Specific policy measures targeting care leavers and preventing them from becoming homeless: the case...
-
Upload
feantsa -
Category
Government & Nonprofit
-
view
120 -
download
0
description
Transcript of Specific policy measures targeting care leavers and preventing them from becoming homeless: the case...
Impact of public youth protection /
care on homelesness
Specific policy measures targeting care
leavers and preventing them to become
homeless : the case of Belgium .
Itte Van Hecke – Steunpunt Algemeen Welzijnswerk
Investing in young people to prevent a lost generation in Europe:
key policy and practice in addressing youth homelessness
8th November 2013, Prague, Czech Republic
Introduction: the case of Miranda
18 years old
slightly mentally handicapped
tired of the involvement of workers
she didn’t survive living on her own
The reality of leaving care for young adults
Investing in young people to prevent a lost generation in Europe:
key policy and practice in addressing youth homelessness
8th November 2013, Prague, Czech Republic
Target group : young adults with complex issues,
dual diagnoses, socially vulnerable
17 – 25: transition from expendence to independence
Social paradox
Care leavers as a disadvantaged group: a crisisful
transition
Social exclusion
These young adults need a range of support across the
border of 18 and over the boundaries of sectors
Attempt to cross-sectoral policies:bridging
boundaries and organising footsteps
regarding the organisation of care
Youth care
General welfare work
regarding housing policy
Youth Care: the political debate
Integral Youth Care
6 key objectives: Maximum participation of the client
Timely access to youth care
Ensured continuity of aid/care
Adequate dealing with alarming situations
Deinstitutionalisation and socialization of care , empowerment and
recovering or building social and potentially supportive networks
around the youngsters
Ensure youth care in situations of crisis
Youth care for minus 18
What’s in it for young adults?
Action Plan Socially Vulnerable Young Adults
Department of Welfare, Health and Family
6 clusters
Approaching vulnerable youth as a separate target group
A program for Crisis Aid for young adults
Supporting young adults, their parents and carers
Screening and optimalization regulations
Pursuing help continuity and coordination
Flexible age limit for client consultation
Results today?
Perspective 2020 : Circular concerning the
extension of supervised independent living for
persons with disabilities.
Realization of necessary improvement in other health sectors in
order to support inclusive care of persons with disabilities
Promotion of the strengthening of cooperation between the sectors
“persons with disabilities“ and "general welfare"
The offer is aimed at young adults ( 17 to 25 years ) with mild to
moderate intellectual disabilities and / or behavioral and emotional
problems
The circular sets out 3 major objectives :
1. Extending the offer of assisted living
2. Expertise building
3. Intersectoral collaboration and networking
Housing policy
Framework social rent sector
The social housing sector should strive for improving access for
vulnerable groups while the welfare sector should provide support to
tenants when this is needed.
In the social rent sector ‘priority rules’ were introduced to give pre-
defined socially vulnerable groups in need priority on the waiting
lists: also adolescents in youth care.
But only youngsters supported by organisations of ‘special youth
care’ are eligible for this priority rule. Others, for instance supported
by the centres for general welfare work, are still facing the same
waiting lists as before.
These groups cannot benefit unconditionally from this new priority
policy. They will only be prioritised if there is an agreement with a
welfare institution to provide housing support. If tenants break this
agreement, the rental contract can be ended.
Good
Practices
“Collaborating Connects”
– Leuven
“Bridges crossing 18” –
Gent
Care Program “Living for
young adults” – Asse
“The Alternative” –
Antwerpen
….and many more
Thank you.
More information:
www.steunpunt.be/onderwerpen/thuisloosheid/inspirerendepraktijken
Praktijkdossier Loopplanken voor jongvolwassenen:
http://www.steunpunt.be/library/87
Beleidsdossier Jongvolwassenen:Tussen wal en schip?:
http://www.steunpunt.be/library/23
Itte Van Hecke
0032 492 73 54 30
Investing in young people to prevent a lost generation in Europe:
key policy and practice in addressing youth homelessness
8th November 2013, Prague, Czech Republic