Prevention in practice: local responses to youth homelessness

Any young person at risk of homelessness should be able to approach their local council and receive support they need. Unfortunately, many are unable to access this assistance and end up in risky situations, rough sleeping or sofa beginning a cycle of homelessness and exclusion.

Last year 129,000 young people approached their council for support. Centrepoint reports only 38% per cent of those who presented had a positive outcome. This number is just the tip of the iceberg, with thousands more young people in hidden homeless situations.

Our Young & Homeless research has shown barriers to support young people face include:

• A lack of information and therefore understanding about young people’s housing rights, and the supports available to them;
• Complex, hard to navigate systems
• A lack of youth informed supports, pathways and housing options

The Positive Pathway

Developed in 2012 and refreshed in 2015, the Positive Pathway is a 5 stage framework for local authorities and partners to plan and develop their approach to preventing youth homelessness locally. It involves:

1. Universal information and advice for young people and families
2. Early help
3. Integrated response and gateway to commissioned accommodation and support.
4. Commissioned accommodation and support
5. A range of Housing Options

Prevention in practice

All forms of prevention are important in planning a local response to homelessness. Local areas need to take action to ensure their departments are ready to respond to young people at risk of homelessness, and have services designed to meet their unique risks and needs.

We have collected short case studies detailing actions local areas have taken to improve their services for young people. We know the time-pressures faced by organisations and local authorities, and have developed these briefings to give a time sensitive overview of changes made, positive outcomes and challenges, that can be used to generate ideas, spark conversation and be explored in greater depth when individuals and organisations have the time.

Please download the briefings on a PC or laptop for correct formatting.