Accommodation
Working with local partners
The Housing Corporation
Access to support services is a key focus of Suitable, Sustainable, Supported: A strategy to ensure provision of accommodation for children and young people who offend, and both YOTs and the YJB have a role in lobbying for improved access to Supporting People funds. However, there is also a need to ensure that sufficient and varied housing provision is available to meet identified needs. We have been working to develop a partnership with the Housing Corporation, which should offer opportunities to influence the development of and access to new housing for young people at risk.
An early opportunity presents itself in the form of the Housing Corporation’s 2008-2011 National Affordable Housing Programme (NAHP) [opens in new window]. YOTs are in a position to support local housing associations in the development of bids, which could meet the needs of young people who have offended, as well as other vulnerable young people. This may include developing creative partnerships with third sector providers. To bid successfully, it is important that bids are supported with firm evidence of unmet housing need.
For further information, click to download the NAHP's prospectus [opens in new window] and the National Information for Bidders Guidance [Word document, opens in new window].
At a regional level, we have encouraged YJB regional managers to get involved in work on regional housing boards and to develop relationships with the Housing Corporation’s regional offices, in order to help assess the relative merits of bids and ensure young people who offend are represented appropriately.
At a local level, YOT accommodation officers should already be establishing levels of unmet need through their work to develop local accommodation strategies. We have supported the regional sharing of data, ideas and information by establishing regional fora, and sharing tools and emerging practice on this website.
YMCA England
The YJB and YMCA England have signed a Memorandum of Understanding [86Kb PDF, opens in new window] that provides a framework for the two organisations form a co-operative and mutually beneficial working relationship. This national alliance - applicable only in England - aims to promote more local partnership working between YMCAs and YOTs and YOT managers and practitioners are advised to make contact with their local YMCA to discuss what services they offer. Click to find out more about the launch of this alliance.
YMCA can, with the provision of appropriate risk assessments from YOTs, access and provide accommodation and associated support for children and young people who offend or who are at risk of offending. When offenders are released from custody, the YMCA can support them by finding suitable accommodation and helping them to resettle into the community.
Click to find out more about the YMCA Offender Services Unit [opens in new window]. YOTs are encouraged to make use of the accommodation services provided by their local YMCA via locally agreed protocols. For help and to be put in touch with your local YMCA contact your YJB head of region.