Supported Accommodation for Young People, Care Experienced Young People and Young Parents, aged 16-25 (PME)

Swindon Borough Council (SBC) are looking to tender a service to provide Supported Housing for Care Experienced Young People (CEYP) and Young People (YP) who present as homeless and young parents, all aged between 16-25.

Local authorities in England have a strict duty to secure accommodation for homeless 16-17 year olds, often under children's services (Section 20, Children Act 1989), while?those aged 18-25 are generally owed duties under the Housing Act 1996 if they are in "priority need," such as being care leavers, pregnant, or vulnerable. This contracted service represents the Local Authority’s main provision towards delivering this duty.

Key Housing Duties (16–25):

16–17 Year Olds:?Considered "children in need." Local authorities must provide accommodation if they are lost, abandoned, or the person caring for them cannot provide accommodation. They cannot simply be referred to housing services; they must be assessed by social services.

18–25 Year Olds (Care Experienced Young People):?Young people under 21 who spent time in care between 16 and 18 are automatically in priority need.

18–25 Year Olds (Vulnerability):?Young people may be considered in priority need if they are vulnerable due to a disability, serious health condition, or being a care experienced young people.

Emergency Housing:?If the local authority has reason to believe a 16-25 year old is homeless, eligible, and in priority need, they must provide interim accommodation.?

Duty to Prevent Homelessness:

For all applicants under 25, local authorities must, by law, work with them to take reasonable steps to prevent or relieve homelessness within 56 days.

The successful supplier will work collaboratively with Swindon Borough Council and partner agencies, whilst taking a proactive approach to delivering high quality services in support of Swindon’s stated improvement journey.