Homeless child, CS not acting

[LMJ17]

Hi there,

Long story short, 17, very nearly 18 yr old staying with me, supposed to be for couple of days but now been 6 weeks and I can’t let her stay any longer.

She’s been homeless since January, staying ‘temporarily’ at a family members home but got thrown out. (Not child’s fault) Her social worker is absolutely useless and lies through her teeth. All this time she’s not found child somewhere to live!

Basically, took child to children’s services, couldn’t see anyone in person, was on phone to out of hours and they refused point blank to find her emergency accommodation. Lots of phone calls and nothing. They said child would have to go back to abusive parent!

Went to police last night (appt to report abuse from parent) and they also said there’s nothing they can do! They did a referral to CS that they’ll pick up Monday morning.
I asked where the child can go overnight and they said there’s nothing they can do, so I said, ok so child will sleep on streets then, and they just didn’t respond.

I know CS and police have a duty of care and have to act as by law they can’t leave a child on the streets but they are just refusing. I’ve talked to shelter, very good but said it needs legal eyes but theres no time for that right now as it’s urgent.
I’ve arranged an advocate but that’s taken over a week and still haven’t got one.

What do you do when police and children’s services have a child literally on their doorstep and they refuse to help and leave them to sleep on streets?!

Thank you for any help/advice.

[Snoopy doggy dog]

The la has a responsibility to provide accomodation. The child should present as homeless to local authority housing.

They have nowhere to go so should be accomodated be clear they cannot return to yours cannot return to parents. If parents have or will provide a letter to say this all the better.

Are they a care leaver do they have a personal assistant they should support and that increases priority.

[LMJ17]

Thanks for reply, yes she went to LA but no one would even come down to see her and they refuse point blank to help with no reason as to why and they know she can’t return home.
No not a care leaver, she needs to be looked after though but they just won’t act.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear LMJ17

Welcome to the parents’ discussion board. Thank you for your post. My name is Suzie. I am Family Rights Group’s online adviser.
I can see that you are very worried about this young person, and she is lucky to have you looking out for her. The young person clearly needs appropriate support urgently.
I have responded to you in a private message and would be grateful if you could review.

Best wishes
Suzie

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Hi there,

Long story short, 17, very nearly 18 yr old staying with me, supposed to be for couple of days but now been 6 weeks and I can’t let her stay any longer.

She’s been homeless since January, staying ‘temporarily’ at a family members home but got thrown out. (Not child’s fault) Her social worker is absolutely useless and lies through her teeth. All this time she’s not found child somewhere to live!

Basically, took child to children’s services, couldn’t see anyone in person, was on phone to out of hours and they refused point blank to find her emergency accommodation. Lots of phone calls and nothing. They said child would have to go back to abusive parent!

Went to police last night (appt to report abuse from parent) and they also said there’s nothing they can do! They did a referral to CS that they’ll pick up Monday morning.
I asked where the child can go overnight and they said there’s nothing they can do, so I said, ok so child will sleep on streets then, and they just didn’t respond.

I know CS and police have a duty of care and have to act as by law they can’t leave a child on the streets but they are just refusing. I’ve talked to shelter, very good but said it needs legal eyes but theres no time for that right now as it’s urgent.
I’ve arranged an advocate but that’s taken over a week and still haven’t got one.

What do you do when police and children’s services have a child literally on their doorstep and they refuse to help and leave them to sleep on streets?!

Thank you for any help/advice.

Dear LMJ17

Thank you for posting. As you know, my name is Suzie, online adviser at Family Rights Group.

You may not yet have seen my private message to you but I encourage you to telephone our advice line on 0808 801 0366 to speak an experienced adviser

I am sorry that both you and the young person in question have had such a difficult time with the police and children’s services. You say in your post that she is nearly 18 hopefully, this will be months away rather than weeks. I say this, because once she attains 18 children’s services will not have a responsibility to her as an adult.

In your second post you that she was never a looked after child, children’s services do not now want to offer her accommodation which would mean she becomes looked after although not in care. A previously looked after child acquires certain benefits which might be the reason. You can read about the DUTIES children’s services have to a looked after child under a voluntary arrangement. Read this TABLE for more information.

You cannot offer a home to her but, if you were, she could request that children’s services provide accommodation to her under s.20 of the Children Act 1989. This is voluntary agreement for them to provide a place for her and if she chose to be with you, children’s services would assess you as a foster carer and pay the appropriate allowance. However, if her preference is independence, they could offer semi-independent or supported housing.


Read more about s.20 voluntary arrangement . Also, the police made a referral to children’s services you can read the procedures that should be followed when children’s services receive a referral. The police have a safeguarding duty to children as do all professionals and the wider community.

Children Services have a duty to young persons 16/17 who are homeless and a wider duty to children in their area who are in need. This young person appear to satisfy both for support from children’s services. As she has left an abusive home, children’s services at the very least should be investigating this especially if there are younger children in the home. Are you aware of any previous children’s services involvement with this family? Here is information about child in need

There is a housing protocol for 16/17 who are homeless. the government guidance which you can read and will be able to refer to when challenging children’s services failure to act.

I think it might be helpful to contact the local Member of Parliament (MP) to assist you with children’s services. The MP is likely to write to the Director of Children’s services regarding the failure to act to support this young person. You can also write to the Director of Children’s Services on behalf of the young person.

Hope you will find this information helpful but do post again if you need to or alternatively you can telephone our advice line for more advice as suggested above.
Best wishes

Suzie