Accommodation for care and custody leavers a 'matter of concern'

MLC critical of action taken since coroner's recommendation

Providing suitable accommodation for young people leaving custody or care is a ‘matter of concern’ which hasn’t been helped by the ‘failings’ of the previous administration.

That’s the view of the health and social care minister who has been challenged over lack of progress following a recommendation from the Coroner of Inquests.

In August Jayne Hughes wrote to the DHSC and the Department of Home Affairs recommending that suitable homes are made available to young people leaving the systems.

It followed the death of an 18-year-old man from drug abuse in January this year; he’d spent much of his childhood in care and had only recently been released from prison.

She ruled that the lack of safe accommodation for vulnerable people had played a role in his death.

You can find out more HERE.

In Tynwald this week MLC Kerry Sharpe raised the issue with the returned minister Lawrie Hooper.

She wanted to know what action he, and his predecessor, had taken since August to ensure that accommodation was available to people who would otherwise find themselves homeless.

Mr Hooper said it is a ‘cross government’ problem which needs addressing but highlighted that his department’s are tied by actions taken by the last administration: