HEREFORDSHIRE Council leaders have agreed to commission a housing support service for vulnerable young people in the county.

Health and adult wellbeing cabinet member Pauline Crockett said the housing accommodation would be complimented by prevention services specifically developed for vulnerable young people aged 16 to 25.

Officers say the service will improve outcomes for local vulnerable young adults and focus on meeting their individual needs through good quality accommodation and flexible support.

The housing itself will be provided in Hereford by a local registered housing provider but the accommodation-based outreach and mediation support will be commissioned from a specialist support provider via a competitive procurement process.

The support services will operate from the accommodation in Hereford and outreach and mediation services will support young people throughout the county.

Procurement will commence in June 2020, and its rollout is expected to align with the completion of building works and the end of an existing supported accommodation contract for young people on October 31.

Liberal Democrat councillor Terry James told yesterday's (June 4) cabinet meeting he wholeheartedly supported the proposals.

“25 years ago there was very little support, if any, for those vulnerable children,” he said.

“And children in care who left the system were thrown into the deep as it were.”

Green Party group leader Trish Marsh also welcomed the proposals.

“I’m glad it’s more local and more flexible and that we will be able to do a great deal more prevention so that there is parallel provision for people with more complex needs,” she said.

Councillor John Hardwick said the Independent group was very supportive of the scheme and congratulated officers Christa Jackson, Ewen Archibald and their team for all the work they have done.

While Conservative councillor Carole Gandy, who also supports the proposals, acknowledged the council had made a lot of progress.