Ofsted has published a new report on local authority support for homeless children aged 16 and 17-years-old in England. The report sets out evidence from inspections of local authority children’s services, focus groups and data from direct work with young people who have experienced homelessness. Findings show: only 9% of the children and young people surveyed said they had been offered an advocate; a lack of suitable placements and other resources may influence local authorities’ decisions about whether children become looked after or not; and some local authorities were still using inappropriate settings as temporary or emergency accommodation to house homeless children.
Read the press release: Homeless children need better information and independent advocacy to help understand their rights
Read the report: Good decisions: supporting children aged 16 and 17 who need help when they are homeless
Source: Ofsted
Date published: 25 February 2025
