Council to seek new housing support for vulnerable young people

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Tuesday, 26 May 2020 22:19

By Carmelo Garcia - Local Democracy Reporter

Herefordshire Council is expected to commission a housing support service for vulnerable young people in the county.

Council leaders say this would be complimented by prevention services specifically developed for vulnerable young people aged 16 to 25.

A report to cabinet says officers have sourced new premises through a local registered housing provider whila a specialist provider is sought to offer varying levels of support to young people with different needs.

This new service will not accommodate children in care under the age of 16 and will form part of Herefordshire’s growing offer of accommodation to young people.

Officers say the service will improve outcomes for local vulnerable young and focus on meeting their individual needs through the provision of good quality accommodation, a clear pathway and flexible support options.

The housing itself will be provided in Hereford by a local registered housing provider but the accommodation based outreach and mediation support will be commissioned from a specialist support provider via a competitive procurement process.

The support services will operate from the accommodation in Hereford and outreach and mediation services will support young people throughout the county.

Procurement will commence in June 2020, and its rollout is expected to align with the completion of building works and the end of an existing supported accommodation contract for young people on October 31.

If all is approved, the proposed new service would begin on 1 November, this year.

Senior councillors will consider these proposals at a cabinet meeting on May 28.