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

Itte.vanhecke@steunpunt.be

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