Free seminar to share experience

Representatives from local authorities and other agencies who tackle homelessness in the eastern region attended a free seminar held by the council today.

Delegates watching one of the presentations at the seminar

The seminar was around successful housing and support schemes to accommodate young people who are ex-offenders.  Good accommodation and support is essential in preventing these young people from re-offending and in helping them to successfully rebuild their lives.

Delegates heard about the services provided by the Hertfordshire Youth Offending Team, and a very successful scheme run by Herts Young Homeless Group to assist young people who are ex-offenders. The scheme enables young ex-offenders to find homes and maintain their tenancies. Delegates were given information on how the scheme started, which organisations were involved, what difficulties were encountered and how these were overcome, sources of funding for the scheme, how the scheme is monitored and evaluated, and the plans for its future.

Councillor Hannah David, Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: "We hope this seminar was useful in sharing ideas and best practice so that we can work together to help this particular group of young people."

In summer 2007 Hertsmere Borough Council, within its role of Regional Centre of Excellence for Youth Homelessness, carried out a survey of the 48 local authorities in the eastern region. The aim of the survey was to find out which groups of young people were particularly in need of housing-related assistance, and for whom the local authorities would like information on what works in terms of housing and support services. Nearly 40% of local authorities in the region reported that they would like more guidance on how to assist young people who are ex-offenders, hence the seminar was organised.

Hertsmere was selected to be the Regional Centre of Excellence for Youth Homelessness in 2007/08 and that role has now been extended for a further year.