Page 88 - Getting it Right for Vulnerable Children and Young People in North Ayrshire

In order to maximise early intervention, we have procured the services of the Community Housing Advocacy Project to work in secondary schools across North Ayrshire to raise awareness of the reality of homelessness, the difficulties in accessing housing in both the social and private rented sector and the skills and responsibilities required to managing a tenancy. The project works with all nine secondary schools in North Ayrshire, providing awareness raising session to fourth year pupils, an extended programme to those individuals following an ‘Alternative Curriculum’, and Student Accommodation workshops to sixth year pupils. Total number of young people receiving housing advice and homeless prevention guidance within North Ayrshire schools during 2012 was 2158 2.1.2 Tenancy Support Services North Ayrshire Council (NAC) recognises that there are a number of vulnerable households resident within social rented housing, who for a variety of reasons are at risk of homelessness. A tenancy support service has been in place since 2004, providing support for tenants who are most at risk of homelessness due to breaches of their tenancy agreement. On an annual basis this service receives on average 500 referrals for support for tenant’s resident within NAC housing whose tenancy is at risk due to impending court action following breaches to the tenancy agreement. The majority of referrals are responded to by the NAC Tenancy Support Service. The remainder are referred on to specialist support provision delivered by partner agencies. 2.1.3 Barnardo’s Family support Services The specific focus of Barnardo’s is to support children within families to ensure that the risk of homelessness is minimised, therefore protecting the emotional wellbeing of children. This means that alongside addressing the factors which threaten homelessness, Barnardo’s also work with families to improve parenting skills and maximise the outputs of children by working closely with partners within education and health. During 2012/13, the Barnardo’s family support service provided support to 123 vulnerable families that were in danger of losing their tenancy. Referrals into the service come from a variety of sources including; housing, social services, health, registered social landlords as well as self- referrals. The service aims to reduce homelessness by supporting families to remain in their tenancy. 2.2 Pre-crisis intervention There are a range of targeted services working with households where risk factors impacting of the incidence of homelessness are identified. They are as follows: 2.2.1 Advice and Information The Council, in partnership with service providers across North Ayrshire delivering housing information and advice, developed an Advice and Information Strategy in 2008/09. Services have worked to ensure the following: • Improved range and quality of housing advice and information available across North Ayrshire, with key providers being trained to the national standards. • All three levels of national standards advice and information is available across North Ayrshire with the Council, the NA largest RSL and the specialist type 3 provider delivering accredited services. • There is a dedicated advice and information website which is well promoted and widely used. • There is a proactive approach to providing information to people at risk of homelessness including people in mortgage default and households impacted by Welfare Reform. • Specialist free advice and advocacy is available for owner occupiers in financial difficulty providing assistance in negotiations with mortgage lenders and money advice through to mortgage to rent negotiations and housing options. • There is a proactive approach to tenants and owner occupiers who have been served with foreclosure notifications by their landlord, bank or building society. 86