Supporting families with neurodivergent children who are forced into temporary accommodation

Introduction

In 2024, a group of families in South London met to share their experiences of living in temporary and insecure housing while caring for their disabled or neurodivergent children. While some types of temporary accommodation are suitable for a family, too often it is cramped, with families sharing rooms and beds. Sometimes they will not have access to a private bathroom. This often means that children are unable to sleep properly, which affects their mood and ability to focus in school. When children lack access to adequate kitchen and bathroom facilities, they can also develop issues with digestion, in some cases unable to get the nutritious food that they need, or wash regularly and with dignity.

In some cases, families and children are housed in the same building as adults experiencing homelessness, which represents serious safeguarding risks and can be very stressful for the whole family. In families with neurodivergent children, the young people often have specific, though far from extravagant, requirements for their homes, like a bedroom for each child so that they can regulate and rest properly; homes within their local communities; and a private garden for safe outdoor play and relaxation.

What we learned from families

The families who took part in this research shared how difficult it is to navigate the complex legal pathways required to access safe, appropriate housing, while also advocating for their children’s conditions. They asked for clear guidance that could bring together legal requirements around housing, evidence around child health and wellbeing, and stories that reflect the reality of the situation for so many families. In response, we commissioned the development of this guidance, which has been co-produced by families together with health and legal professionals including GT Stewart Solicitors, David Cowan and Vicky Garratt.

Why this guidance is so timely

At the time of writing this guidance, the number of children living in temporary accommodation in England had exceeded 170,000. Given that government estimates 1 in 7 children in the United Kingdom are neurodivergent, that means a minimum of 25,000 children living in temporary and unsuitable housing. These children may have additional needs which should be considered in any housing needs assessment. For example, neurodivergent children may have sensory challenges and so the smells and sounds of shared bathrooms or kitchen facilities (as often found in Bed and Breakfast (B&B) or hostel accommodation) can be overwhelming and, ideally, a housing needs assessment should account for this.

This guidance recognises that providing temporary accommodation to households with neurodivergent children raises a range of issues for local authorities. It acknowledges there is a housing shortage, that local authority resources are stretched and that significant concerns have been raised about the costs of temporary accommodation However, we know that by prioritising health needs and improving engagement with families, local authorities can meet their duty of care for children and families whose health is profoundly impacted by homelessness.

About the guidance

This guidance has been produced for families, legal professionals, councils and other services that work with people experiencing temporary accommodation who have neurodivergent children. It provides legal guidance and promotes policy and practice that will ensure every child’s stay in temporary accommodation is safe, healthy and as short as possible.

The aim was to create clear and accessible guidance that would:

• Improve understanding of the issues families with neurodivergent children face and how these need to inform proper housing needs assessments.
• Improve understanding of the tools, mechanisms and opportunities that are available to local authorities to help them house affected families in suitable accommodation.
• Improve decision making processes where families are in this situation and/or are owed a relief duty/main housing duty to move swiftly to suitable accommodation.

We hope that the guidance can form an important part of required training for housing officers contributing to an improved understanding of the core characteristics and behaviours of neurodivergent children, particularly autistic children.

This guidance is a pragmatic starting point, bringing together what has been learned from families, legal experts and health professionals.

Key considerations

Five things to remember when working with families of neurodivergent children experiencing homelessness:

Try to listen without bias or judgement: Listen to what parents tell you about their children’s needs. They are the expert in their child and sometimes a request or requirement that seems insignificant could have a profound impact on a young person’s wellbeing.

Broaden your definition of safety:  When considering a family’s housing needs prioritise both the physical and mental health of the child, factoring things like space, noise, and privacy into a safety assessment.

Prioritise stability: Look for ways to avoid change, as this has a uniquely harmful impact on the mental health of children with neurodiversity. When it’s unavoidable, try to slow it down and communicate clearly and regularly with families.

Factor siblings into your assessments: If accommodation is unsuitable for a neurodivergent child, this affects everyone.

Keep families close to their sources of support: It takes a long time for the families of children with neurodiversity to get services in place and build up both formal and informal support. Try not to break invaluable connections and networks  by moving people away from their communities.