Young people in crisis living in caravans

YOUNG people in crisis situations are being put up in holiday parks and other short-term accommodation, North Tyneside Council has admitted.

Jacqui Old, Director of children and adults’ services, said that on “rare occasions” youngsters are temporarily housed in short-term accommodation such as hotels, holiday parks or cottages to keep them safe.

“On rare occasions, in response to crisis situations and at short notice, we have used a variety of short-term accommodation, such as hotels, cottages or holiday parks, to ensure the safety and protection of young people,” she said.

She states that temporary housing is used as a short-term solution to “unique crisis situations” and that youngsters are supervised by qualified staff at all times.

Ms Old added: “These are temporary solutions to unique crisis situations, and I would want to reassure the public that any accommodation is always appropriately staffed with qualified and vetted staff groups. This is also in keeping with the actions of other local authorities.”

This revelation comes as the council’s cabinet is set to vote on increasing the weekly allowance to foster carers, but the authority has stressed the two issues are not connected.

At their meeting on Monday, cabinet members will debate increasing the weekly allowance paid to foster carers, as one of five key changes outlined in the council’s new three-year fostering strategy.

These are temporary solutions to unique crisis situations Jacqui Old, Director of Children and Adults’ Services

If it goes ahead a new three-tier fee structure would see foster carers receiving a fee of between £110-£550 per week depending on their skills and the needs of the children placed in their care.

Ms Old added: “Recognising and valuing the outstanding contribution that our foster carers bring to vulnerable children and young people in North Tyneside, we have been reviewing our fostering framework and strategy over the last year to ensure that we are competitive in attracting people to become foster carers whilst at the same time ensuring that we have an even more robust support and development offer for our carers.”

A strong Ofsted inspection in March 2017, gave the authority’s services to safeguard children an overall judgement of ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ features.

North Tyneside Council has been named as the North East’s first Partners in Practice, alongside South Tyneside Council.

This alliance is designed to work with other local authorities, whose children’s services are under-performing or at risk of failing, in order to drive up standards.