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 requires local authorities to ensure these standards are met.

Description

The Young People Leaving Care (Accommodation) Bill establishes a legal duty for local authorities to provide accommodation meeting minimum standards for young people leaving care. The Secretary of State will set these standards through regulations, covering aspects such as:

• Health and safety of the premises and procedures
• Personal safety, security, and accessibility
• Availability of private space
• Suitability of location
• State of repair
• Tenancy status
• Affordability
• Support for the young person

These regulations must be presented to Parliament within 12 months of the bill becoming law and are subject to parliamentary approval.

Government Spending

The bill will require government funding to cover the Secretary of State's expenditure in implementing the Act, and any increased costs to existing programs resulting from the new requirements. No specific figures are provided in the bill itself.

Groups Affected

This bill primarily impacts:

• Young people leaving care: They will benefit from improved accommodation standards and potentially increased support.
• Local authorities: They will be responsible for ensuring the new standards are met, potentially requiring increased resources and changes to existing services.
• Accommodation providers: They will need to meet the new standards to continue providing housing to this group.
• The Secretary of State: Responsible for setting the minimum standards and overseeing implementation.

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