Young people leaving care (accommodation) bill
This Private Members’ Bill, which has been introduced under the Ten Minute Rule by Helen Southworth (Lab, Warrington South), makes provision for the application of minimum accommodation standards for young people leaving care. Introducing the Bill in the House of Commons in March, Ms Southworth rejected claims that her Bill is unnecessary because guidance on the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 already requires local authorities to provide ‘suitable accommodation’. The National Care Advisory Service has been supporting this Bill.
Helen Southworth MP told other MPs:
"The current framework should ensure that all care leavers are being placed in suitable accommodation that adequately meets their needs. However, the evidence from care leavers themselves and their care workers is that in far too many cases it is not working. If the guidance from 2001 is not yet working and vulnerable young people are being placed at risk, we must conclude a step change is needed – and it is needed now".
Read the full transcript of what was said: download
Information on the Bill
http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2008-09/youngpeopleleavingcareaccommodation.html
More information on private members bills