Accommodation proposed to support homeless 16 and 17 year olds in Barnsley

The borough’s Multiple Needs Service, for people aged 16-24 has provided accommodation and support to disadvantaged youngsters since 2017.

It provides support for young people who are experiencing homelessness, substance misuse, poor mental and physical health, contact with the criminal justice system and domestic violence or abuse.

The service is due to be recommissioned, with the contract, worth almost £500,000 being offered via a “competitive” process, with a revised specification to support a growing demand for support.

A report to BMBC’s cabinet states that demand for the existing accommodation is high – its 23 units saw a 95 per cent occupation rate during between April 2021 and March 2022.

During this time period, almost 500 young people contacted the council’s housing team for help with homelessness- on average nine per week.

The service provides accommodation at Quarry View, and longer-term accommodation is provided at Highfield Terrace, with mixed ages.

As part of the recommissioned contract it is proposed that Quarry View will be used to accommodate 18-24 year olds and Highfield Terrace will be used toaccommodate 16-17 year olds.

The report states: “Currently, all ages are mixed in the accommodation element of the Multiple Needs Service, however, in recognition of the volume of under-18 presenting for support, alongside the unique needs experienced by this cohort, an option to create a dedicated provision for this age group is included in the recommendations of this report.

“Young people aged 16 and 17 have a particular challenge, as they cannot legally hold a tenancy without a guarantor until they reach 18.

"They typically have fewer life skills and require more intensive support.

“It is our recommendation that the current specification is revised to allow the provision of a dedicated accommodation facility for 16–17-year-olds to address the gap highlighted in the needs assessment”

Councillor Wendy Cain, cabinet support member for public health and communities, said; “This service can be a real lifeline for some young people and with the correct delivery can help them to move on to independent living.”