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• Centre of Excellence for second year running

Knowsley Council is investing £10,000 in initiatives to prevent young people becoming homeless.

The award comes as Knowsley is named the North West Regional Centre of Excellence in Youth Homelessness for the second year running.

The award from Communities and Local Government recognises Knowsley’s achievements in preventing and reducing youth homelessness in the borough and the wider region. Knowsley is the only council in the North West to receive the Regional Centre of Excellence award and for the second consecutive year.

Councillor Graham Morgan, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said “Knowsley Council does some excellent work with its partners across the borough and works closely with young people to understand the issues that affect them and to prevent them from becoming homeless. The initiatives in place help keep young people safe and ensure that they receive support to grow into independent and responsible adults and make a positive contribution to Knowsley.”

As a result of Knowsley’s prevention work the number of 16 to 24 year olds accepted as homeless in the borough has reduced from 324 in 2006/2007 to 243 in 2007/2008.

Knowsley marked its current status as North West Regional Centre of Excellence by hosting a conference that invited other local authorities and partners to share experiences and learn more about the prevention work that is carried out across the region.

Notes to editors
Communities and Local Government (CLG) has identified Knowsley Council to act as a Regional Centre of Excellence (RCOE).

Knowsley will continue to work with other local authorities and partners to provide support and share their experience of:

•  preventing youth homelessness
• accommodating young people (16-25) who are at risk of homelessness or have been accepted as homeless;
• supporting young people in establishing sustainable and independent adult lives.
  Knowsley will also:
• work with individual councils to carry out action planning days, peer reviews and training events
• work with established regional and sub-regional networks to expand membership and promote innovation and improvement.