Councillor demands end to the use of B&B for care leavers (Bradford Liberal Democrats)

Bradford Liberal Democrats <info@bradfordlibdems.org.uk>

Councillor demands end to the use of B&B for care leavers

July 8, 2009 1:56 PM

bed and Breakfast sign Cllr Jeanette Sunderland, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Bradford Council, has expressed her deep concern about the number of young people leaving the care of the council who are still being placed in bed and breakfast accommodation.

She said,

"I asked the council how many care leavers were being housed in bed and breakfast accommodation because in spite of the council's commitment in December 2008 that this would stop, I had heard that young, homeless people were still being placed there.

I was horrified with the answer I received. Fifteen care leavers have been in bed and breakfast in the last year including one who has been there since September 2008 and three who have been there for between four and five months. One young person was housed ' as a last resort' for five weeks over Christmas in a place which I firmly believe is completely unsuitable.

Council members have agreed to end this policy and set up supported lodgings instead and as recently as May this year, the council put out a press statement quoting the Executive Member for Services to Children and Young people praising the council's achievements in the way provides support for young care leavers.

This is simply not good enough. The practice of parking young, vulnerable care leavers in bed and breakfast must stop immediately and the Executive Member must give a clear assurance that this will happen."