Agenda item

This report updates the Children’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee on arrangements to support Care Experienced Young People (CEYP) as they move toward independent living. It responds to the committee's recommendation in June 2025; that the Committee seeks assurance that the new Joint Housing protocol has been successfully agreed and is working effectively to ensure our Care Experienced Young People are seeing an improved service and are in receipt of timely advice and safe housing that suits their individual needs and hopes for the future.

It evidences the effectiveness of the Joint Housing Protocol review in improving partnership working, reducing homelessness, and ensuring priority access to housing options such as Staying Put, Supported Lodgings, Specialist Supported Housing, and independent accommodation.

Governance has been strengthened through the BCP Youth Homelessness Board, embedding strategic oversight and accountability. Young people’s voices have shaped improvements to housing information, pathway clarity, and pre- and post-move support, while specialist and supported housing commissioning continues to provide tailored assistance for those with higher needs.

Support for planning independence is integrated across pathways, with recommissioned services to be focused upon enhancing life skills and resilience. Despite progress, challenges remain due to local housing market pressures and affordability, requiring continued learning from reviews and lived experience alongside implementation of the forthcoming Children’s Wellbeing and Skills Bill to secure positive outcomes for CEYP.

The Head of Strategic Housing & Partnerships and Head of Children in Care and Care Experienced Young People presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

This report updated the Children’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee on arrangements to support Care Experienced Young People (CEYP) as they moved toward independent living. It responded to the Committee's recommendation in June 2025; that the Committee sought assurance that the new Joint Housing Protocol had been successfully agreed and was working effectively to ensure Care Experienced Young People were seeing an improved service and were in receipt of timely advice and safe housing that suited their individual needs and hopes for the future.

It evidenced the effectiveness of the Joint Housing Protocol review in improving partnership working, reducing homelessness, and ensuring priority access to housing options such as Staying Put, Supported Lodgings, Specialist Supported Housing, and independent accommodation.

Governance had been strengthened through the BCP Youth Homelessness Board, embedding strategic oversight and accountability. Young people’s voices had shaped improvements to housing information, pathway clarity, and pre? and post?move support, while specialist and supported housing commissioning continued to provide tailored assistance for those with higher needs.

Support for planning independence was integrated across pathways, with recommissioned services to be focused upon enhancing life skills and resilience. Despite progress, challenges remained due to local housing market pressures and affordability, requiring continued learning from reviews and lived experience alongside implementation of the forthcoming Children’s Wellbeing and Skills Bill to secure positive outcomes for CEYP.

The Committee discussed the report, including:

• In response to a query raised regarding data and monitoring, the Committee was advised that information on approaches, characteristics (including young people leaving custody) and repeat homelessness is collected and reviewed regularly to identify trends and inform practice.
• In response to a query raised regarding whether the statutory 56?day timeframe allowed sufficient time for planning, and the Committee was advised that earlier pathway planning is now undertaken through regular multi?agency meetings, including probation, in order to prevent crisis situations wherever possible.
• The Committee was advised that Youth Homelessness Board data is reported regularly, and it was agreed that officers would provide the Committee with a summary of these metrics, including information on repeat homelessness and outcomes for care experienced young people. ACTION
• In response to a query raised regarding supported accommodation, the Committee was advised that recent challenges, including abandonment or eviction from placements, are informing forthcoming recommissioning work, and that respite options would be strengthened.
• The Committee was advised that tenancy?sustainment support is available, and where concerns emerge, agencies intervene early and update joint assessments to maintain stability or secure appropriate alternatives.
• In response to a query raised regarding young people’s aspirations and voice, the Committee was advised that these are being embedded more strongly in planning and governance, including through the refreshed Youth Homelessness Board and the intention to appoint a young person as co?chair.
• The Committee was advised that long?term requirements for specialist and supported housing will be set out in the forthcoming strategy to support sufficiency and future commissioning.

RESOLVED that the update be noted and that a further update report be brought to the Committee in 12 months. ADD TO WORK PLAN

Voting: Nem. Con.