Shared Health Foundation

Homelessness and temporary accommodation have contributed to the deaths of at least 55 children in England since 2019, according to new research shared exclusively with ITV News.

The data, compiled by the National Child Mortality Database, shows the majority of those who died were babies under the age of one.

A spokesperson for the government called the findings “completely shocking”.

Dr Laura Neilson, chief executive of Shared Health who helped uncover the data, told ITV News the deaths were “incomprehensible and preventable”, adding that “clinicians, politicians, and local government must act now to prevent any more of these tragedies”.

“We do know [unexpected deaths in temporary accommodation are] associated with being out of routine, staying in different places, no room for sterilisation – you can’t regulate the temperature very well,” Dr Neilson said.

“Babies might be sleeping in mum’s bed or sofas, it might be damp and there [are] often other people living in that community, that house, so it’s quite chaotic.

“But we know that all of this means that it is more likely for small children and very small babies to die”.

When a child dies in England, a Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP), made up of healthcare professionals, police and children’s social care, review the circumstances of that child’s death to determine how they died, what contributed to their death and whether it was preventable.

The National Child Mortality Database, an NHS-funded programme, then gathers data from those official reviews.

It analysed the deaths of 10,256 children between 1st April 2019 and March 31st 2023 and found temporary accommodation was deemed to be contributing factor in the deaths of 55 children.

Of those 55 children, 42 were less than a year old.

A record 142,490 children in England are currently living in temporary accommodation.

While they are not sleeping rough, they are legally defined as homeless, and can be placed by their local council in bed and breakfasts, shared hostels, hotels or private accommodation rented by the council.

According to the data given to ITV News, eight of the homeless children who died were living in a B&B, hotel or hostel; 17 were staying in temporary housing; 11 were staying with a friend or family member’s accommodation and in 15 cases, it was not clear where they were living.

The latest findings are an increase on the number published last year by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Households in Temporary Accommodation, which found at least 34 children died in temporary accommodation, with homelessness listed as a possible contributing factor.

These deaths have all been received by a Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP).

“The loss of 55 lives, equivalent to two classrooms of children, serves as a stark indictment of our housing crisis,” said Simon Gale, CEO of Justlife Foundation.

“Despite the gravity of the situation, we have yet to treat it as the emergency it is. This should serve as a wake-up call and we are urging the government to establish a task force to comprehensively address this systemic failure.”

ITV News has been investigating the rise in homelessness and the increasing use of temporary accommodation, which is often unsuitable and at times unsafe.

In Oldham in Greater Manchester, Emily Price and her son Lorenzi have been homeless since June last year.

They currently live in a temporary flat on the top floor of a building without a lift.

While the flat is unsuitable, their last place was unsafe.

The family was placed in a room in a budget hotel, where they were unable to control the heating – one-year-old Lorenzi then suffered significant burns after grabbing a radiator his mum didn’t know was on.

“He has never screamed like that,” Emily said. “He has never actually hurt himself to the point where he was rolling around the floor screaming. I think that is probably the worst feeling I have ever had in my life.

“I was running his hand under cold water and I was on the phone to the ambulance. They said if you can bring him in faster, bring him.

“So we stayed there overnight, they gave him morphine and they had to burst the blister on his hand and dress it. It obviously opens up other complications – if he didn’t protect it or keep it clean it is more sensitive to the sun and skin cancer, things like that.” Emily believes this happened to her son due to the unsuitable nature of temporary accommodation for children.

“When I went to A&E there were two other children there with burns that were living in temporary accommodation in the same unit that were a similar age.”

Oldham councillor Elaine Taylor, cabinet member for housing and licensing, said what happened to Lorenzi is “entirely unacceptable”.

“The safety of our residents in temporary accommodation is an absolute priority, and as far as I am concerned, there are no excuses for any failure that leads to this type of accident or injury.”

She said that regular checks are carried out by the council, but that accommodation providers also need to share that responsibility.

“On this occasion, we carried out a full inspection of the hotel, and agreed an improvement plan with hotel management. We will not be complacent when it comes to the safety of our residents. We continue to work with temporary accommodation providers to make sure that they are fit, safe and comfortable for our residents.”

In West London families have been housed in shipping containers converted into temporary accommodation by Ealing Council.

ITV News visited the containers and spoke to many families who had the same complaints of damp, leaks, overcrowding and infestations.

We visited one container where a single mum and her three children were without hot water.

All the families we spoke to told us they felt their homes were unsafe and had made their children sick.

Nathalie Bangama told ITV News that living inside a container had been a “nightmare”.

Anayah, Nathalie’s 14-month-old daughter, has developed breathing difficulties as a result of living there and her two older sons suffer from asthma due to the conditions.

Nathalie also told ITV News how they struggle with extreme temperatures.

“Honestly it’s just been a nightmare. A nightmare. When it is cold, it’s cold. It is [made of] metal,” Nathalie told us.

“In winter it is very cold. In summer time you cannot sit [inside] for five minutes.

“It is so hot it is unbelievable. I have to cook outside in summertime. We stay outside, I take [the children] out for walks to the park.”

This estate isn’t a one-off – 15 minutes away we find another estate made up of shipping containers being used as temporary accommodation. We met Paula and her two children who have lived inside a container for two years.

The children told ITV News that they couldn’t believe they would be staying in a shipping container when they first saw it, and said it was “ridiculous”.

“Sometimes when it rains very hard, the rain falls down on my bed,” one child said.

“Last night (the rain) leaked onto my bed. I couldn’t sleep because my feet were wet from the rain. I woke up and all I see is water coming through the ceiling. Literally it is not nice.” An Ealing Council spokesperson said there has long been a “chronic shortage” of affordable housing in Ealing, and that has only been made worse by the cost-of-living crisis.

“The modular homes at Meath and Marston Courts were an attempt by the council to seek innovative solutions to the affordable housing crisis. We are now decommissioning both sites as a direct result of concerns raised about the quality of the accommodation, and we are working to rehouse residents as quickly as possible.”

And steps are being taken at a governmental level, too.

The cross-party government group on households in temporary accommodation has been campaigning for cots to be provided in temporary accommodation to encourage safe sleeping.

Last week the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) changed the Homelessness Code of Guidance for councils to encourage the provision of cots.

The DLUHC has written to all local councils saying they need to “make it explicit that temporary accommodation should not be considered suitable for a family with children under two if there is not enough space for a cot and that housing authorities should support families to secure a cot where needed.”

Labour MP Siobhain McDonagh welcomed the change but said “it will only save lives if it is actually implemented.”

A Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities spokesperson said the findings were “completely shocking”.

“Our guidance to councils is clear that all temporary accommodation must be safe and suitable for families with babies and have enough space for a cot.

“We will continue to work with the [All-Party Parliamentary Group] and councils on this important issue.”

Dan Hewitt, Investigations Editor
Mariah Cooper, Investigations Producer
ITV News

Government will add cots to homelessness guidance for councils.

Dear colleague,

A cot for every night for every child.

I have been given this opportunity to share with you the importance of cots for every child under two living in Temporary Accommodation. Thank you for spending these few moments reading this guidance and engaging with this issue.

The reasons families end up living in temporary accommodation are many: relationship breakdown, eviction, their parents fleeing domestic violence, the end of a long road financially or a quick series of events. Whatever the scenario, remember that the children in the middle did not choose this. They are entering the new, the unknown, the unfamiliar and the unpredictable. Their parent is also likely in unknown surroundings, unfamiliar spaces and new routines. It is very disruptive.

We know that this change and subsequent series of changes as families go through the homeless journey have a significant impact on children of all ages.  Homelessness affects their learning, development, social skills, growth, health, and relationships.  For very young children and babies several factors in their homeless journey increase the risk of sudden and unexpected death. (This was previously known as cot death, but this term is no longer used.)  There is concern that there may be a higher level of small children and babies dying in temporary accommodation than expected. Factors that increase the risk of death include the age of baby, poverty, change in routine, environmental factors, underlying medical conditions and sleeping arrangements. Some factors can be mitigated or reduced, others can’t, but each factor creates a kind of multiplier effect. We can take action to reduce sudden unexpected death and one of these actions is ensuring that safer sleep arrangements are in place.

If a baby or infant sleeps in a cot or moses basket they are significantly less likely to die than if they slept in their parents’ bed, in their parents’ arms, or on a sofa. This is the single biggest intervention we can make; often we can’t change the environment, the uncertainty, poverty, or other social factors but we can do our best to ensure that every night, every infant has access to a cot or moses basket.

We know that some parents will have cots with them, we know some accommodation can provide them as standard. We also know that in other situations more creative solutions will be needed, whether that is having a small stock that can be used, pressing providers for provision as standard or working with other local organisations to provide cots. We know that this will need to be thought through at a very granular level, working out in detail local pathways and provision.

I want to thank you for all your efforts in this. Thank you for implementing this new guidance and for adopting the spirit this guidance was written in. We hope that bit by bit we will reduce the mortality rate of some of our most vulnerable children who find themselves living in TA.

If you want to know anymore or want any additional support implementing this new guidance please contact us at contact@sharedhealth.org.uk

Huge thanks

Dr Laura Neilson

Shared Health Foundation working with National Child Mortality Database.

Co-secretariat to the All Party Parliamentary Group for Households in Temporary Accommodation.

About Shared Health

We are a clinically-led and evidence-based non-profit, passionate about reducing the impact poverty has on health.

Good health should be shared with all. It should not be damaged by social or economic disadvantage. We exist to mitigate the effects of the inverse care law, adding capacity to systems which are otherwise overwhelmed by complex needs.

We conduct on-the-ground work to identify challenges, pilot solutions, build an evidence base and then work alongside local and national organisations and policy makers to implement system change.

About the role:

The Fundraising Manager is a new and central role that will be pivotal in shaping the future of Shared Health. They will play a critical role in developing and executing a fundraising strategy to support the organisation’s goals and ensure Shared Health’s financial sustainability.

They will have responsibility for the strategic management of income generation and growth from a variety of sources. The post holder will work closely with the Communications Team to showcase the social impact of the work of in order to attract funding and support.

The post holder will be highly organised, capable, and skilled in developing relationships and partnerships. They will be someone who understands the health impact that poverty has and keen to make those impacted negatively by health inequality visible.

Role & responsibilities:

• Grow and develop existing funding prospects: including trusts and foundations, corporate sponsors, and individual partners.
• Establish new funding streams and develop potential funding opportunities within agreed timescale.
• Write funding bids and grant applications – both large and small.
• Work closely with the Communications Team to bring innovative fundraising campaigns to fruition and put together engaging events and other promotional and activities.
• Develop and manage a calendar of events to progress agreed income targets.
• Monitor changes in government and NHS policy and funding streams.
• Report regularly to the CEO on progress.

Fundraising, Grant, Contract and other funding

• Develop, implement and evaluate the fundraising strategy to support Shared Health in its aims, values and strategy.
• Offer leadership on income generation to ensure sustainability of Shared Health.
• Generate multiple funding streams that will ensure the sustainability of Shared Health’s strategy.
• Identifying and analysing grant opportunities.
• Write high quality funding bids & grant applications, ensuring that they will benefit those who Shared Health work with.
• Produce funding proposals.
• Develop and build partnerships with current and prospective funding partners and stakeholders.
• Be accountable for fundraising targets and strategy.
• Monitor and evaluate fundraising campaigns and activities, producing timely clear reports for senior leadership and actioning any related changes to strategy.
• Creatively develop ways to expand income for the organisation.

Communication strategy

• Work with the Communications Team on to advertise social impact of the work of Shared Health with an aim to attract interest and funding from both corporate, national and local government, and other partners.
• Work with the CEO and Communications Team to ensure that the voice of lived experience is at the heart of all fundraising strategy and that funding is channelled to the right areas of the organisation.
• Act as an ambassador for Shared Health and engage with significant individuals and relevant organisations, building relationships and partnerships, by communicating positive outcomes of the work of Shared Health and, by extension, the benefits of financially supporting the work of Shared Health.
• Use skills of persuasion and negotiation in generation of support from trusts and corporations.

Finance & budgetary

• Support the senior leadership with financial planning and budgets, identifying risks and recommending corrective action where necessary.
• Report regularly on income and expenditure against budgets, and provide accurate and timely financial information as part of the report to the senior leadership.
• Research new methods, products and engagement tools, and implement where appropriate, keeping up-to-date on sector trends, best practice, regulations and changes in government policy.
• Identify risks and opportunities to income growth.
• Maintain records on key income and produce reports projecting for future financial sustainability.

Person specification:

Qualifications

Essential Criteria

• Educated to degree level or equivalent.

Desirable Criteria

• Marketing, fundraising, or equivalent degree.

Experience

Essential Criteria

• Minimum 2 years in fundraising, particularly in generating income in the non-profit / charity sector.
• Experience of growing a successful fundraising strategy.
• Experience representing organisations at events, dinners and meetings.
• Experience of successfully project managing trust and grant applications, bids, tenders and procurement processes.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience or knowledge of fundraising in the health sector or NHS.
• Events planning experience.
• Contacts within the non-profit / charity or health care sector and fundraising bodies.

Skills/Knowledge

Essential Criteria

• Networking experience, influencing stakeholders and other partners, including local and national government personnel.
• Experience of working with legacies, major donors and corporate fundraising.
• Experience of using social media effectively to engage potential partners, policy makers and promote the work of Shared Health.
• Understanding of legislation around fundraising in non-profit organisations.

Other

Essential Criteria

• Experience using data to inform reporting and strategy.
• Understanding of health inequalities and poverty in Greater Manchester, and commitment to the aims of Shared Health.
• Team player who can also proactively work on their own initiative.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience and / or understanding of research methods.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Salary: £35,000.00-£40,000.00 per year

Expected hours: 37.5 per week

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Free parking

Application question(s):

• What is your understanding about how poverty impacts health, and what are the main challenges of fundraising in this sector?
• Do you have experience in grant and/or bid writing? (please give example)
• Do you have experience of growing a successful fundraising strategy? (Please explain)
• What is your experience of working with legacies, major donors and corporate fundraising?
• Do you have experience of using social media to engage interest in an organisation? (please explain how social media was used)

Ability to Commute:

• Oldham (required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Oldham: Relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: In person

As we return back to the office this new year, we are aware that you may have seen the news over the Christmas period about the death of our colleague Kate. Kate Vokes was a director at Shared Health and at Focused Care, and chair of the Oglesby Charitable Trust, who last week died in a tragic accident with her 22 year old son, Archie.

Kate was a champion of great causes and was a positive and can-do inspirational leader. Her impact across Greater Manchester through business, the arts and charitable sector will be greatly missed. Kate’s passion for supporting vulnerable families has been knitted through the values of Shared Health and Focused Care. The legacy, work and hope she started is pervasive and is felt as it continues today across our city region. 

All our prayers and thoughts are with the family in this incredibly difficult time.