Lewisham teachers ‘having to take on social work role’ due to huge numbers of homeless children

By Grainne Cuffe, Local Government Reporter

Homeless children are having to be given an extra helping hand by teachers, according to a new report.

Schools in Lewisham have “no choice but to take on a social work role,” according to the survey.

The report on the impact of temporary accommodation on children lists what primary schools do to support pupils suffering homelessness – and their families.

The committee visited two schools, Rathfern and Rushey Green Primary Schools in Catford, which reported a “shift in the support needs of families”.

The report added: “Whereas previously support was needed in the form of additional lessons, increasingly families needed additional play opportunities, emotional and mental health support, somebody to talk to, support with job applications, CV preparation, benefits applications, housing advocacy.”

The schools have taken to writing letters to help fix housing problems.

The report said: “Both schools acknowledged that while social work is not the school’s responsibility, they have no choice but to take on that role, supporting parents, signposting to specialist services, writing letters to help resolve housing problems.

“Often writing has little practical effect other than giving the parent a voice and offering much-needed reassurance. Both schools reported increasing demand for food bank vouchers.”

Only punctual pupils eating healthily, with space to do homework and play, will be properly rested and able to engage in lessons, the report says – but homeless children get poor sleep, no space and suffer ill-health.

Some schools are offering extended days available to those struggling with long journeys to allow children time before school to eat breakfast, and after school to play or do homework.

The school described a child becoming very possessive when toys were brought out.

“The child’s toys had all been packed away because the family was in very cramped temporary accommodation. The school responded by making toys available to be played with after school,” the report read.

One school gives out recycled uniform to all reception children regardless of need, and subsidises school dinners so that all children can have second or third helpings.

Both of the schools are part of the Magic Breakfast programme, and give out bagels for breakfast before school.

But according to the report: “Schools can only offer support to families living in temporary accommodation if they are aware of their living arrangements.

“Schools reported that families often take a long time before they open up to the school, whether because of embarrassment – one parent said ‘I feel like a failure for not providing a nice home for my children’ – or fear of officialdom, particularly if they have No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF).”

The schools said it was important to identify needs early “in order to break trajectories and see academic success and to avoid exclusions”.

Families and schools expressed frustration to the committee about their dealings with housing officers, who, according to schools, families cannot always name.

Staff had experience of working in other schools in the borough and the committee heard that good practice in supporting families living in temporary accommodation “is not consistent” across all Lewisham primary schools.

“They felt families could benefit from examples of good practice being shared across the borough’s schools via Lewisham Learning,” according to the report.

A Lewisham council spokesman said: “This important issue was identified by the select committee as an area for review.”