Page 48 - Getting it Right for Vulnerable Children and Young People in North Ayrshire

at the point of homelessness there are high levels of confusion and anxiety for children as they are removed from everything they know and placed into unfamiliar surroundings away from extended family and friends. There are additional risks for older homeless children leaving the family home. For many they are away from the boundaries, structure and guidance of their wider support networks for the first time. There is a risk of loneliness and isolation leading to wider risk of sexual exploitation including prostitution, exploration of illegal substances and alcohol abuse. Breaking the cycle of homelessness for young people can be very difficult; this is compounded by disengagement from relationships formed prior to homelessness. The need for early identification and intervention is therefore necessary. There is a need for an integrated prevention approach to minimise the corrosive and damaging effect that homelessness has on children. We need to work in tandem to tackle the causes of homelessness in order to ensure effective and sustainable homeless prevention. Pro-active and early intervention, based on a well understood knowledge of the local triggers of homelessness, will have more impact than traditional re-active responses to homelessness. Appendix 3 details the North Ayrshire homelessness triggers and risk factors and the local services available. It also includes sign post information for agencies where they identify any child or family at risk of homelessness. Getting It Right For Vulnerable Children and Young People in North Ayrshire DRAFT V1.1 March 2014 Page No:48