How Cuts in the Voluntary Sector Are Affecting Provisions for Young Homeless Individuals - Coursework Example

How cuts in the voluntary sector are affecting provisions for young homeless individuals Introduction “The jury concludes that homelessness is a grave injustice and violation of fundamental human rights that can and should be ended” (Jury of the European Consensus Conference on Homelessness, 2011, p.2) Homelessness in the UK, which had been decreasing for almost two decades, is currently showing a rise again, primarily owing to the worldwide economic recession and the new Coalition governmental policies. Reports revealed that Central London is a popular area for the UK homeless, and it is estimated that “on an average 1,600 people sleep out in the borough of Westminster each year. On any given night, between 100 and 200 people sleep on the streets” (Vallely, Are the Governments welfare policies creating more homeless people? 2011). Amongst the UK homeless, providing adequate support to the adolescents have always been an issue of great priority, as this age group is especially vulnerable and likely to be exploited and abused more when left alone and homeless, than any other age groups. However, homelessness does not pertain to mere housing issues, and involves a variety of factors that lead to a young individual becoming homeless. One of the major factors causing youth homelessness is the breakdown in relationships between the youth and his or her family members, which turn young people homeless without the support of a family network to depend on. In the UK, the young homeless are provided support services primarily by the voluntary sector, that operate through various community services (like church groups) and others from the non-profit and non-governmental sectors. In the context of current economic conditions, where there is a systematic cut down in public funding in almost all segments of social services (including the voluntary sector), it is essential that there is a detailed analysis and comprehension of young people’s requirements. This is necessary in order to ensure that all protective measures remain in place and spending cuts by the UK government does not have an adverse effect on the most vulnerable segment of the society. Since young people tend to have more complex problems and requirements, it would be more difficult for them, than the other homeless, to tackle adequately the removal of financial support and other services, therefore making it important for these needs to be ascertained and addressed. Discussion Concept and causes of youth homelessness in the UK In the UK, in context of youth homelessness, focus of all research studies tend to be on housing requirements of those within the age group 16 - 24 years (Quilgars, Johnsen and Pleace, 2008). This is in keeping with the general understanding of the age when an individual can start living independently and the public welfare policies in place that provide financial assistance until the age of 25 years (ibid). In UK, the age when an individual attains majority is taken to be 18 years, while statutory assistance for young homeless is increased for those in the 16 and 17 years age bracket, acknowledging the fact that they are still ‘minors’ (ibid). In a report prepared by Centrepoint on the state of UK homelessness, it has been observed that a breakdown in relationship with the family is a major cause for youth homelessness, where almost 58% reported have left home owing to arguments with family members or a breakdown in relationship (Monfort, 2009). Poverty and spending the growing up years within an atmosphere of a workless home increases the chances of a young person’s homelessness. Various other complex adolescent needs, which lead to a lack of access to the mainstream social systems and services, also cause homelessness among the UK youths. As for example, drug abuse and mental illnesses tend to make it arduous for the UK youths to face problems at home while disables him or her to tackle issues of tenancy (ibid). Such behavioural problems in turn may increase the rates of anti-social behaviours within young population that can further increase their chances of being evicted from their homes. Amongst the UK youths, certain specific groups stand more chances to become homeless than others (ibid). In the report by Centrepoint, it is seen that amongst the UK young homeless, around 31% are refugees or immigrants, 20% are care leavers, while another 20% comprise of ex-offenders (ibid). Often young parents, after rift with their families, experience homelessness, while reports by the Housing Statistical Release show that nearly 70% of the governmental household accommodations provided for the homeless, had pregnant women or a child (Communities and Local Government, 2012). In its report, Centrepoint further distinguished certain patterns amongst the UK homeless youth in the past few years, where it revealed homelessness being increasingly seen within the UK youth at an early age, where there were more number of homeless youths under the age group 16-17 years, than those in their twenties (Monfort, 2009). Here however, it must be remembered that changes in prevalence, as mentioned above, are often affected by changes in the existing legislation and in the manner in which the local authorities choose to make household arrangements for different groups. Fig 1: The table shows that “approximately 3 5,363 young people were accepted as statutorily homeless because they were aged 16-17 in 2009/10. This was approximately half the number of young people compared to 2005/6 (10,424), with the figures showing that virtually all of this fall was due to reductions in the numbers of 16 and 17 year olds being accepted in England. It is widely acknowledged that this fall has occurred following the introduction of the preventative approach to homelessness in England” (Quilgars, Fitzpatrick and Pleace, 2011, p.16). From the above figures, it is quite clear that youth homelessness is a major problem in the UK. It is especially significant, owing to the fact that this group is a highly vulnerable section within the society, while various complex associated issues, like substance abuse, mental ill health, teenage pregnancy, amongst many others, make the problem even more difficult to handle, especially in the context of recent governmental policies concerning removal of financial support and other services. Homelessness in Birmingham Currently in Birmingham, according to various reports, there has been a sharp rise in the number of youth homelessness, with a large number of young people found sleeping on the streets (BBC, 2012). The Birmingham city council also reported a rise in the number of homeless youths approaching it for support. According to the last governmental reports, 2,280 people are homeless in the West Midlands region (Birmingham), while records showed that in 2011 (July –September) 140 more were homeless, when compared to the same period in 2010 (ibid). Mr Jim Crawshaw, head of homeless services (Birmingham), in this context commented, "The main reason for young people approaching the city council as homeless is due to family breakdown and of course that can be through a variety of reasons" (ibid). He further added that another major reason for youth homelessness in Birmingham was domestic violence. Mr Crawshaw further claimed that even though there were cuts to the council services owing to current governmental policies, there were no cuts in funding for the homeless service and the issue remained one of the "key priorities" for the council (ibid). However, as regards the issue of public funding, the picture is not the same for voluntary sector (in Birmingham, and elsewhere within the UK) which plays a major role in providing support and services to the UK homeless youth. This is evident in a 2011 news report which states “the “Big Society” will come to the rescue of cash-strapped public services have been questioned after a project which helps keep 35,000 vulnerable people off Birmingham’s streets had its budget cut by £16.6 million. The Supporting People programme, which is funded by Whitehall but administered by Birmingham City Council, will lose a third of its money this year” (Dale, Birmingham Big Society group for homeless loses £16.6m funding, 2011). Therefore, it is evident that the voluntary sector, which is responsible for providing majority care and support related services to the young homeless in UK, is facing fund cuts owing to governmental policies, which may have an adverse impact on the overall provisions made for the young homeless in the UK. Cuts in the voluntary sector and impact on youth homelessness Under the policy of what was termed as the Big Society, initiated by the Coalition Government in 2010, there were promises of creating a stopgap system and raising adequate funds in instances where the state could not afford to provide financial support. The primary idea through the system was to formulate an environment that would lead to empowerment of local communities, and in the process establish a so-called big society, which will ultimately “take power away from politicians and give it to people” (10 Downing street website, Government launches “Big Society” programme, 2010). Through creation of the Big Society, it was implied that the voluntary sector comprising of the various community service organisations, charities, and other non-profit making organisations would get strong support from the governmental policies. However, this did not turn out as expected, and soon critics claimed that in order to mask the fund cuts to the voluntary sector and other public services, the UK government had had simply smooth talked on replenishing the civic society (Watt, 2010). The speed and extent with which funds were cut, especially as regards the voluntary sector, had implications of severe negative repercussions on Britain’s most vulnerable and marginalised segment of the society. Under the mask of the ‘flawed’ BIG society plan, there have been many ill-planned and rushed decisions to cut on funds and budgets at all levels, starting from the local councils to the central government (Unite the Union, Cameron’s ‘Big Society’ is an ‘intellectually flawed pipe dream’ for a 1950s Britain, says Unite, 2010). Various reports have revealed that the UK voluntary sectors that provide major care for the young homeless are facing severe difficulties owing to a series of fund cuts from the local government, central Government, and other funding organisations, like the banks. Concurrently, these organisations are facing greater pressure, pertaining from rising demands on their services due to rapidly increasing number of homeless youths in the UK, owing to rising unemployment, slashed benefits and curtailed public services. The UK voluntary sector have always faced fund related issues owing to stiff competition between the charitable organisations for fund-raising contracts, and finding varying resources for long-term funding. Al these have always created an atmosphere of uncertainty about sustainability of the charitable and non-profit making organisations, while further fund cuts owing to governmental policies are making the situation even worse. In a study by False Economy published in August 2011, which was based on responses from all across English local councils, revealed that nearly 2,000 organisations within the voluntary sector are reeling under severe staff crunch or facing closure of public services as local authorities cut or even remove their funding. The worst affected are the “childrens and young people-related charities,” with 383 charitable organisations being negatively affected (Jayanetti, 2011). In this context, Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (Acevo) claimed that the UK voluntary sector stood to lose almost £750m if “central and local government passed on cuts proportionately” (cited in, Ramesh, Charities fight for survival as funding slashed across country, 2011). The UK voluntary sector stood to lose further £250m owing to rise in VAT and a fall in tax breaks (ibid). In a report released by NCVO in 2011, revealed that the voluntary and community sector (VCS) in the UK voluntary would face cuts (public funding) that would amount to almost £911 million each year within the period 2015-16 (ncvo, Counting the Cuts, 2011). Overall, within the years 2011-2016, the sector would end up losing almost £2.8 billion, and in this context, the Scottish and Irish and voluntary sector umbrella organisations (NICVA and SCVO) maintained that NCVO had presented figures which were highly underrated, and the actual loses would be even higher (civilsociety.co.uk, NCVO has underestimated cuts to devolved nations, 2011). In the reports (July 2011) published by the London Voluntary Service Council (LVSC), it was revealed that nearly 81% of the voluntary sector organisations faced pressure from increased service demands during the period 2010-2011 (LVSC, The Big Squeeze, 2011). At the same time owing to lack of funds, almost 51% of the charitable organisations have already stopped conducting their charitable services, while amongst the remaining ones, another 54% are expected to close down by 2011-12. 77% of the still functioning organisations are expecting a cut down in their funding by 2011-12, which implies further lack of facilities (for youth homeless and other social issues) and staff redundancies (ibid). Along with the slash in public funding owing to governmental policies, various voluntary donations from the civic society have also decreased, owing to the global economic recession and increasing unemployment, which has worked towards intensifying the pressure faced by the UK voluntary sectors. Therefore, from the study it is evident that owing to the slashes in public funding, the charitable and non-profit organisations are being forced to cut down on their number of employees or are facing complete closure, even though there are increased instances of youth homelessness in the UK owing to the current economic recession and other associated social problems. This closing down of charitable organisations and their staff crunch is likely to have an adverse effect on the youth homelessness issue, as in the UK it is the voluntary sector that made major contributions towards providing services for those who are young and homeless. Conclusion From the study of the extent of cuts in public funding to the UK voluntary sector, it is quite apparent that there would be negative repercussions on the young homeless, in the UK. The young homeless that require greater assistance owing to other associated complex issues, like mental illnesses or substance abuse, are most likely to be worst affected, owing to a cut down in funds that is forcing many of the organisations within the voluntary sector to close or decrease their staff strength. References BBC, 2012. More young homeless seek help in Birmingham. [Online] available at, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-16809285[accessed 26th April 2012] civilsociety.co.uk, 2011. NCVO has underestimated cuts to devolved nations. [Online] available at, http://www.civilsociety.co.uk/finance/news/content/10198/ncvo_has_underestimated_cuts_to_devolved_nations [accessed 27th April 2012] Communities and Local Government, 2012. Statutory Homelessness: March Quarter 2011 England. [Online] available at, http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/statistics/pdf/2102020.pdf [accessed 27th April 2012] ncvo, 2011. Counting the Cuts. 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