Acting in the best interests of homeless children

The inclusion of children’s perspectives will help ensure the guidance accurately reflects how practitioners, policy makers and managers can most effectively make decisions in the best interests of children.

The lives and situations of children affected by homelessness are complex and diverse. However, this report endeavours to offer an insight into some of the factors that determine children’s experiences of where they live. The findings are based on a small scale study with 20 children and young people affected by homelessness, to ascertain their views on what is important to them in relation to where they live.

The findings suggest that the factors determining children’s experiences are as much based on children’s proximity to good social relationships, school and activities as living in housing of a decent standard and size. A theme running through children’s comments was about having to deal with a lack of a permanent home and the related issues of moving around, particularly when it did not lead to an improved situation from children’s perspectives. The report goes on to suggest key areas the Guidance needs to consider as a result of this consultation, in order to retain its relevance for children experiencing homelessness.