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Contents

1. Placements for Care Leavers
2. Supported Lodgings
3. Supported Housing
4. Bed and Breakfast Accommodation
5. Semi Independence Projects
6. HMOs - House of Multiple Occupancy
7. In Addition

1. Placements for Care Leavers

In the main for the 16-18 year olds, Bromley prefers to accommodate in supported housing, supported lodgings and semi-independent accommodation. These providers generally work to a higher standard in terms of provision of accommodation and the support they provide.

However, these types of accommodation provider are not currently either registered or inspected by any central inspection body (the exception being Housing Associations which are affiliated to the Housing Corporation).  Discussions have taken place on establishing a set of standards for all London boroughs but this is still a 'work in progress'.

Whichever type of provision is being sought or provided to a young person a referral form must be completed and passed to the Children's Commissioning Team.  This is to ensure that all the young people (under 18) for whom Bromley is providing a service are recorded on the CCT database. (The statistics for the government returns are produced from this database, so it essential they are accurate).  It is also essential that this information is kept up to date, so if a young person changes accommodation and or moves out of the system, the CCT must be informed and the database updated.

All acceptances into the care system (including Unaccompanied minors) must be approved by a Principal Service Manager (or above) and must have approval of funding through the Placements Panel. See Funding Panel Procedures. Placement panel will also direct on the timing for a young person to transfer from the care system into leaving care provision.

In the absence of a specific contract, a standard contract will be given to providers of placements.  It is important that providers are told this at the point of agreeing a placement because:

1. many of these providers are not used to working with a contracted placement,
2. there is a need to ensure that they will sign and send back the contract, and
3. they need to be aware that there are terms and conditions, which we expect them to meet.

It is important that staff do not sign any paperwork sent  by the provider unless or until it has been checked by the CCT group manager, contracts officer or a principal service manager, as the terms and conditions may conflict with existing agreements and in which it can be very difficult to ensure that either party is held to the terms. Additionally no staff can sign documents agreeing to financial commitments unless they have been given specific delegated authority and this will normally be to a specific level, e.g. up to £500.  (For financial regulations you must count the value of the contract for a year or the duration of the contract to determine whether it falls within a signatory's financial limits).

For all placement finding that is required by the Children's Commissioning Team, it is essential that the team is provided with an up to date referral form.

The process under which placements for the semi-independent provision is used needs to be reviewed as these providers quite often do not own the freehold or even a leasehold on many properties.  As such as a referral is made to them they will attempt to secure a flat / bedsit in the area most suitable for the young person.  Because they don't own the properties they often secure the flats on a 3-6 month letting via a letting agency or directly with the property owner / landlord.

Therefore a minimum 3 month commitment should be made when referring to these providers and an open discussion held on the longer term plans for the young person. 

For each of these placements you will need to confirm the details of the placement to the CCT Contracts Officer in order that the placement agreement / contract can be raised.  Please be careful to include all the details of any terms or services that you have negotiated so that these can be included in the contract.

Below there are some definitions around the different type of leaving care provision because it can be a bit confusing - especially when other authorities and providers use the same terms for different things.

2. Supported Lodgings

Supported Lodgings is care provision within a family home.  Usually this would be a foster family.  The young person continues to live within the home but has a much-reduced 'care' package and receives more independent living skills support from the foster parents. 

Claire Cornelius manages these placements.

3. Supported Housing

A contract/SLA is in place with Broomleigh Housing Association identifying 6 multi-occupancy properties (total 16 occupants) for Bromley's 16+ Leaving Care young people.

A contract is also in place with Kelsey Housing Association for 11 Highland Road, Bromley.  A 'hostel' with 6 flats and 'Responsible Adult' accommodation.  This contract has been in place since 1999.  Look Ahead Housing & Care Ltd. provides the support at Highland Road, and for which there is also an agreement.

Claire Cornelius manages this accommodation and the contracts.

4. Bed and Breakfast Accommodation

This is sourced through Bromley's Housing Department.

5. Semi Independence Projects

Referrals to these resources are the responsibility of the Children's Commissioning Team.

Currently no agreements are in place and every placement is made on a spot purchase basis.

Current main providers are :

KroSSRoads
16+ Independent Living Project
Amadeius (previously 16+ Team)
Ownlife
JTS Chaps have had discussions but we've not yet placed
Netpex

Although there are many more on the CCT Resource database.

6. HMOs - House of Multiple Occupancy

These are houses where individuals are allocated a room but where there are also shared facilities, (kitchen, bathroom and occasionally a lounge) but where staff are not present on a fixed or permanent basis.  This accommodation should also contain ablution facilities within the individual rooms.

Generally Bromley do not place in HMOs (except for UAMs) although this may change with discussions currently in progress for an assessment house to be established for asylum seekers when they are first referred to Bromley.

7. In Addition

Property Companies such as Hillgate Properties, DOB Properties, Mono Properties, Christine Sophocli also accommodate the 16+ Leaving Care and UAM/AS on a spot purchase basis.

Referrals to these resources are now the responsibility of the Children's Commissioning Team, however the LCT also make referrals and placements directly to these organisations, and in particular for the Asylum Seekers.

The CCT must be notified of these placements so that contracts can be raised and the database updated.  The LCT should ensure that the accommodation is visited to ensure it meets reasonable living standards, this includes :

• Ensuring that all Gas, Electricity Landlord certificates are up to date,
• Fire exits are clear and evacuation drills are held regularly
• That the property is meets general health & safety criteria,
• Is vermin free
• Appropriate insurance is held by the landlord/owner (you should ensure that the provider knows of any criminal convictions for the young person that may impact on the provider's insurance, risk assessments and security measures, e.g. conviction for arson.
• That all staff working with the young people have a current enhanced CRB clearance

End