social Services care.  Despite this, he was assessed as not meeting the criteria to be considered as a child in need. Perry had no income and was just finishing his GCSEs. Perry had been required to leave his mother’s address due to persistent aggressive behaviour and threats to kill her.

 The case officer completed a full assessment with Perry including a risk assessment and discussed housing options including the limited availability for 16 and 17 year olds. The process and possible outcomes of making a homeless application were discussed and Perry made an informed decision that he did not want to pursue a homeless application. He offered the possibility that he might be able to stay with his partner if he could not return home.

 The case officer contacted Perry’s mother and tried to negotiate a continuation of lodgings without success.  The case officer then successfully negotiated temporary lodgings with Perry’s partner. Whilst Perry stayed with his partner he was provided with support and assistance in securing his own benefits. Referrals were sent to two local supported housing schemes.