leavers living in housing projects, the housing project worker was equally likely to
be mentioned as their closest key worker. Similarly, other young people in
difficulty reported feeling most supported by their housing project worker (41 per
cent), especially if living in housing project accommodation. Those young people
in difficulty living in temporary accommodation (with no access to a resident
professional) or living in another person’s place (which characterized more of the
other young people in difficulty) were the least likely to be in receipt of any key
worker support.
Voluntary organizations were one way young people were supported in
accessing good accommodation. For example, one care leaver, who at the time
of leaving care was living outside the local authority responsible for her care,
found herself without accommodation when she turned 18 years old. As she
preferred not to move back into her old local authority (who were responsible for
her care), she sought the help from a voluntary organization. They placed her
with a family until she could negotiate appropriate housing in her chosen area. In
such cases, voluntary organizations used their knowledge of the housing
legislation to advocate for the young person with the relevant authorities.
In addition, the young people demonstrated remarkable resourcefulness
with accessing appropriate or better housing. Examples of this include young
people’s accounts of declaring themselves homeless and seeking help under the
Homelessness Act 2002, such as one care leaver, who after becoming homeless
and sleeping rough for a couple of weeks, approached the council under the Act
and was eventually allocated bed and breakfast accommodation for about a year.
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