Why?
Care leavers were uncertain about their accommodation options and felt there was a lack of transparency in the process. Wandsworth produced an accommodation guide and worked to include young people more in decision making.
What?
Future House is a bi–monthly meeting of young people with housing and leaving care managers to discuss housing related issues.
Since it started it has overseen the production of a myth busting accommodation guide – developed jointly with young people. It sets out the different housing options and scenarios young people may face.
Monthly multi-agency housing meetings are held. These are jointly chaired by housing and leaving care managers and look at all requests for social housing and rent guarantees. Young people are encouraged to attend. The panel has been a great way for young people to have a meaningful role in decisions about their future housing needs. It has helped young people understand the process.
Young people have also been involved in contract monitoring meetings. There has been a focus on issues that are important to young people – such as staff turnover, making sure staff offer consistent responses, levels of repairs and access to Wi-Fi.
Impact
Housing continues to be a challenge in Wandsworth, but in their recent YLBC survey, more young people reported that they feel safe in their homes and neighbourhoods.
