Community Care Case Studies

James’ Story

James is 17.  When he was 12 his mother became addicted to crack.  Two years later, his younger sister was taken into care and he was left living in a crack den with his mother. He lost a lot of weight, developed a severe skin condition and became very withdrawn.  When he was 16 the police closed down the crack den and he was placed in an adult homeless persons hostel with Class A drug users.  He was extremely vulnerable, had no income and no support.  He was drawn into crime and remanded to Feltham YOI. Shortly after his release, JfK got involved and secured him  a safe place to live, a Pathway Plan to help him plan his education and a Personal Advisor/Social Worker.

Tracy’s Story

Tracy is 16. She had been on the Child Protection Register for many years and suffered physical abuse at the hands of her elder brother and stepfather. Her relationship with her step father grew so bad that the police were called numerous times. Eventually, in October 2008, her mother threw her out.  Tracy then slept rough, or at friends’ houses and sometimes with men who offered her a bed for the night in exchange for sex. She was offered crack cocaine. In December 2008 she was hospitalised for a chest infection, malnutrition and hypothermia. Her mother would not allow her back into the house for a coat. In February 2009 she contacted JfK and we threatened to issue an urgent Judicial Review unless the Social Services provided her with supported accommodation. Within two days she had a place in supported accommodation. She is now attending College and engaging with Connexions.

Lorna’s Story

Lorna is 16.  She suffers from severe anxiety attacks and has been using crack cocaine since she was fourteen. She started stealing to fund her drug habit and received a referral order from the Youth Court. When she was about 15, her relationship with her mother, who is an alcoholic, broke down and she has been homeless ever since. Her father is a heroin addict who lives with his partner and child in his one bedroom flat. She occasionally stayed at his flat or slept in crack dens, or on bendy buses or the streets. With JfK’s intervention she managed to secure a place in intensive supported accommodation (with staff present 24 hours a day). She was very happy and relieved to have somewhere safe to stay. She has been receiving counselling and support from the workers there and is hoping to start college in September.

Ahmed’s Story

Ahmed came to the UK from Somalia as an unaccompanied minor when he was 14. He was unofficially fostered by a Somalian woman until he was 16. Ali was then placed in a B&B with no pastoral support from an adult. Despite this, he continued attending college regularly and passed his GCSEs.  He was later told by Social Services to apply to the Home Office to fund his temporary B&B.  He was concerned by this and contacted JfK who intervened on his behalf.  The end result: he now has a studio flat, a social worker and receiving financial support whilst he remains in full time education.

Jane’s Story

Jane suffered physical violence from her mother and was thrown out of her home aged 16. She was placed in an adult homeless person’s hostel after contacting the local authority housing department. She became involved in crime and received a 6 month Detention and Training Order at a secure training centre. She was told to present herself to the Homeless Person’s Unit upon her release. Given the fact that she was under 18, vulnerable and in need of support, this was wholly inappropriate.  She was unaware that she was legally entitled to accommodation and support from the local authority under s20 of the Children’s Act 1989.  JfK intervened and the local authority have now provided her with a one bedroom flat, financial assistance and the support of a Social Worker 20 hours per week.

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