Early Intervention and Prevention Event

Early Intervention and Prevention Event

Tuesday 26thJune

Barmston Mere Training Centre

Sunderland

Contents

2.Acknowledgements

3.Introduction

4.Background

5.Programme

6.Feedback summary from young people

10.Evaluation responses

14.Actions identified by partners from the event

15.Conclusion and challenges

Acknowledgements

We would like to give a special thank you to the three young women who gave a presentation about Centrepoint’s Youth Educators programme. Also the team of young people from Barnardo’sheaded up by Sam McLellan a Young Apprentice on placement with YHNE, who jointly Chaired and facilitated the day.

Thanks also go to DePaul UK, Your Homes Newcastle and Durham Local Authority for their involvement and contribution to the day.

Once again, we were lucky to have young people from across the region and we would like to thank them and the teams who brought them along. Finally, thank you to the Centrepoint team for their role in facilitating and supporting the event.

Introduction

This event, focussing on the theme of ‘early intervention and prevention’ was the second of our quarterly themed eventsto be held this year. These events aim to bring young people from across the region together with service providers, commissioners and strategists to jointly share and learn, in order to better meet the needs of young people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

On the day, 20 young people from across the region participated in the event, feeding in their views and ideas to discussions.

The event sought to provide an opportunity to clarify our shared understanding on what ‘early intervention and prevention’ means, both to young people and workers in the field. We looked to share models of practice from education in schools on the realities of homelessness, to family mediation and planned pathways to living independently, including the benefits of local authorities implementing the 16-17 year old joint protocol as recommended by the Southwark ruling in 2009.

Presentations from the event can be found at:

For information on the Southwark ruling go to:

This document provides a summary of the event including the programme, key themes emerging from feedback on the day and the actions identified by organisations taking part on the day which they will progress.

The report will be posted on the website together with the actions identified from the day. In advance of our next event focussing on ‘Transitions’ to be held on 16th October, we will go back to all of the organisations who identified actions to ask how they have been progressed and what the result has been. Responses will be shared at the ‘Transitions’ event and will be posted on the YHNE website.

The evaluation responses from the event are positive and useful in suggesting areas to improve future events. This is only our second event bringing young people together with professionals. We recognise that there are still changesto be made in order to create an event with greater involvement and engagement of young people. The task of professionals is to do things differently; drop the jargon and acronyms we are all so used to using and produce creative and interesting ways of getting information across to young people and engaging them in discussion and debate.

Background

2009 – R (G) vs Southwark ruling in the House of Lords confirmed the duty of children’s services to accommodate children in need, rather than referring them into the local housing authority. Estimations in London show that the cost of this ruling could amount to around £2.4 million per council (Inside Housing, 7 Jan 2011). The prioritisation of early intervention and homelessness prevention could have a positive impact on local authority budgets.

In a piece of research completed by the Centre of Housing Policy, University of York for the DCLG (2008), the breakdown of relationships between young people and their step-/parents was found to be the dominant reason for the young people’s housing applications. 57% of the young people involved in this survey were found to be not in education, employment or training (NEET); this was five times that of young people in the general population. These are two early intervention opportunities available to organisations to contribute to the prevention of youth homelessness.

A research project on ‘Combating social exclusion among young homeless populations’ (CSEYHP) found that key institutional agents including justice, education and social services need to establish effective working relationships in order to support young people at risk of homelessness. Engagement with trusted adults from these services such as youth workers, teachers and employers is particularly important to these young people in order to avoid social exclusion and to develop their independence. Poor levels of educational attainment were found to be a major contributing factor to youth homelessness; young people in care and those with special educational needs were particularly at risk. Again, this research supports the view that early intervention and prevention opportunities are fundamental in combating youth homelessness in the UK.

References

CSEYHP Conference, 28/04/2011.

Inside Housing, 07/01/2011.

Insley, E. 2011. Homelessness prevention: Can we afford not to? Insley Consulting, for DePaul, UK.

Pleace, N., Fitzpatrick, S., Johnsen, S., Quilgars, D. and Sanderson, J., 2008. Statutory Homelessness in England: The

experience of families and 16-17 year olds. Centre for Housing Policy, University of York, for Department for Communities and Local Government.

Programme

• Introducing ‘early intervention and prevention’ - Val Keen, Service Development Director, DePaul UK

• Discussion Groups

• Work in schools – Bally, Sherene, Amy & Rachel Foyster, Youth Educators, Centrepoint

• Homeless quiz

• Mediation - Kim McMaster, Young People’s Services Manager & Kerry Shaw, Operational Manager, Your Homes Newcastle

• Activity

• 16 – 17 year olds Joint Protocol - Julie Wearmouth, Core Team Officer, Housing Solutions & Lesley Grieveson, Team Manager, Young People’s Service, Durham Local Authority

• YHNE update and feedback on Move-on event actions.

Feedback summary

This section gives a summary of feedback from discussion and activity throughout the event.

The first activity was discussion in geographic groups of young people and workers to clarify our understanding of ‘early intervention and prevention’ and the contribution they can make to tackling youth homelessness.

The discussion in groups confirmed a shred understanding on what we mean by ‘early intervention and prevention’ and also demonstrated how the two merge with shared components such as information, education, early involvement, a range of support and choice.

Early intervention – how it can prevent homelessness

Education – providing information, communication, homelessness and life-skills. It is important to introduce information to young people in schools, not scaring young people but spreading the message early. Awareness of homelessness as early as possible so young people know what to do.

Schools and youth clubs should have a drop-in and work more closely with families.

Information must be available to professionals, parents and carers.

Early identification of families and young people at risk. Addressing a potential problem before it happens.

Support - Personal support. Mediation. Family support. Financial support. Support from family members and friends.

Awareness-raising.Young people should be made aware of all of their choices, then they will be happier with the outcome.

Prevention, ‘stop a crisis occuring’ – how it can prevent homelessness

Awareness–services should be visible so that young people know where to go before problems arise. Public awareness should be increased. Give young people the information to make the best choices.

Mediation services – Mediation should be available in every area. Young people will be able to talk to someone. Parents can receive education. Young people and their parents/carers can discuss the problem together.

Homeless Quiz

The Youth Educators facilitated a True or False quiz about homelessness and offending in order to encourage discussion between young people and professionals; their aim was for both groups to consider the relationship between what law and policy says should happen, and what people have experienced in reality. The Youth Educators felt that it was important to show others an activity used in school education sessions - the sessions have been designed by the Youth Educators, and they use the quiz in order to find out what young people already know and to begin to challenge misconceptions. It also enables them to start to make the links between offending and homelessness.

The activity was well received, and the feedback positive; young people said they learnt something. Crucially, it did start discussions about personal experiences. It demonstrated that policies and law surrounding housing is often confusing, leading to potential difficulties for the worker and young people not understanding their rights. It helped to show that raising awareness and educating young people plays a valuable role.

Case-study activity

Following a presentation by Your Homes Newcastle on the ‘early intervention and prevention’ work they undertake, delegates were asked to work in their geographic areas and to think about a real young person who is at risk of becoming homeless. The groups were tasked with identifying what early intervention and preventative services currently exist and what else should be provided.

What is already provided in the region:

Homeless Servicesoperate in all local authorities offering a range of advice and possible mediation. Home visits should be part of the service. The services provided differ from one authority to the next.

Rent deposit scheme, provided by Centrepoint can help young people to secure a private rented property.

Team around the child and Team around the family including the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) offers and assessment of need and a coordinated, multi-agency response. Can mediate between young people and parents/carers.

Joint Protocols exist with Connexions, the Youth Offending Team, Housing Options and Children’s Services working together, however this is not happening across the whole of the region. The Durham example is a good one because it is coordinated by a designated agency.

Mentoring.

Family Recover Project, tier 2.

Specialist support services – drug and alcohol services,sexual health, relationships, counselling, employment and training.

Advice and information – Citizens Advice Bureaux, Housing Advice Centre’s.

What should be added to improve ‘early intervention and prevention’:

Early intervention. Better early intervention at a much younger age, targeting those at risk to avoid problems occurring. Services across the region that have been part of an early intervention response such as youth services and Connexions have been cut. Night Stop has lost funding.

Raising awareness – making young people aware of the realities of leaving home or becoming homeless.

Work in schools - Ensuring schools and teachers are aware and able to respond to early indictors of a problem or need. Having a ‘Pastoral worker’ in schools and colleges to ensure young people can get advice before a problem arises. The pastoral worker should be able to provide advice and choices and may be able to offer mediations.

Mentors/Peer education – young people need a mentor. Peer educators and mentors can speak to young people before a crisis arises, raising awareness of homelessness and what young people can do.

Youth Homeless Department – setting up a specific department or office for youth homelessness in every local authority.

Joint Protocol should operate in every area. Where it does exist it should be better organised with sustainable funding. It is important to share good practice.

Support servicesincluding lower level drug and alcohol services. Family support.

Mediation services should be promoted.

Evaluation

What young people said

10 out of the 20 young people who attended the event completed an evaluation.

Do you think your views were listened to?

9 of the young people felt that they were listened to. One of the responses does not relate to the question.

Comments:

‘Yes, as most of the workers were very easy to communicate with.’

‘Yes loud and clear as everyone had the chance to put across their point of view.’

Did you get the chance to share your opinions/ideas?

All of the young people felt they could share their ideas and opinions.

Comments:

‘ I usually said them during the presentation’.

‘I did get to share my opinionstoday’.

‘During the discussions and activities’.

‘I did through post-it notes. Very good idea.’

Is what you have learnt today useful to you?

1 partly

9 yes

Comments:

‘Partly, a lot of the info wasn’t relevant for me because it wasn’t my area.’

‘Extremely, I learnt a lot about the Joint Protocol within services.

Also peoples views were quite open and sharable.’

‘Very, enjoyed it. Thank you.’

‘About where to go if homeless’.

What would you change or add to improve the event?

Five young people said they wouldn’t change anything. One young person did not answer this question.

Comments:

‘Pair people better, Durham with Durham etc.’

‘More activities.’

‘Make it more fun.’

‘Nothing it was good.’

Anything else?

‘I thought it would be more proactive, seemed to be a lot of services telling us what they’re doing and what’s changing’

‘I enjoyed everything I now think I will be able to go to other events without being as scared as I was today’

What the professionals told us

Of the 30 workers who attended the event, 13 evaluations were completed.

What did you find useful?

• Networking
• Information
• Sharing practice
• Young people’s involvement

‘The amount of services available.’

‘Good variety of speakers – interactive activities. Youth Educators input very powerful. I think the agenda is a purposeful mix between young people telling their stories/professional bits. Feel the agenda is a little packed for the time available. Durham presentation may have been better first.’

‘Speaking to other organisations about provision in other areas of the region.’

‘Lots of factual info – how to get practical help was useful. Also networking.’

‘Having a presentation form young people that have transgressed the law and are paying the price was very useful and to a degree ‘path-blazing’. Their input and demeanour was very positive.’

‘All of the speakers.’

‘The info on DePaul – re connect, Youth Educators, Youth Housing Charter. Brilliant event from YP involved – refreshing.’

What have you learnt from today?

• Practice examples – peer education, work in schools, Joint Protocol, mediation.
• Information – in emergencies.

Comments:

‘More work needs to be carried out to pre 16’s and use Common Assessment Framework (CAF) more.’

‘Peer education is a really important and effective tool when looking at early intervention and prevention.’

‘We need to promote early intervention.’

What would you change or add to improve the event?

3 people wouldn’t change anything.

‘Louder – sometimes difficult to hear some speakers.’

‘More time.’ ‘More time for feedback from activities.’

‘More time to explore what is happening in each of the areas, the current scene as well as good practice.’

‘Something sweet after lunch, young people needed cake.’

‘More input from young people.’

‘In parts, too many facts – bit long.’

‘Felt young people didn’t speak within the groups – would it be worth having a young people only group so they can be heard but might be more likely to get involved.’

‘All good.’

Anything else?

‘One of the findings of the SNAP survey related to ‘complexity of need’ – can we have a focus on this?’

‘Really enjoyed the group activities following the speakers – useful and informative.’

‘Women from Acklam were great!!’

‘Venue great.’

‘Speed dating event?’

‘It has been a really interesting day the young people and facilitators were fantastic.’

‘It is very useful having workers and service users at the events.’

‘Good venue, easy to find and free parking. Well planned and organised.’

‘More young LGBT issue -, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender.’

Actions

How will you use what you have learnt and the feedback from young people to inform your work?

Organisation / Action
We’ar Out / Mediation with all parties involved.
Taking information away to adopt and inform clients who access our service.
Durham County Council / Awareness - promotion
Moving On / Inform young people of the services and organisations from the event.
Foundation – Time Out / Promotion of services available for young people – schools.
Contact schools and youth groups to propose delivering Homeless Prevention Workshops.
Gentoo Sunderland / Possibly set up a young people’s panel to get involved in the Charter and future events.
Trinity Youth/We’ar Out / Keep championing the cause.
Lifewise - Centrepoint / More involvement with Youth Educators to find out what they do to inform young people about the realities of homelessness.
Barnardo’s / Would like to see Peer Educators trained up in Northumberland using Barnardo’s Peer Mentors assessed via Northumberland Youth Homeless Forum.
Youth Voice / Early intervention to be considered as Peer Project.

Conclusion and challenges

Early intervention and prevention makes sense, it can help to ensure fewer young people become homeless and it is cost effective.

Val Keen in her presentation told us about Oldham Reconnect a Depaul project. Oldham Reconnect works with young people aged 15 ½-25 years old, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and with their families. The project provides one-to-one and family mediation with the aim of improving communication and building bridges so that young people can either remain at home, return home or have support from their families to live independently.

The project has evidenced how they save the council £26 for every £1 spent by preventing homelessness. Oldham Reconnect has prevented long-term homelessness in 74% of its referrals.