Under 18 kicked out by mum

verysillyguy06

Squiggly_Diddly wrote: »

In May 2009 there was a court ruling ("the Southwark judgement") which means a young person aged 16 or 17 is entitled to an assessment not just of their housing needs, but all other needs - and the duty to carry out this assessment falls upon Children's Services. This link takes you to a document which might explain it more clearly.
http://www.leavingcare.org/data/tmp/5618-11519.pdf

Suggest that you make contact tomorrow & stress the urgency - initial assessments (which I think is what this should be under) are normally meant to be carried out within 7 working days.

Yes, this is correct .......sorry, I thought someone had posted this before but this certainly another very important avenue to pursue....

Squiggly_Diddly

Indeed - I only know about it because I am doing an assessment under this judgement!! But they may need to be insistent & make sure they are not 'fobbed off' if Children's Services are a bit snowed under....

Lobell

cobbingstones wrote: »

She has the right to be accommodated under the children's act due to her being under 18.

Good luck

This is correct to an extent.

Any child under 18 years of age who has had to leave the family home for any reason is technically the responsibility of Social Services who has a duty of care to them. Althought the child can still be accommodated (appropriately) by the local council, Social Services should carry out an assessment (Common Assessment Framework) of the child's circumstances to determine what assistance they require. This is a holistic assessment which takes into consideration the accommodation, health, education/training needs etc of the young person.

Under 18s should not be accommodated in generic homeless hostels as placements have to be safe and appropriate for young people who are automatically considered vulnerable by virtue of their age, regardless of the capability/maturity of the individual. There are a range of accommodation options for under 18s; most of which will have an element of support attached to it to assist the person in developing the skills for independent living.

First port of call should definitely be Social Services - this does not mean the child will be 'taken into care' but it is the best way to ensure they will get everything they are entitled to.

verysillyguy06

Squiggly_Diddly wrote: »

Indeed - I only know about it because I am doing an assessment under this judgement!! But they may need to be insistent & make sure they are not 'fobbed off' if Children's Services are a bit snowed under....

Yes they are but its their legal responsibility and will have to be done...