Councils across England are now required to inform schools and GP practices when a child is placed in temporary accommodation. This new duty is accompanied by £1 million in funding, which will be distributed among councils to help cover the operational costs of implementing the changes.
Homelessness Minister Florence Eshalomi stated that the new duty means schools, GPs, and councils will communicate about vulnerable children, aiming to ensure support services are provided early. Children's Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza added that the measure is an important step to ensure schools and health services are aware when a child moves into temporary accommodation, allowing them to put appropriate support in place.
The government has also announced £30 million in funding. This is intended to reduce councils' reliance on bed and breakfasts and to improve the quality, suitability, and long-term supply of temporary accommodation.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has also unveiled plans to offer accommodation to every rough sleeper in England this winter. Figures from the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) show that 3,959 people were sleeping rough in London between April and June this year. This represents a 10% decrease compared to the same quarter last year, but is 53% higher than five years ago and has risen by 47% over the past decade.