Social workers have a vital role in advocating for those at risk of homelessness

Social workers have a vital role by advocating for marginalised families who are, or are vulnerable to homelessness, a seminar at the COMPASS Jobs Fair in Birmingham heard.

‘Accessible, affordable, stable, secure and safe housing with appropriate support is fundamental for everyone in our society,’ said Josh Dixon, Policy and Campaigns Officer for BASW England.

He outlined the worsening situation across England with recent data from the housing charity Shelter and the Department of Housing, Levelling up and Communities. This showed that in December 2023, there were at least 309,000 homeless people -- including 140,000 children -- an increase of 14 per cent in one year.

‘The loss of social housing is key,’ he said. ‘Over the last decade we have been looking at huge numbers in terms of a net loss. Many of the most vulnerable people in society are at the mercy of an awful crisis, particularly in the private rented sector in their respective towns and cities. Things are really only getting worse at this point.’

Over the past ten years, 200,000 of the most affordable types of social housing have been lost; beyond social housing, many of the most vulnerable people face unaffordable rents.

He added that the problem had been further compounded by cuts to local authority budgets since 2010, and Right-to-Buy.

Mr Dixon said that the acute shortage of suitable housing meant that many homeless families were living in unsuitable accommodation such as hostels, bedsits and bed-and-breakfast rooms. A total of 279,00 people were living in temporary accommodation, almost half of whom had been there for more than two years.

BASW is calling for substantial investment in good-quality social housing, and campaigning for the government to:
 Increase housing benefit to match inflation, and reflect local rent levels,
 Bring in a national housing strategy and prioritise help to prevent families from being placed in temporary bed and breakfast accommodation.
 Implement the previous government’s pledge to end no-fault evictions

Earlier this year, following a survey of its members, BASW issued guidance
for social workers working with families who are homeless or vulnerable to homelessness.

Crucially, it says that social workers should be allowed to record multiple reasons for a child entering care, to include family homelessness and inadequate housing where they are factors in contact with the care system. This information is not included currently.

Mr Dixon said that social work had a vital role to play by communicating with, and learning directly from, family members about their housing needs, and in making creative use of statutory powers to intervene.

‘Social workers have a responsibility to promote social justice in relation to society generally and in relation to the people with whom they work.

‘In terms of resources, social workers should advocate for access and equitable distribution, and challenge unjust policy and practices. Social workers are expected to bring to the attention of their employers, policymakers, politicians, and the general public situations where resources are inadequate or where distribution of resources, policies and practices are oppressive, discriminatory or otherwise unfair harmful or illegal.’