Youth Homelessness
The Programme for Government 2011-2016 commits inter-alia, to (i) end long term homelessness and the need to sleep rough; (ii) review and update the existing Homeless Strategy, including a specific focus on youth homelessness.
A National Strategy for Youth Homelessness was developed in 2001. A review of progress undertaken in 2008 by the HSE in conjunction with other agencies, found that significant progress had been made, especially in the areas of interagency cooperation, early prevention and an ‘out of hours’ service.
The Department has engaged the Centre for Effective Services (CES) to undertake a high level review of the implementation of the Youth Homelessness Strategy, 2001. The purpose of the review is to establish the extent that the strategy has been successful, to identify blockages and challenges to its implementation and to make recommendations. Consultations will be held with the relevant service providers, non-Government agencies and young people as part of this process.
It is the case that the information system regarding the number of children who use service is poor. Work is underway to improve the quality of information on the number of young people under 18 years who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, and to establish what areas of the service are working well and where further improvements are needed.
Contacts: Local Health Offices, HSE
Health Service Executive Child Protection Social Work Services
Publications:
Youth Homelessness Strategy
