PEER-REVIEWED FINAL EDITED VERSION OF ARTICLE PRIOR TO PUBLICATION

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PEER-REVIEWED FINAL EDITED VERSION OF ARTICLE PRIOR TO
PUBLICATION

PUBLISHED IN 2008: Simon, A. (2008) 'Early Access and use of housing: care leavers
and other young people in difficulty', Child and Family Social Work Volume 13, pp.91-
100.

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Abstract

This paper presents findings from a study of how care leavers access and use
housing services, and what they said had helped them to do so. The sample
comprised 80 care leavers, and, for comparison, a group of 59 young people
(termed ‘in difficulty’) who met certain criteria of disadvantage. Care leavers were
found to have fewer crisis transitions and less experience of homelessness,
together with a much higher level of autonomy and support in their first
accommodation, relative to other young people in difficulty. Several factors are
identified that, from the care leavers’ point of view, contributed to their better
access and use of housing services, including having family and friends to turn
to, and leaving care teams that negotiated on their behalf with housing services.
The paper concludes that care leavers had more positive housing experiences
than other young people in difficulty, helped by the improved preparation for
independence and ongoing support available to them from leaving care teams.

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