Homelessness can cause additional stresses to families, which in turn can play a factor in children being placed at risk of harm. It can cause basic needs to not be met, such as shelter, food, warmth, and clothing. It can also cause social isolation, stress within a household and impact on a child’s anxiety.
Placing families in temporary accommodation while suitable/more secure accommodation is found is on the rise. In addition to the above factors, this can also impact on a child’s educational attainment, for example, missed school days or longer journeys due to the child’s school being further away from the accommodation.
Without a safe and stable home environment, children and young people cannot do simple things like inviting friends over. Having a consistent, safe space to call home is important for a child’s development.
Housing providers have a key safeguarding role. They are well placed to identify people with care and support needs at risk of abuse, share information and work in partnership.
We must also take account of the impact of health and safety hazards in housing on vulnerable occupants including children, when deciding on the action to be taken by landlords to improve conditions. Other professionals can assess indicators of neglect or poor home conditions using the Home Environment Assessment Tool.
Remain Safe can also support households who are experiencing harassment from outside the home to feel safer in their home by placing additional security on the home.