Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 16
16
Accepted in Part
We remain concerned that there is no explicit rule to prevent or restrict councils from...
Conclusion
We remain concerned that there is no explicit rule to prevent or restrict councils from housing families, including single mothers with children, in accommodation where they need to share facilities with single male adults. (Conclusion, Paragraph 55)
Government response summary AI-generated
The government agrees that safeguarding risks must be mitigated and will engage with the sector to consider amending guidance to ensure it is absolutely clear that children's safety must be prioritised in temporary accommodation.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government · verbatim extract
Accepted in Part
50. We agree with the Committee that local authorities must ensure that safeguarding risks are identified and fully mitigated. 51. As set out in our response to Recommendation 7, current legislation and guidance is very clear that B&B accommodation is not suitable for families. We are determined to eliminate its use for families other than where no other accommodation is available, and then only for a maximum of six weeks. 52. We are clear that safeguarding risks must be minimised across all forms of accommodation and, where this is not possible, the accommodation should not be used. The Code of Guidance underlines that housing authorities have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. We will engage with the sector to consider whether we need to amend guidance to ensure it is absolutely clear that placing children in temporary accommodation must minimise safeguarding risks.
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