Press Release
Homeless Mediation Project
SHETLAND Islands Council’s Housing Service has launched an innovative Homeless Mediation Project in collaboration with Family Mediation Shetland.
The project, which will run for one year, is aimed at young people aged 16 to 17 and hopes to prevent crisis homelessness where possible, by attempting to rebuild positive relationships between the young person and their family or carers.
Young people in this age group, who present as homeless, will now be referred to Family Mediation Shetland where they will have the opportunity to sit down and chat in confidence with an impartial mediator about their situation.
Mediation between young people and their families has been identified by the Scottish Government as an important intervention in the prevention of youth homelessness. It is a voluntary, confidential process in which a trained, impartial mediator helps family members to communicate more effectively with each other, to consider options that will help them to work through their differences and to make arrangements for the future.
Shona Manson from Family Mediation Shetland said;
“The most common reason for young people in Shetland becoming homeless is family disagreement. Minor problems in the home can quickly escalate in to something more serious and this can end up with the young person no longer being able to stay there”
“By introducing mediation at the start of the process, we hope to reduce the likelihood of homelessness by helping families to communicate better, improve their relationships and reach a decision that is acceptable to everyone involved.”
“Previously, if relationships broke down at home, it could be a long time before family members would communicate again – thus leaving the young person potentially without any family support. With the opportunity to be involved in mediation from the start, there is a better chance of maintaining supportive links with their family or carer.”
There are relatively high numbers of young people who present as homeless in Shetland each year. During 2009/10, 29 young people aged 16 to 17 presented as homeless in Shetland. This was 10% of the total presentations in that year.
By working with Family Mediation Shetland, the Housing Service hopes to provide young people with an opportunity to consider the nature of their situation and enable them to make realistic choices about their future housing circumstances.
Vaila Simpson from the Housing Service said;
“The Housing Service recognises the importance of positive social networks and knows that with practical and emotional family support, young people manage much better in their first home.”
“We are not expecting homelessness to be prevented in every case”, said Vaila. “But by helping to maintain good relationships within families we will be able to reduce the impact of homelessness on the young person, should it occur”
“In the end, a good outcome would be that the young person feels able to pop home for mince and tatties once a week or get some help with their washing”, said Shona.
“The best outcome of course would be preventing crisis homelessness and where possible, the young person being able to return to the family home”.