Councils warned to never house vulnerable young people in B&Bs

The Local Government Ombudsman issued the warning following an investigation into Lancashire County Council, which found that a teenage boy who was placed in the care of the council due to his violent behaviour was placed in a B&B for five days.

His placement was made without any consultation with the council’s housing department and despite concerns raised by the Lancashire Youth Offending Team. During this time the council did not carry out a new assessment of his needs, which is required under statutory guidance for homeless young people.

The Local Government Ombudsman, Dr Jane Martin, said: “Placing homeless young people in bed and breakfast accommodation – even in an emergency – breaches statutory guidance, which exists to ensure vulnerable young people are not left to cope unsupported, alone and at risk of exploitation.

“We shared our findings on councils’ inappropriate use of B&B accommodation to house families and children in a national report in 2013, and it is troubling that I am still reporting on individual cases like this.

“I am particularly concerned that the council is struggling to meet its obligation to have sufficient appropriate accommodation, and is therefore unable to confirm this situation would not arise again. The publication of this report gives local councillors the opportunity to ask questions of their authority to establish whether it can accommodate vulnerable homeless young people like the teenager involved here.”

A spokesperson for Lancashire County Council said: "When young people are in danger of becoming homeless we do all we can to ensure they are kept safe, including arranging temporary accommodation to keep them off the streets.

"Following on from the recent complaint, the Ombudsman has recommended that we review some of our processes. We have put together an action plan and are working with our partners to make the improvements they have suggested."

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