National Youth Homelessness Scheme
Case Study 5: Community Host Scheme for BME young people: Designing the Project - Lambeth
Subject: Action Learning
Organisation:
YMCA England, LB Lambeth (external link), South London YMCA
Project Outline
Homelessness in Lambeth is disproportionately high among ethnic communities in the borough - ethnic minority households account for about seventy-five per cent of homelessness decisions and temporary accommodation occupants. LB Lambeth and South London YMCA offer a variety of accommodation and support options to young people in general, but consider there to be a gap in terms of a service specifically targeted at BME young people which meets their cultural and individual needs.
The Community Host Scheme is based around the principle of developing a community-based response to the over-representation of black young people entering the culture of local authority homelessness provision. This will be achieved by providing black young people aged 16-17 with community-based accommodation and appropriate support to enable them to make the transition to independence and develop full lives.
The use of community hosts is about inspiring, engaging and involving them in helping to tackle youth homelessness and ensure better outcomes for black young people. The focus for young people is on personal development in terms of relationships, improving life chances and breaking a culture of dependency.
Referrals
Prior to making a formal homeless application, all young people presenting as homeless to LB Lambeth Council are referred to the Family Support Service. The service will carry out an interview with the young person and their parents regarding issues at home in attempt to resolve problems. Following an interview with the Service, where appropriate the young person and their family will be referred to a more formal mediation service such as Alone in London. Referrals into the Community Host Scheme will come from the Family Support Service. In some cases, it will be that placing young people in an alternative family environment can assist in giving both parties perspective on issues.
Context
The scheme sits within a system which comprises related services such as a parenting support programme, time-out accommodation and supported accommodation. Placements will last between eight weeks and two years. Following placement, each young person will either move into their own tenancy (with support as appropriate) or return to the family home.
Staffing the Project
The YMCA aim to appoint two members of staff to operate the scheme - a Community Host Manager and a Community Host Support Worker. Their objective will be to: "Improve black young peoples' life chances by encouraging and supporting them to take advantage of education, employment and training opportunities."
The staff will be appropriately skilled both in working with / in a diverse community, and in working with young people who have a range of issues.
Outcomes for young people will include:
- Experienced staff who can provide an effective and strong service
- Staff who are committed to the project and its work
- Knowledgeable staff who can work with young people and other agencies to ensure they receive a 'tailor made' service
- Staff who can generate respect by setting clear boundaries
Job descriptions and person specifications can be found in the Action Learning tools section of this site.
In order to effectively run the scheme, the project manager needs to understand exactly what the project as a whole is seeking to achieve. Workers will need the ability to see both perspectives as they support young people in their personal and social development, and support hosts in providing a safe and secure environment for the young person. All these issues should be carefully considered in constructing a job description and person specification and carrying out interviews.
Emphasis on training and induction will be a key part of the process as the selection and development of the right staff will have a profound effect on the success of the scheme.
Recruitment of Hosts
The YMCA aims to recruit hosts who are locally based families and individuals, and who can: "Provide support to help black young people gain the skills and confidence to move on to their own accommodation and sustain independent living."
The host recruitment process will be positive and constructive, whilst also rigorous and transparent.
Outcomes for young people will include:
- A space where they can have their needs met and find encouragement and support
- Alternative source of accommodation for young people requiring a safe, culturally familiar environment
- Opportunity for 'breathing space' and a neutral perspective on issues
- Opportunity to develop skills for independent living
- The establishment of positive role models in their life.
The scheme will recruit a number of host families or individuals with a view to placing at least 15 young people with hosts during the course of the year.
Potential host families must pass a series of checks before they are permitted to become hosts. They will also engage in a training programme which will equip them with skills such as communicating with young people, getting young people to take responsibility for themselves, and showing them how to deal with different issues. Hosts will the use these skills to provide a supportive developmental environment in which the young person will live for a period of time. The training will be delivered by an external organisation working with the project staff.
When a young person in need of accommodation has been identified, they will make an initial visit with a YMCA worker to meet the host family and look at the accommodation. Following this visit, both parties will be given a few days to consider the suitability of the placement, and only then once both have decided they wish to proceed will any paperwork be signed. Hosts are permitted to offer the young person to remain with them beyond the initial 8-12 week period, for a period of two further years with a review every six months, and then until the young person becomes 18 years old, if appropriate and both parties are in agreement.
Hosts will develop a positive and supportive relationship with one another through networking and sharing experiences, motivating and encouraging.
Service Users
The project aims to provide a service which is primarily aimed at young people aged 16 and 17 from BME backgrounds, who are vulnerable and at risk of becoming homeless. It will also provide some accommodation to 18 and 19 year olds who are non-priority homeless and in housing need.
Outcomes for young people will include:
- New achievements, development and growth in an environment which is supportive and encouraging
- Positive and strong relationships with their support networks
- Secure accommodation - whether this is back at home or in the young person's own tenancy
- An additional housing option for those of an age where many other possibilities are ruled out or in extremely short supply
- A project which is run by an agency who are familiar, and accessible, to young people.
Once the young person has signed up for the scheme, they must work with the Community Host Support Worker to construct a personal support plan (around education, employment and training) and to work towards the achievement of targets within it. The young person will also work with their hosts to break cycles of vulnerability, low self worth and other issues which may have caused their homelessness. If appropriate, they will participate in mediation and in the rebuilding of their relationship with their family, with the overall goal of either returning home or making a planned move within the support network of the family.
Project Management
South London YMCA will hold direct responsibility for the successful delivery of this project. LB Lambeth Council will provide additional guidance and support as and when required, including the provision of some statistical monitoring information.
Communities and Local Government will also oversee the work of the Action Learning Centre, and YMCA England will facilitate co-ordination and networking between this scheme and the five others. Supporting People, as a joint funder of the scheme will also undertake a monitoring and evaluation role, considering the work and achievements of the project in relation to the targets set out in Supporting People Performance Indicators and the Quality Assessment Framework.
