Agenda item

This report provides the members of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee with an update on Medway’s children and families placed in interim temporary accommodation under Section 188 of the Housing Act 1996, during the relief duty while homeless enquiries are undertaken or temporary accommodation placements for households accepted as homeless under the main duty under Section 193 of the Housing 1996 Act.

The report highlights the actions to support these families placed in interim and temporary accommodation and the action being taken to move families into settled accommodation.

Discussion:

The Committee considered the report which detailed actions to support families placed in interim and temporary accommodation and the action being taken to move families into settled accommodation.

Members raised several comments and questions which included:

Placements outside of Medway - it was noted that the amount of Medway families placed outside of Medway had reduced to 10% with no families placed outside of Kent. It was however asked where those places were as parts of Kent were over 50 miles away from Medway. It was also asked how many social housing properties came onto the market each year. The Committee was informed that many placements were in surrounding areas with a few a little further away but the main priority was to keep households with dependents in Medway where possible. Some families, however, could not stay in Medway for various reasons such as risks associated with domestic violence. The priority for the housing team was to prevent households from becoming homeless and it was vital for the team to be involved with households earlier where there was a possibility of them becoming homeless.

It was further asked what scope there was for families that had been placed outside of Medway to return, the officer said that all had the option to move back although a small proportion could not move back due to risk factors.

Prevention - it was noted that there was a very small percentage of care leavers in temporary accommodation, and it was asked what approach was taken to prevent an increase in numbers. The Committee was informed that there had previously been a significant number of care leavers in temporary accommodation and as a result of extensive targeted, collaborative and preventative work undertaken, the numbers had been greatly reduced.

Wrap around support - in response to a question on how closely children’s social care and the housing department worked together on wrap around support for families, the Committee learnt that if a family was placed outside of Medway, and there was Child in Need or Child Protection needs identified, a referral would be sent to the relevant authority. An assessment took place on circumstances suitability when placing outside of Medway. It was added that children living in temporary accommodation was in itself not a safeguarding issue as those parents still held parental responsibility for the child. There were extremely low numbers of families in temporary accommodation that were under Local Authority care.

It was asked what the support for households looked like and the Committee learnt that as a Local Authority, there was a duty to provide support and there were two full time officers in post solely providing that support. Out of area placement visits took place as well as home visits for in area placements. The level of risk determined the frequency of visits.

Properties - it was asked what was being done to retain Medway properties for Medway families and the Committee was informed that it was difficult to stem the tide of out of borough placements as providers could offer placements to whomever they wanted to and historically Medway had cheaper rates which had made it attractive to other authorities. The Local Allowance allocated for Medway was low, whilst other authorities received higher subsidy rates which made it attractive and cheaper for them to place families in Medway.

Waitlists - it was commented that there were over 3000 families on the waiting list and approximately 700 lets per year, and it was asked what strategies were being utilised to reduce waiting times. It was also asked what was being done for large families who had been waiting for larger properties for a considerable period of time. The Committee was advised that there were various plans in place to address some issues but the challenge was that there was not enough social housing to meet demand. There were limited numbers of 4 plus bedroom properties in Medway and incentives were being explored to encourage under occupiers to downsize. There were currently plans to purchase 198 properties for exclusive use as temporary accommodation and One Medway Lettings had recently worked to settle three of the largest families on the waiting list. There was extensive work being undertaken through marketing and comms to get more properties signed up to the scheme. One Medway Lettings would take on any size property available, but the priority was for larger properties, as this was in great demand in Medway.

The number of households in Medway with dependent children was high and it was acknowledged that there were issues with move on accommodation  and the Move On team was created specifically to support that cohort.

Decision:

The Committee noted the report.