Every primary school in Southwark hosts the equivalent of one classroom full of homeless children
In a concerning development, a new report by the New Economics Foundation (NEF) has revealed that 5.75% of children in Southwark now reside in temporary accommodation. This figure represents a significant increase, with the number of children in temporary accommodation in Southwark rising by 77% between 2020 and 2024, from around 1,900 to 3,500 children.
The rapid increase is attributed to a chronic shortage of affordable homes across London. The report, titled "Nowhere to grow," was based on 12 qualitative interviews with various professionals, including parents, housing solicitors, clinicians, local authority staff, and education professionals. Southwark was used as a case study in the research, with interviews conducted remotely and thematically analyzed by the lead researcher.
The report suggests a "duty to communicate" for services like housing, health, and social care when placing children in temporary accommodation. This recommendation aims to ensure that vital information about the health and wellbeing of these children is not missed due to a lack of communication between schools, the healthcare system, and social care.
Unfortunately, despite legal duties for local authorities to protect children in temporary accommodation, vulnerable children are falling through gaps in services. The poor conditions and inherent instability of temporary accommodation are causing exhaustion, fear, and anxiety in children in Southwark. The wide-ranging harms experienced by these children include mental health problems, malnutrition, and difficulties in school.
In an effort to address these issues, Hollie Wright, researcher at the New Economics Foundation, recommends that local authorities like Southwark can take steps to protect children in temporary accommodation. One suggested solution is the creation of a dedicated role or team in local authorities to provide families with a single point of contact when navigating temporary accommodation.
The Children's Commissioner for England has also highlighted the issue, stating in a new report that for every primary school in Southwark, there is one class of homeless children. The Commissioner recommends measures such as a "duty to communicate" and a dedicated contact person or team within local authorities to better support families living in emergency accommodations.
The "Nowhere to grow" report will be available online at 00.01 on 20 August: https://neweconomics.org/2025/08/nowhere-to-grow
The complex legal system makes it difficult for parents to challenge decisions if their child is suffering as a result of the conditions of their temporary accommodation. This underscores the urgency of implementing the recommendations outlined in the report to ensure the wellbeing and protection of children in Southwark.
