Homelessness: Advocacy and Rights of Care Leavers 18+

A significant number of the referrals we receive via our helpline are from Care Leavers facing homelessness, or in unsuitable/temporary accommodation. Many of these Care leavers tell us they have asked their leaving care team for help and have not received it, often living in hostels or on the street and unsure of entitlements to social housing.

For this two part course, Scarlett Cowling Specialist Advocate 16+ advocate will develop your understanding on the rights for adult Care Leavers facing homelessness and what we can do to support Care Leavers to find safe and suitable accommodation.

This course is more advanced learning. This is suitable for those with some knowledge on the topic. It is beneficial to attend ‘Homelessness: Advocacy and Children’s rights’ before attending this course if you have not done so already.

Learning Objectives:

In the two part course we will:

1. Introduce what it means to leave care and identify categories of care leavers.

2. Further understand the experience and engage effectively with adult care leavers who are homeless or at risk of homelessness

3. Discuss relevant legislation including: The Children Act 1989 and the Children Leaving Care Act 2000, including homelessness legislation and ‘priority-need’

4. Recognise when to consider a ‘Retrospective care status’

5. Feel confident how to support children and young people to access the complaints process and solicitors