The Young Persons Team is a part of the Council's Housing Support & Resettlement service based at the Civic Centre. The team provides a “one-stop shop” approach for all 16-19 year olds who are experiencing housing-related difficulties. Any young person who needs help, assistance or general advice can come into the offices to discuss the issues they may be facing. If you are under 16 you will not be dealt with by this team but would be shown to the appropriate department.
Housing advice, prevention and assessments
A Prevention and Assessment Officer will help you try to resolve any problem or conflict that may lead to you losing your home. We look at the following as part of the process.
Mediation
If you are living at home, you and your parent/s may be booked in for a series of mediation sessions with an independent mediator. The mediator will listen to both parties to identify the main issues before suggesting a workable compromise to enable you to return to the safety of the family home.
Housing options interviews
We arrange housing advice and options interviews for young people who are faced with leaving home as well as the parents who are asking them to leave. This is so we can try and work with you and your parents and discuss other options that may be available or arranged. We also make sure you are in contact with other agencies or organisations that can support you and arrange interviews at Connexions for employment, training, or educational needs.
Home visits
If you approach us with a housing problem we may visit your home to get a full understanding of the housing issue.
Assessments
Sometimes after the mediation or home visits you may still face a housing problem. If so, we will assess your case to establish whether we have any statutory duty to house you.
This will include looking at the your behaviour to see if you have been asked to leave not return because of your own actions.
If you are not eligible for any housing assistance from us, we will give you advice and assistance on how to find other accommodation.
Support and resettlement
Support and Resettlement Officers draw up individual support and resettlement plans for all young people who have been referred to them. Part of this process includes an office interview of about one hour, which helps us decide the amount and type of support you need. We then look for an appropriate supported housing placement as recommended in the assessment.
We can offer two forms of supported housing placements to young people; a supported hostel placements through a housing association, or a supported placement with a host family. Supported housing placements enable you to gain the independent living skills you will need to hold and manage a tenancy successfully.
Other forms of assistance we can offer you include:
- referring you to or liaising with other agencies such as the Youth Offending Team, Connexions, youth clubs, counselling or drug and alcohol support services, who may be able to assist you with other needs outside of housing;
- helping you apply for benefits and fill out forms.
- assisting you while you are staying in an emergency placement.
- attending a supported housing interview with you.
Contact
If you have any queries or would like to find out more information about and services related to young people please do not hesitate to contact the Support and Resettlement, Young Persons Team using the details below.
Support and Resettlement, Young Persons Team
Telephone: 020 8461 7598
Email: housing@bromley.gov.uk
Office hours: Mon - Fri 9.00am - 5.00pm
Address:
Joseph Lancaster Hall
Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, Bromley, BR1 3UH