Gatekept homeless teenager accommodated by local housing authority
28 Sep 2023 | Muna Adam
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Miss X, a 17 year old whose details are anonymised to protect her privacy, left her family home in March 2022 following an argument with her step-parent, which resulted in the police being called. Her relationship with her step-parent had been deteriorating over a period of time and she no longer felt safe in the family home. Miss X began sofa-surfing with friends. There was no one else she could stay with and no where else she could go.
Miss X’s case came to the attention of social services in around March 2022. Social services attempted to mediate with Miss X’s family but the family was not cooperative. Miss X told social services she could not go back home and wanted to be accommodated as a child in care. Social services were not helpful – Miss X remembers being told in a meeting with her allocated social worker that “bad things can happen” in care.
Miss X approached us in September 2022 and we immediately wrote an urgent letter to the local housing authority, advising that we would issue urgent judicial review proceedings if the client was not immediately accommodated. Social services spoke to the parents of the friend Miss X was currently staying with, who agreed to accommodate her over the weekend.
Within 3 working days of our letter, Miss X was accommodated by the local housing authority as a child in care. We stayed on the case a little longer to give Miss X advice on her rights as a child in care and to make sure these were upheld. We also wanted to make sure that the local authority would provide her with care-leaver support when she turned 18.
We closed the case with Miss X having a full a care-leaver package of support, thriving, and with intentions to go on to university.
The law is very clear that homeless 16 and 17 year olds ought to be immediately accommodated. Unfortunately, it is all too common that these cases are “gatekept” – young people are turned away or given misleading information about the care system to try and dissuade them from asking for help. Legal action can be very effective very quickly in these types of cases.
The BBC has run a recent article on the problem of homeless children being turned away from services: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-66922341
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Osbornes has an impressive social housing team and the quality of their work that I have seen is very high.
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"Osbornes has an impressive social housing team and the quality of their work that I have seen is very high. Will Ford is a very well-regarded figure in the housing law world and leads a team of high quality and committed lawyers."
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"This is an outstanding firm with great attention to detail. They work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome for their clients. They have excellent client care skills and are extremely organised."
“Osbornes has an impressive social housing team and the quality of their work that I have seen is very high. Will Ford is a very well-regarded figure in the housing law world and leads a team of high quality and committed lawyers. The existence of family and property law teams at the firm, amongst others, means that they are able to offer a holistic and expert approach to their clients.”
William Ford is "highly committed to his clients and leaves no stone unturned in seeking to assist them with their problems"
William Ford "is an astute litigator, and his breadth of knowledge allows him to take a holistic approach to clients’ situations."
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"William Ford frequently represents tenants in possession proceedings, homelessness appeals and disrepair claims... and is praised for his dynamic and hard-working approach."
"Osbornes team is noted for cross-practice expertise in areas such as housing and community care, which it brings to bear in disrepair, possession and homelessness cases involving vulnerable adults, individuals with language difficulties, the elderly and those with no recourse to public funds."
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I was very happy with the excellent service from Osbornes in my disrepair case. They obtained a great result in my case and always pushed hard for my rights.
The social housing team is friendly, approachable and genuinely care about its clients.
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The social housing team has a strong track record in representing tenants in claims against local authorities and housing associations, with particular expertise in complex disrepair and possession cases.
The social housing department provides an excellent service and is able to react quickly in critical situations.
Thanks for all your support during this very difficult time for my family.
William Ford receives effusive praise for his dedication and commitment to social housing. Interviewees highlight his technical understanding and background in housing law, and describe him as highly impressive."
The team understand vulnerable clients and young people, and on the front line they are prompt and efficient.
Edward Taylor undertook my case from an almost unwinnable position. From our first meeting, Edward's enthusiasm was apparent. He was determined, diligent and most professional when dealing with my case, keeping me informed at every stage. I wholeheartedly thank Edward for his endeavours and would not hesitate in recommending him and Osbornes Solicitors to others.
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Osbornes Solicitors are the pinnacle of professionalism and have gone beyond to assist with this case … I felt that I wasn't only dealing with just one dedicated solicitor but I had a good knowledgeable team behind me at all times.
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Osbornes is commended for its 'rare level of commitment'.
William acts on possession, disrepair and homelessness cases, and has particular expertise in the protection of tenancy deposits under the Housing Act 2004
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