Overview

This bill aims to improve the quality of accommodation provided to young people leaving the care system in England and Wales. It mandates minimum standards for housing and places a legal obligation on local authorities to ensure these standards are met.

Description

The Young People Leaving Care (Accommodation) Bill sets out minimum standards for housing young people leaving care who are living independently or semi-independently. These standards will be established by the Secretary of State through regulations. These regulations will cover aspects such as:

• Health and safety
• Habitability
• Location and accessibility
• Availability of services and furnishings
• Security of the accommodation
• Meeting the assessed needs of the young person

Local authorities will be legally required to ensure that the accommodation provided meets these standards. The Secretary of State must present these regulations to Parliament within 12 months of the bill becoming law. The bill applies to England and Wales.

Government Spending

The bill states that any expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State under this Act, and any increase in sums payable under other Acts attributable to this Act, will be paid from money provided by Parliament. No specific figures are provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

The bill primarily affects:

• Young people leaving care: They will benefit from improved housing standards and potentially better support.
• Local authorities: They will have a legal duty to ensure that accommodation meets the new standards, potentially requiring increased expenditure and resources.
• The Secretary of State: Responsible for setting the minimum standards through regulations and overseeing their implementation.

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