Homeless teenager
- 8 August 2012 09:06186399a sad tale very close to home.
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/east_kent_mercury/news/2012/august/8/council_rapped_by_ombudsman.aspx - 8 August 2012 09:24186400Presumably suitable accommodation has been found for him, and he soon will have the wherewithal to furnish and decorate, and his social and health needs will be dealt with also.
38 weeks of intermittent assistance and yet many nights out in all weathers leaves many questions unanswered. I wish 'J' and all involved all the best for the future.Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing. - 8 August 2012 09:36186405From that link:
Although DDC would not accept him as homeless it offered him bed and breakfast, registered him for housing and offered him a one-bedroom flat.
He refused these offers because he did not want to be in areas where he would be tempted into drugs or crime.
So he was homeless by choice, no sympathy from me - Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,897
8 August 2012 11:02186420For me the main factor which does condemn DDC is this....... "When he was offered a suitable flat, the authority refused to accept a £1,000 guarantee from Kent Children's Services, instead demanding an adult guarantor."........
Were they saying that KCS was not a suitable guarantor, if so that is complete madness. I have a feeling there is more to the story about him turning the DDC flat down, surely the flat would be preferable to the tent he ended up in.-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
------------------------------------------------------------------- - 8 August 2012 11:30186422agree there is more to the story, the young lad(and that is what he is) seems grown up enough to know that he doesn't want to get caught up in a lifestyle that his mother seems to find acceptable.
to try and put a vulnerable 16 year old into a house of multiple occupation with all the attendant problems is highly irresponsible. - 8 August 2012 15:32186447It would appear the Lad did not want to go into a Drug environment.
Was the Portfolio Holder made aware of proceedings?...if so what action was taken or
was it dealt with by Officers only? - 8 August 2012 16:16186453"Although DDC would not accept him as homeless it offered him bed and breakfast, registered him for housing and offered him a one-bedroom flat.
He refused these offers because he did not want to be in areas where he would be tempted into drugs or crime."
Did DDC forget to include the butler in the services?Chanters, Drums and Drones Potty Time http://youtu.be/99fMqpjnXYA
Rule Britannia!
Kent First http://youtu.be/04F3mAP3fV4 Keep banging on http://youtu.be/qYCU_SKmkGQ - 8 August 2012 16:34186457As usual it doesn't cover DDC or KCC with glory. I know it was 4 yrears ago but maybe the uspeakable Pauls would like to explain!!! How much are they paid not to look after vulnerable children.
- 8 August 2012 16:381864584 years ago?Who was the Portfolio Holder ?Perhaps they would like to post on the
subject? - 8 August 2012 16:50186459OK all, please read Howards post & link (repeated) for the facts. Beth Robson's Mercury report makes disturbing reading
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/east_kent_mercury/news/2012/august/8/council_rapped_by_ombudsman.aspx
This is simply disgusting, all of our fat cats should be truly ashamed as they put check their salary statements or put in their expenses claims
And why did DDC refuse to be interviewed by Radio Kent this morning?
What chance do these kids have in these circumstances? - 8 August 2012 17:11186460And what part of the UK would he have considered drug free?
And so now we have to pay because he never accepted the help offered?
Not easy being 16, but I think he was just being a little.... - 8 August 2012 17:25186461the area is not the problem keith, it is the environment.
most houses of multiple occupation and hostels are rife with drugs and other problems.
in my opinion he should have been given the opportunity to go to foster parents with a
proven track record. - 8 August 2012 18:37186469B/B, Howard, is slightly different to a multi-occupancy or a hostel.
The rooms are cleaned every day by a cleaner, even the bed is made, and the kitchen is run by the staff, with breakfast is served free.
In a B/B, the owners won't tolerate obvious use of drugs, they'd call the Police straight away, perhaps after a warning.
As for a 1 bedroom flat, nowadays a single unemployed person won't get that unless they have turned 35.
Turning down such free and State-paid-luxuries is freedom of choice, not to mention that even at 16, if one is not at school or otherwise on a course, JSA is paid but one has to be looking for full-time employment.
If one turns down B/B AND then a 1 bedroom flat all paid for by the State, there is little to nothing the Council can do. The State would have to invent a law specifically for this person!
If someone chooses to turn all this benefit down at 16 and live in a tent, then it's their business really.
When I got my first £10.000 saved up, at about 21, I had worked damned hard for it!
Perhaps I am missing something here!
The bell: Ding-ding
"Your Excellency Desires?"
"Bring me a coffee with cream"
"Tout de suite, monsieur!"
Chanters, Drums and Drones Potty Time http://youtu.be/99fMqpjnXYA
Rule Britannia!
Kent First http://youtu.be/04F3mAP3fV4 Keep banging on http://youtu.be/qYCU_SKmkGQ - 8 August 2012 19:15186473B and B accomodation that caters for the homeless can be a very different place than a B and B that caters for the holiday trade .
He should also have been treated as a child in need , which is a very different issue . A suitable flat was found in an area which would have kept him safe but DDC refused to accept the bond from Childrens services of £1000 and insisted on an independant adult guarentor which DDC knew he could not provide . - 8 August 2012 19:27186475the story was covered on both local news channel. even peter whatshisname came all the way to dover to look suitably solemn.
- 8 August 2012 19:30186476What did his mother have to say ?
- 8 August 2012 22:14186496Nobody on this forum or in the media are fully in possession of the facts here. It's therefore not fair to castigate either council or the young man in question.
I know Peter Whittlesea well and he is a good journalist, but the definition of a good journalist is one who doesn't let the facts get in the way of a good story.I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson - 8 August 2012 23:55186500No-one has castigated the lad, Peter.
I like the couch-surfing piece: mi casa es tu casa. Help yourself to the fridge, food's on the table at midday, wife will do the washing-up, and don't be late for supper!
1 bedroom flat for free not for me!
Chanters, Drums and Drones Potty Time http://youtu.be/99fMqpjnXYA
Rule Britannia!
Kent First http://youtu.be/04F3mAP3fV4 Keep banging on http://youtu.be/qYCU_SKmkGQ - 9 August 2012 00:09186501A good friend of mine has a son who has severe epilepsy. He has tried so hard to get work but can't because of his illness. He did get one job clearing glasses and washing up in a pub which included accomodation. Then he had a seizure and was sacked so no job and no home. He went to the DSS several times but was told he cant claim any benefits because he can work! He has now had to go home to his parents who have to keep him for free and they are not well off. Of course they want him home because he's their son but why is it that some people seem to be able to claim everything, legally or not, yet this poor lad at 22 is pushed aside with no help - what is this country coming to
There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok". - Brian Dixon
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9 August 2012 06:45186508catch 22 jacqui.
