To ask the Minister for Communities for his assessment of how partnership working between his Department, the Department of Health, Health and Social Care Trusts and the Housing Executive can be enhanced to improve transition planning for young people in care and help prevent homelessness among care leavers.

This issue is an operational matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. I have sought the requested information from the Chief Executive, who has advised me as follows:

“The Housing Executive continues to support young people leaving care via delivery of shared responsibilities with Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts towards meeting the accommodation needs of 16 and 17 year olds which is set out in legislation and the NIHE / HSC Regional Good Practice Guidance on Meeting the Accommodation and Support Needs of Young People aged 16-21.

The Youth Homelessness Action Plan which was launched on 25 November 2024 contains a commitment to review the Regional Good Practice Guidance to ensure that young people leaving care are supported. Work on the delivery of this action has already commenced.

The Housing Executive has facilitated training with the Children’s Law Centre and established dedicated Housing Advisors and Team Leaders in all Areas to aid young people presenting as homeless. These staff work closely in partnership with the relevant HSC Trust to shape the service around the needs of the young person.

The Housing Executive has also been working closely with a range of statutory sector partners in the development of an action plan in respect of young people leaving care.

Following the review of the Jointly Commissioned Supported Accommodation, Supporting People and Health have established Local Planning Partnership Groups in each HSC Trust, the purpose of which is to address need and seek to improve services and provision to improve outcomes for young people.”

For any future queries relating to operational matters, you may wish to contact the NIHE directly. Making direct contact with the ALB will ensure that you receive the information in the shortest possible timeframe and make best use of public resources.