Project Description
Homelessness amongst 16-17 year olds is primarily caused by family breakdown. A significant number of young people are living in challenging conditions, and are exposed to a number of high risk behaviours. These young people can end up in crises, in and out of temporary or inappropriate housing and not managing to cope. As young people transition as care leavers, many end up homeless, unemployed and not in secure accommodation.
The Right Home is a provision for vulnerable 16-19 year olds who are at risk of homelessness. It provides a multi-agency approach between children’s housing services, including flexible accommodation options and personalised support.
Five accommodation strands have been developed during the project: Short Stays residential service and Boarding School places for young people on the edge of care, 24hr Intensive Supported Accommodation service and Foyer provision for vulnerable 16-25 year olds at risk of homelessness, and a Staying Close option for young people leaving residential care.
Calderdale received further funding under Wave Two of the DfE’s innovation project, for a project on teenage pregnancy.
Evaluation
The DfE-funded independent evaluation published in 2017 found that:
- all five accommodation and support options were implemented, with all but one operating at capacity
- during the first year of operation, 48 young people were supported through the RHP Options
- the majority of young people reported improved home life and wellbeing
- referrals were streamlined through a single pathway, bringing about greater efficiency, improved cross-agency work and information sharing.