On Wednesday 28th February DLUHC published a change to the Homelessness Code of Guidance, specifically covering the provision and space allocation for cots in temporary accommodation. (S17.12+ 17.13)
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Temporary Accommodation led the campaign to get the guidance changed on the back of the tragic data provided by the National Child Mortality Database. It shows that where 55 children have died between 2019 – 2023, homelessness or TA may have been a factor in a child’s death.
This is preventable, this is fixable.
We know that homelessness is complex and our families face multiple barriers to access services. Having a cot significantly reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and is vital that this is provided for every night of a child’s homelessness journey.
So how do councils, housing providers and nightly providers like B&Bs apply this new guidance considering financial and operational constraints?
The Shared Health Foundation are hosting a one-off webinar to go through the data and health risks for infants who don’t have access to a cot as well as solutions that you can implement quickly to ensure that every child that experiences homelessness will have a safer place to sleep. Councils should consider this advice in addition to their statutory duties to ensure that accommodation is suitable for the needs of the household.
There will be a time to ask questions to paediatric clinicians to ensure that your practice going forward is as safe as it can be.
This event is open to Local Authorities, homeless and housing teams, housing providers, housing associations, and nightly providers like B&Bs and hotels. Whether you have a family for 1 night or 2 years, are a Premier Inn or an independent B&B, have thousands of families or a handful, have a safer sleeping policy or don’t, this training is for you. All it takes is one night for the worst to happen.
Please share this with colleagues and sign up for your free ticket below.
