Views of teenage parents on their support housing needs.

This paper describes how a group of health and social care professionals worked together, with support from a Research Development Support Unit (RDSU), to undertake a research project to give teenage parents a voice in identifying their support housing needs. The results informed local planning, and the support housing strategy. Data were collected from 25 young parents (20 mothers and five fathers) through semi-structured interviews and a small focus group. Routes into homelessness for the sample group are described, and their housing and support needs are identified. Key issues include the need to remain close to family links and support networks, help in applying for benefits, and support around mental health issues and domestic violence. Models of support housing were also discussed with the young people, and their preferences identified. The project has implications for practice in identifying at risks groups, inter-agency working, and areas for focussed work, including addressing the mental health needs of this group of young people. The project is an example of health visitors working as family-centred public health practitioners, collecting information in a systematic way, to inform strategy and planning.