Fighting for fairer laws
Our team of lawyers represents families and their children and challenges local housing decisions that leave families homeless and desperate.
The team identifies and takes on cases in which the housing needs of children – whether within families or as unaccompanied teenagers – are a central factor. We ensure that homeless children have a voice in the judicial system.
Since the English Children’s Legal Service Team was launched in October 2007 it has worked closely with Shelter’s services and other organisations to provide specific legal advice and representation to families facing housing and homelessness issues. So far, a total of 91 children have benefited from our work and out of 15 closed cases, 73% (11 clients) kept their home, were re-housed or found new accommodation.
The areas of work covered to date include homelessness, unfit and overcrowded housing, possession proceedings and community care. The team is also finding ways to support families who are usually not entitled to legal aid in collaboration with our key funder – Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.
We aim to create new case law and a fairer legal framework that will protect the interests of homeless children now and in the future. Our Scottish Children’s Legal Service will commence as soon as funding is received.
