Agenda and minutes

A member with a personal interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered must disclose to that meeting the existence and nature of that interest at the commencement of that consideration, or when the interest becomes apparent.

A member with a personal interest in a matter also has a prejudicial interest in that matter if the interest is one which a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice the member's judgment of the public interest and if this interest affects their financial position or the financial position of a person or body as described in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct and/or if it relates to the determining of any approval, consent, licence, permission or registration in relation to them or any person or body described in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct

None reported

To consider the response from Strategic & Community Housing Services to the questions from the review panel. 

10.1          The panel was keen to understand the relationship between Haringey Strategic and Community Housing Services, Children and Young People Service and Adult Services. In addition to receiving written responses to a list of questions constructed by the panel (appendix 1), The Head of Housing Needs & Lettings, Strategic & Community Housing Services (SCHS) was invited to a meeting of the Review Panel to outline the services on offer to this client group.  In response to a question on how many young adults in this category were housed by the Council, including a breakdown in terms of gender age, and ethnicity the Panel learned that SCHS did not have precise numbers in this group, however the Special Needs Team had dealt with over 200 cases which included families with young adults. When a young person who was part of a household that was homeless or potentially homeless and to whom the Council had a statutory responsibility under the Housing Act 1996, they could be assisted initially with temporary accommodation and ultimately permanent accommodation.  This was dependent on other factors and included an assessment process involving the Council and the Special Needs Team where there are physical or mental health issues. 

10.2          The Panel noted that the current lettings policy (under review) awards specific points for medical, mental health, lack of facility or property conditions.  This, along with a dedicated housing advice and options team meant that the SCHS could also assist by exploring alternative options such as resettlement in the private sector with support. 

10.3          Those young people with physical disabilities needing specific adapted accommodation might prove difficult to house as adapted units were very scarce.  The SCHS was working with Housing Association partners to increase the supply of this type of accommodation.  Whilst the council was looking at increasing supply, it was acknowledged that there were a number of competing priorities and there were less than 100 adapted properties in the borough. It was felt that the Council was reactive rather than proactive in this area, however there were discussions about the possibility of providing a quota system with a number of units set aside to be able to more effectively meet the needs of different client groups with specialist needs. The panel also noted that there was no Service Level Agreement between relevant services

Referrals to SCHS

10.4          The Panel asked SCHS whether they could identify how young people in transition were referred to them, whether the system worked and the possibility that some clients might be in need but were unknown to them. The Panel heard that it was not always easy to identify this client group as there were no specific monitoring arrangements in place in the Housing Service to distinguish them.  As a result of the scrutiny investigation, the panel learned that dialogue was to take place with SCHS colleagues in Social Care in order that appropriate mechanisms could be developed to identify and capture this specific need. Only a small proportion of households/young adults were formally  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

11.1    The Connexions Service was established in 2001 in order to provide a comprehensive service to meet young people’s need for information, advice and support. Following the publication of Every Child Matters, Next steps, children’s trusts were set up in each local authority area. From 1^st April 2008 funding which had been directly provided to each Connexions Partnerships went directly to all local authorities through the new Area Based Grant with local authorities now having responsibility for delivery. The panel met with the Partnership Team Leader in the Connexions Targeted Service and the Network Areas Team Leader in the Connexions Universal Service and lead for work with young people with Learning Difficulties and Disability in Haringey.

11.2    The Panel was informed that Local authorities must provide all 13-19 year olds and those up to 25 with a learning difficulty or disability with reasonable face to face access to a Personal Advisor, to provide information, advice, guidance and advocacy to targeted support services. Haringey Connexions Service work to Section 139A[1] Assessment in Haringey the person’s Connexions Personal Advisor (PA) is responsible for ensuring that the assessment is carried out.  The PA works closely with the young person, the parent and/or carers, the current school, Pupil Referral Units, college or work based learning provider, and other professionals involved in supporting the young person, to ensure the assessment of their education and training needs.  The transition from school to a new learning establishment can be a difficult time for any person.  Those with learning difficulties are at risk of not making a successful transition.  As a result young people with learning difficulties are less likely to participate in education, or training post 16 as those without LD, and are twice as likely to be NEET (not in education, training or employment).

11.3         A Section 139A Assessment is an assessment of a young person with

a learning difficulty that results in a written report of their education and training needs and the provision required to meet those needs. In Haringey the person’s Connexions Personal Advisor (PA) is responsible for ensuring that the assessment is carried out.  It is essential that the PA works closely with the young person, the parent and/or carers, the current school, Pupil Referral Units, college or work based learning provider, and other professionals involved in supporting the young person, to ensure the assessment of their education and training needs.  The transition from school to a new learning establishment can be a difficult time for any person.  Those with learning difficulties are at risk of not making a successful transition.  As a result young people with learning difficulties are less likely to participate in education, or training post 16 as those without LD and are twice as likely to be NEET (not in education, training or employment.  – who they work with.

11.4         The Connexions Personal Advisor (PA) has to be invited to the 14

panel meeting and subsequent reviews and must attend both the transition review and the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11^TH February 2010 at 14:00hrs – Civic Centre CR2

11 February 2010

To consider any items admitted at item 2 above.

There were no new items of urgent business