Accommodation
National Assistance Act 1948
The National Assistance Act may be a useful tool where YOTs are still dealing with young people over the age of 18.
Section 21 (1) (a) states that:
A local authority may, with the approval of the Secretary of State and to such extent as he may direct, shall make arrangements for providing -
(a) Residential accommodation for persons aged eighteen or over who by reason of age, illness, disability or any other circumstances are in need of care and attention which is not otherwise available to them…
It may be possible to call upon social services to exercise a duty under this piece of legislation where a young person aged 18 or over is denied access to housing under the homelessness legislation and lacks the necessary resources to find and maintain alternative accommodation for themselves, e.g. if they are destitute.
See also the 2004 updated guidance on the Act on the Department of Health’s website [opens in new window].