Response Form
Name:
Annette Blackstock
Carolyn Sampeys
Email:
annette.blackstock@wales.nhs.co.uk
carolyn.sampeys@wales.nhs.uk
Telephone:
01443 824180
Address:
Safeguarding Children Service
Public Health Wales,
Unit 1, Charnwood Court, Nantgarw,
Postcode:
CF15 7QZ
Organisation
(if applicable)
Safeguarding Children Service, Public Health Wales
Returning this form
The closing date for replies is 24 September 2015
Please send this completed form to us by email to:
HomelessnessPathwayConsultation2015@wales.gsi.gov.uk
Or by post to:
Homelessness Policy Team
Housing Policy
Welsh Government
Rhydycar Business Park
Merthyr Tydfil
CF48 1UZ
If you are sending your response by email, please mark the subject of your
e-mail Homelessness Pathway
Publication of responses
Responses to consultations may be made public – on the internet or in a report. Normally the
name and address (or part of the address) of its author will be published along with the
response, as this helps to show the consultation exercise was carried out properly.
If you would prefer your name and address not to be published, please tick here:
1
1. Is the process outlined in the Pathway clear for you to establish who
is responsible for each stage?
Yes
No
x
If not, why not?
The process given and the diagram of the pathway given were
clear. It seems that colour coding on the pathway is important
when looking to define which agency is responsible at every
stage. However, it may be more difficult for those who do not
have the pathway in colour format. We suggest that the key may
need to have another identifier such as agency initials. We also
thought that the pathway may benefit by clarifying that the
‘Offender Manager’ has overall responsibility throughout for
adults. In the case of young people and children, there may be
different professionals with overall responsibility.
2. Does the process outlined in the Pathway adequately address the
requirements of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 and Offender
Rehabilitation Act 2014?
Yes
x
No
If not, why not?
The pathway appears to link well with the Housing Act and we felt
that paragraph 45 of the notes demonstrates a reminder to
consider the needs of the whole family and dependants of the
offender. There appears to be a clear link and guidance to
referring to the Local Authority Housing, to support any family of
the offender.
We agreed that it is positive that the pathway for Adults has
consideration for a potential need for a Core Assessment
(paragraph 46). The pathway can encompass a holistic family and
child approach and / or adult vulnerability. Seeing the offender as
potentially part of a family – and noting that there will be an
effect on the wider family and perhaps children.
3. Does the Pathway adequately explain how organisations should
work together to tackle homelessness for those due to leave the
secure estate?
Yes
x
No
If not, why not?
The pathway seems to allow an opportunity for timely discussion
about the offender’s housing needs at key stages in the custody
process. We are hopeful that the ‘initial assessment tools’ will
allow discussion about any additional needs of an ‘adult at risk’
2
and / or a child in the secure estate (see question 5 for further
comments).
4. Do you feel the Pathway could be strengthened or made easier to
use? If so, please explain.
Yes
x
No
If yes, how?
We considered how the strength in the links between Local
Authority Housing and Corporate Local Authority could be
dependent upon each area, which may impact on the process
overall. Potentially, the pathway creates opportunities to make
early links using the initial assessment tools; agencies working
together across adults, young people and children.
Considering the needs of the pathway for a young person, we felt
that it is not clear that YOT is involved throughout.
5. Are there any other comments you would like to make about the
Pathway?
Yes
x
No
Overall, we felt that this is a positive and clear pathway. The
following are comments that are from our discussions:
On the pathway documentation we were not clear about what the
‘Basic Custody Screening Tool Part 1 or 2’. The attached form
‘section A’ onwards showed some assessment questions but we
could not be sure that this was the same as ‘Tools 1 and 2’.
The Personal Housing Plan form was useful.
From a safeguarding viewpoint, we felt that early identification of
Health, mental health, housing and family needs are crucial in
order to link with relevant agencies that may be already
supporting the individual or a family.
Does the screening tool gather information about wider needs or
concerns about validity of addresses given by an offender on
release? The support for housing also would be considering the
risk, needs and impact on local communities. There is a potential
for risks to the family as well as the offender themselves.
We felt it was positive that importance was given to considering
giving additional support, links and education for female
3
offenders. Paragraph 78 looks at suitability of accommodation
where primary carers are re-establishing connections with children
on leaving custody. Multi agency links and connected working
practice is key here to safeguard against risk to the child. Where
children may be ‘looked after’ during custody, there may be care
proceedings which are ongoing. Professionals overseeing
resettlement will need to consider managing or thinking about any
potential untoward contact with the children. There is a possibility
that the parent may pose a risk to their children, as well as pose a
risk to others.
We felt it was very positive that there is contact and review every
month during sentences with a young person or child regarding
housing needs. This shows pre planning and a positive repetitive
cycle in the pathway. Alongside this, the Core Assessment is
visible in the pathway for Young people.
Considering the needs of Young people, we thought about where
there is a potential change of status from child to adult during the
custody period. We surmised that YOT would remain responsible
for a young person, using their multi disciplinary approach to offer
the best support for the young person in transition to adult
services. However, the pathway of choice may not be clear.
Social Services and Well being Act set out the duties for Looked
After Children (LAC): Paragraph 93 and 98 recognises these
additional concerns and further for children ‘post’ LAC.
Considering the needs of the adult at risk, we felt it was positive
that there are opportunities in the pathway for third party
referrals when there are concerns about or priority needs.
4