SCSH welcomes Ministers recognition that care leavers are being failed, but warns of need for adequate resources if homelessness to be prevented.

The Scottish Council for Single Homeless welcomed Young Peoples Minister Cathy Jamieson’s recognition today that young people leaving care are not receiving the support they should. With between a fifth and a half of young homeless people having been in care (National Inquiry into Youth Homelessness, 1996) and 26% of Rough Sleeper Initiative service users having a care background (Interim Evaluation of RSI in Scotland, 1999) the need for drastic improvements in the way young people are supported to leave the care system has long been recognised by SCSH.

However, as the Head of SCSH’s Youth Unit says, it is now vitally important that the necessary resources and regulatory framework are put in place to ensure local authorities meet their obligations.

"With planned removal of benefit entitlement, including housing benefit, from 16 and 17 year old care-leavers and the transfer of DWP resources to local authorities, it is absolutely vital that the current "patchy" service is improved. Today’s Ministerial recognition of current failings is an important step in that direction. It is now crucial that the resources transferred to local authorities are adequate to meet currently unmet need, and that guidance and regulation is robust enough to ensure local authorities deliver. If not young care leavers will continue to face scandalous levels of homelessness."

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Notes

• Education and Young people’s Minister Cathy Jamieson’s comments today are in response to publication of York University research commissioned by the Executive into the way local authorities discharge their duties under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 to promote throughcare and aftercare for looked after young people
• SCSH is the national membership organisation for individuals and organisations working with homeless people
• SCSH is represented by John Dickie, Head of Youth Unit, on the Executive’s Throughcare and Aftercare Working Group