Home / Education / Oxfordshire Cuts Beds for Homeless Youth Leaving Care by 20%
Oxfordshire Cuts Beds for Homeless Youth Leaving Care by 20%
25 Aug
Summary
- Oxfordshire County Council reduces beds for homeless youth leaving care
- Age limit for accessing service lowered from 25 to 21
- Total beds to be reduced from 203 to 154
In a controversial move, Oxfordshire County Council has approved plans to reduce the number of beds available for homeless young people leaving the care system. The changes, which are set to take effect next month, will see a 20% reduction in the total number of beds from 203 to approximately 154.
Additionally, the council has decided to lower the age limit for accessing the Young People's Supported Accommodation Services programme from 25 to 21. This means that those aged between 21 and 25 who are currently using the service will no longer be able to do so, though they will not be made homeless.
Councillor Sean Gaul acknowledged the sensitivity of the decision, stating that "to say we've gone about this as carefully as possible... is an understatement." The aim of the programme is to support care leavers with accommodation and life skills to help them pursue further education or employment.
However, the council's report cited "low occupancy numbers" and "low waiting lists" in certain areas as reasons for not extending all the contracts. Despite the cuts, the council has assured that it has done "as much as can be done to get this decision as correct as possible."
