Written questions by McDonald.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking help support local authorities to access suitable accommodation for homeless people to meet their (a) interim duty to accommodate and (b) main housing duty.

Homelessness levels are far too high. This Government recognises the devastating impact this can have on those affected, especially children.We must address this and deliver long term solutions. The Government is looking at these issues carefully and will develop a new cross government strategy, working with mayors and councils across the country to get us back on track to ending homelessness once and for all. This includes a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, bringing together ministers from across government.The Homelessness Reduction Act places duties on local housing authorities to take reasonable steps to try to prevent and relieve a person’s homelessness. If homelessness cannot be prevented or relieved, the local authority may owe the applicant a duty to provide them with temporary accommodation until settled accommodation is secured.All temporary accommodation must be safe and suitable. The Homelessness Code of Guidance is clear that temporary accommodation should not be considered suitable for a family with children under two if there is not enough space for a cot and that housing authorities should support families to secure a cot where needed. In addition, the legislation and guidance set out that in the first instance, local authorities should try to place individuals within their own area, and when this is not possible, they should place the household as near as possible to the original local authority.On 11 November 2024 the Deputy Prime Minister wrote to all local authority Chief Executives in England about out-of-area accommodation placements. This letter referred to section 208 of the Housing Act 1996 and reminded local authorities that they are required by law to notify the receiving local authority of any out-of-area placement and that this should be happening in every case. The placing authority should also seek to retain established links with schools, doctors, social workers and other key services and support wherever possible.We must build more homes in the areas where they are needed so we can reduce the need for out of area placements, which is why we will deliver the biggest increase to social and affordable housing in a generation.Local authorities are required to report homelessness data each quarter, including information on children in TA and out-of-area placements. The most recent figures for Q2 2024 can be accessed below using tab TA1: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statutory-homelessness-in-england-april-to-june-2024/statutory-homelessness-in-england-april-to-june-2024.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of local government (a) processes and (b) resources for identifying suitable accommodation for homeless people in the context of the (i) interim duty to accommodate and (ii) main housing duty in each year since 2010.

Homelessness levels are far too high. This Government recognises the devastating impact this can have on those affected, especially children.We must address this and deliver long term solutions. The Government is looking at these issues carefully and will develop a new cross government strategy, working with mayors and councils across the country to get us back on track to ending homelessness once and for all. This includes a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, bringing together ministers from across government.The Homelessness Reduction Act places duties on local housing authorities to take reasonable steps to try to prevent and relieve a person’s homelessness. If homelessness cannot be prevented or relieved, the local authority may owe the applicant a duty to provide them with temporary accommodation until settled accommodation is secured.All temporary accommodation must be safe and suitable. The Homelessness Code of Guidance is clear that temporary accommodation should not be considered suitable for a family with children under two if there is not enough space for a cot and that housing authorities should support families to secure a cot where needed. In addition, the legislation and guidance set out that in the first instance, local authorities should try to place individuals within their own area, and when this is not possible, they should place the household as near as possible to the original local authority.On 11 November 2024 the Deputy Prime Minister wrote to all local authority Chief Executives in England about out-of-area accommodation placements. This letter referred to section 208 of the Housing Act 1996 and reminded local authorities that they are required by law to notify the receiving local authority of any out-of-area placement and that this should be happening in every case. The placing authority should also seek to retain established links with schools, doctors, social workers and other key services and support wherever possible.We must build more homes in the areas where they are needed so we can reduce the need for out of area placements, which is why we will deliver the biggest increase to social and affordable housing in a generation.Local authorities are required to report homelessness data each quarter, including information on children in TA and out-of-area placements. The most recent figures for Q2 2024 can be accessed below using tab TA1: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statutory-homelessness-in-england-april-to-june-2024/statutory-homelessness-in-england-april-to-june-2024.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of local government capacity to provide suitable accommodation for homeless people within the same local authority boundaries.

Homelessness levels are far too high. This Government recognises the devastating impact this can have on those affected, especially children.We must address this and deliver long term solutions. The Government is looking at these issues carefully and will develop a new cross government strategy, working with mayors and councils across the country to get us back on track to ending homelessness once and for all. This includes a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, bringing together ministers from across government.The Homelessness Reduction Act places duties on local housing authorities to take reasonable steps to try to prevent and relieve a person’s homelessness. If homelessness cannot be prevented or relieved, the local authority may owe the applicant a duty to provide them with temporary accommodation until settled accommodation is secured.All temporary accommodation must be safe and suitable. The Homelessness Code of Guidance is clear that temporary accommodation should not be considered suitable for a family with children under two if there is not enough space for a cot and that housing authorities should support families to secure a cot where needed. In addition, the legislation and guidance set out that in the first instance, local authorities should try to place individuals within their own area, and when this is not possible, they should place the household as near as possible to the original local authority.On 11 November 2024 the Deputy Prime Minister wrote to all local authority Chief Executives in England about out-of-area accommodation placements. This letter referred to section 208 of the Housing Act 1996 and reminded local authorities that they are required by law to notify the receiving local authority of any out-of-area placement and that this should be happening in every case. The placing authority should also seek to retain established links with schools, doctors, social workers and other key services and support wherever possible.We must build more homes in the areas where they are needed so we can reduce the need for out of area placements, which is why we will deliver the biggest increase to social and affordable housing in a generation.Local authorities are required to report homelessness data each quarter, including information on children in TA and out-of-area placements. The most recent figures for Q2 2024 can be accessed below using tab TA1: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statutory-homelessness-in-england-april-to-june-2024/statutory-homelessness-in-england-april-to-june-2024.

What guidance her Department has issued to probation professionals on the steps they should take if someone with a community order is found to have previously had an acquired brain injury.

Probation practitioners work in collaboration with the NHS and other relevant agencies, to support anyone under their supervision (including those on community orders or being supervised following release from prison) who has any specific mental health requirement, including people with needs relating to an acquired brain injury. The Probation Service’s has issued a briefing to practitioners that explains acquired brain injury and its possible impacts, as well as giving guidance on how to provide support. An e-learning package on acquired brain injury is also available for probation practitioners.The contract for Commissioned Rehabilitation Services, which provide tailored support to people under probation supervision, requires suppliers to deliver services in a way which meets the additional and specific needs of anyone with learning difficulties and/or learning disabilities. We intend to include additional requirements in future contracts to require, more specifically, that services should meet the additional and specific needs of people with a neurodivergent condition, including those with acquired brain injuries.

What percentage of service users of the commissioned probation services for neurodiverse needs have a (a) known and (b) suspected brain injury.

The requested information is not held centrally. Collating it would involve contacting each of the 108 Probation Delivery Units, which could not be done without incurring disproportionate cost.

What support the commissioned probation services for neurodiverse needs provides to people with an acquired brain injury.

Probation practitioners work in collaboration with the NHS and other relevant agencies, to support anyone under their supervision (including those on community orders or being supervised following release from prison) who has any specific mental health requirement, including people with needs relating to an acquired brain injury. The Probation Service’s has issued a briefing to practitioners that explains acquired brain injury and its possible impacts, as well as giving guidance on how to provide support. An e-learning package on acquired brain injury is also available for probation practitioners.The contract for Commissioned Rehabilitation Services, which provide tailored support to people under probation supervision, requires suppliers to deliver services in a way which meets the additional and specific needs of anyone with learning difficulties and/or learning disabilities. We intend to include additional requirements in future contracts to require, more specifically, that services should meet the additional and specific needs of people with a neurodivergent condition, including those with acquired brain injuries.

How many prisons in England and Wales operate (a) a Linkworker Scheme and (b) another dedicated support scheme for people with acquired brain injury.

The requested information is not held centrally. Collating it would involve contacting 122 prisons individually, which could not be done without incurring disproportionate cost.

How many and what proportion of people aged (a) 14 to 17, (b) 18 to 25 and (c) 26 and older who were screened for acquired brain injury when they entered police custody were found to have a brain injury in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Police custody officers should carry out an assessment of the risk and vulnerability of everyone in custody, on an individual basis. This assessment should take into account the person’s behaviour, any signs of illness or injury, their communication, including information from all available sources and the circumstances and environment in which they were found.In accordance with Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 Code C paragraph 9.5, the custody officer must make sure that a detainee receives appropriate clinical attention as soon as reasonably practicable if the person: appears to be suffering from physical illness, is injured, appears to be suffering from a mental disorder or appears to need clinical attention.The Home Office does not issue guidance on custody healthcare. NHS England continue to support national policing by offering specialist support to the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) custodial healthcare portfolio, which also includes the authoring and maintaining of the Police custodial healthcare service specification.Data on the proportion of people in custody screened for or found to have an acquired brain injury is not held.The Home Office collects and publishes data on detentions in police custody, including age and whether an adult was vulnerable.The most recent data, for the year ending March 2023, is available here: Other PACE powers, year ending March 2023 (second edition) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

How many probation delivery units in England and Wales operate (a) a Linkworker Scheme and (b) another dedicated support scheme for people with acquired brain injury.

The requested information is not held centrally. Collating it would involve contacting each of the 108 Probation Delivery Units, which could not be done without incurring disproportionate cost.

How many and what proportion of people aged (a) 14 to 17, (b) 18 to 25 and (c) 26 and older who enter police custody were screened for acquired brain injury in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Police custody officers should carry out an assessment of the risk and vulnerability of everyone in custody, on an individual basis. This assessment should take into account the person’s behaviour, any signs of illness or injury, their communication, including information from all available sources and the circumstances and environment in which they were found.In accordance with Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 Code C paragraph 9.5, the custody officer must make sure that a detainee receives appropriate clinical attention as soon as reasonably practicable if the person: appears to be suffering from physical illness, is injured, appears to be suffering from a mental disorder or appears to need clinical attention.The Home Office does not issue guidance on custody healthcare. NHS England continue to support national policing by offering specialist support to the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) custodial healthcare portfolio, which also includes the authoring and maintaining of the Police custodial healthcare service specification.Data on the proportion of people in custody screened for or found to have an acquired brain injury is not held.The Home Office collects and publishes data on detentions in police custody, including age and whether an adult was vulnerable.The most recent data, for the year ending March 2023, is available here: Other PACE powers, year ending March 2023 (second edition) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

What guidance her Department has issued to probation professionals on the steps they should take if someone under post-custodial supervision is found to have previously had an acquired brain injury.

Probation practitioners work in collaboration with the NHS and other relevant agencies, to support anyone under their supervision (including those on community orders or being supervised following release from prison) who has any specific mental health requirement, including people with needs relating to an acquired brain injury. The Probation Service’s has issued a briefing to practitioners that explains acquired brain injury and its possible impacts, as well as giving guidance on how to provide support. An e-learning package on acquired brain injury is also available for probation practitioners.The contract for Commissioned Rehabilitation Services, which provide tailored support to people under probation supervision, requires suppliers to deliver services in a way which meets the additional and specific needs of anyone with learning difficulties and/or learning disabilities. We intend to include additional requirements in future contracts to require, more specifically, that services should meet the additional and specific needs of people with a neurodivergent condition, including those with acquired brain injuries.

How many and what proportion of people aged (a) 14 to 17, (b) 18 to 25 and (c) 26 and older who were sentenced to community orders were screened for an acquired brain injury in the most recent period for which figures are available.

The requested information is not held centrally. Collating it would involve contacting each of the 108 Probation Delivery Units, which could not be done without incurring disproportionate cost.

What guidance her Department issues on the steps the police should take when someone who enters police custody is found to have had an acquired brain injury.

Police custody officers should carry out an assessment of the risk and vulnerability of everyone in custody, on an individual basis. This assessment should take into account the person’s behaviour, any signs of illness or injury, their communication, including information from all available sources and the circumstances and environment in which they were found.In accordance with Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 Code C paragraph 9.5, the custody officer must make sure that a detainee receives appropriate clinical attention as soon as reasonably practicable if the person: appears to be suffering from physical illness, is injured, appears to be suffering from a mental disorder or appears to need clinical attention.The Home Office does not issue guidance on custody healthcare. NHS England continue to support national policing by offering specialist support to the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) custodial healthcare portfolio, which also includes the authoring and maintaining of the Police custodial healthcare service specification.Data on the proportion of people in custody screened for or found to have an acquired brain injury is not held.The Home Office collects and publishes data on detentions in police custody, including age and whether an adult was vulnerable.The most recent data, for the year ending March 2023, is available here: Other PACE powers, year ending March 2023 (second edition) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

What health pathways are available for people whose acquired brain injury is identified when they are in the criminal justice system.

People in prison are entitled to the same range and quality of health services that they would receive in the community. Offender health services are commissioned by NHS England.All people in prison should receive an early health screening within the first 24 hours of entry, and a further health assessment within seven days. The initial assessment is fully comprehensive, to ensure that all physical and mental health needs are identified, including if the person has a brain injury, and where appropriate, that treatment is commenced at an early stage.Health services in prison include health screening, primary care, secondary mental health, and substance misuse services. Where services cannot be provided in prison, prisoners are supported to access services with an appropriate escort.Local authorities are responsible for assessing individuals’ care and support needs and, where eligible, for meeting those needs. Where individuals do not meet the eligibility threshold, they can get support from their local authorities in making their own arrangements for care services, as set out in the Care Act 2014.Local authorities further have a duty to shape their care markets and commission a diverse range of care and support services that enable people to access quality care.

What social care pathways are available for people whose acquired brain injury is identified when they are in the criminal justice system.

People in prison are entitled to the same range and quality of health services that they would receive in the community. Offender health services are commissioned by NHS England.All people in prison should receive an early health screening within the first 24 hours of entry, and a further health assessment within seven days. The initial assessment is fully comprehensive, to ensure that all physical and mental health needs are identified, including if the person has a brain injury, and where appropriate, that treatment is commenced at an early stage.Health services in prison include health screening, primary care, secondary mental health, and substance misuse services. Where services cannot be provided in prison, prisoners are supported to access services with an appropriate escort.Local authorities are responsible for assessing individuals’ care and support needs and, where eligible, for meeting those needs. Where individuals do not meet the eligibility threshold, they can get support from their local authorities in making their own arrangements for care services, as set out in the Care Act 2014.Local authorities further have a duty to shape their care markets and commission a diverse range of care and support services that enable people to access quality care.

Communities and Local Government, what progress her Department has made on developing accountability processes for institutions that secure single funding settlements at the Spending Review.

Integrated Settlements will be supported by the establishment of a streamlined, overarching, single assurance framework coordinated by MHCLG rather than multiple frameworks administered by different departments. This will build on and will be incorporated into future editions of the English Devolution Accountability Framework.MHCLG’s Accounting Officer will act as the systems AO for the Integrated Settlement. Core accountability processes within the Authorities will be carried out by the Chief Executive, who will be responsible for agreeing outcomes with Government, local outcome delivery and value for money. Other government departments will sign off the outcomes and targets relevant to their functions. Further details on accountability arrangements are available at the following link.Authorities receiving Integrated Settlements at the start of the next financial year are undergoing a readiness check carried out by a body external to government for additional assurance.Further details of the Integrated Settlements for 2026-27 will be confirmed at the conclusion of Phase 2 of the Spending Review.

How many and what proportion of people aged (a) 14-17, (b) 18-25 and (c) 26 and over who enter prison custody and are assessed for brain injury within seven days are found to have an acquired brain injury.

The information requested is not held centrally. When children and young people between the ages of 14 and 17 years old enter the secure estate, they receive the Comprehensive Health Assessment Tool (CHAT) reception assessment within two hours. This is an evidence-based assessment tool for use with under 18-year-olds, and includes questions on traumatic brain injury. The questions included in the assessment ask whether they have ever experienced any loss of consciousness for over 30 minutes and whether they have experienced repeated loss of consciousness on more than three occasions.The child or young person will receive a further neurodisability assessment within ten days of admission as part of the CHAT. This also includes questions on traumatic brain injury. Clinicians would then determine the need for any ongoing referral as necessary.Those over the age of 18 years old who are entering the adult estate receive the reception assessment within 24 hours. This includes questions on whether they have disabilities and specifically asks:whether they have had a head injury in the past few days, and asks them to provide details about this; andwhether they have been a victim of domestic abuse.Practitioners are then asked to record whether a head injury is apparent or not and whether there is a history of loss of consciousness. Practitioners will also assess the severity of any potential head injury and whether any treatment is needed.Within one week of entering the adult estate, a secondary assessment will be conducted. This includes questions about brain injury. As part of the secondary assessment, practitioners will:note the number of head injuries and number of losses of consciousness;note any memory or concentration impairments; andask if the patient has ever lost consciousness for more than 20 minutes, and asks them to provide details about this.It would then be the clinicians’ discretion as to whether to also carry out a validated acquired brain injury screening tool as required.

How many and what proportion of people aged (a) 14-17, (b) 18-25 and (c) 26 and over who enter prison custody receive an assessment for previously acquired brain injury within seven days.

The information requested is not held centrally. When children and young people between the ages of 14 and 17 years old enter the secure estate, they receive the Comprehensive Health Assessment Tool (CHAT) reception assessment within two hours. This is an evidence-based assessment tool for use with under 18-year-olds, and includes questions on traumatic brain injury. The questions included in the assessment ask whether they have ever experienced any loss of consciousness for over 30 minutes and whether they have experienced repeated loss of consciousness on more than three occasions.The child or young person will receive a further neurodisability assessment within ten days of admission as part of the CHAT. This also includes questions on traumatic brain injury. Clinicians would then determine the need for any ongoing referral as necessary.Those over the age of 18 years old who are entering the adult estate receive the reception assessment within 24 hours. This includes questions on whether they have disabilities and specifically asks:whether they have had a head injury in the past few days, and asks them to provide details about this; andwhether they have been a victim of domestic abuse.Practitioners are then asked to record whether a head injury is apparent or not and whether there is a history of loss of consciousness. Practitioners will also assess the severity of any potential head injury and whether any treatment is needed.Within one week of entering the adult estate, a secondary assessment will be conducted. This includes questions about brain injury. As part of the secondary assessment, practitioners will:note the number of head injuries and number of losses of consciousness;note any memory or concentration impairments; andask if the patient has ever lost consciousness for more than 20 minutes, and asks them to provide details about this.It would then be the clinicians’ discretion as to whether to also carry out a validated acquired brain injury screening tool as required.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to publish outcomes of annual discussions with combined mayoral authorities.

Outcomes of conversations with Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) are not currently published by government.From 2025/26, we will introduce Integrated Settlements, starting in Greater Manchester and the West Midlands. Authorities will be monitored against a single outcomes framework that provides a structured approach to defining, measuring, and reporting on the MCAs’ performance on single settlement delivery during the SR period. The outcomes framework will be published by HMG and each of the MCAs.

How many and what proportion of people aged (a) 14-17, (b) 18-25 and (c) 26 and over who enter prison custody receive a screening for previously acquired brain injury within 24 hours.

The information requested is not held centrally. When children and young people between the ages of 14 and 17 years old enter the secure estate, they receive the Comprehensive Health Assessment Tool (CHAT) reception assessment within two hours. This is an evidence-based assessment tool for use with under 18-year-olds, and includes questions on traumatic brain injury. The questions included in the assessment ask whether they have ever experienced any loss of consciousness for over 30 minutes and whether they have experienced repeated loss of consciousness on more than three occasions.The child or young person will receive a further neurodisability assessment within ten days of admission as part of the CHAT. This also includes questions on traumatic brain injury. Clinicians would then determine the need for any ongoing referral as necessary.Those over the age of 18 years old who are entering the adult estate receive the reception assessment within 24 hours. This includes questions on whether they have disabilities and specifically asks:whether they have had a head injury in the past few days, and asks them to provide details about this; andwhether they have been a victim of domestic abuse.Practitioners are then asked to record whether a head injury is apparent or not and whether there is a history of loss of consciousness. Practitioners will also assess the severity of any potential head injury and whether any treatment is needed.Within one week of entering the adult estate, a secondary assessment will be conducted. This includes questions about brain injury. As part of the secondary assessment, practitioners will:note the number of head injuries and number of losses of consciousness;note any memory or concentration impairments; andask if the patient has ever lost consciousness for more than 20 minutes, and asks them to provide details about this.It would then be the clinicians’ discretion as to whether to also carry out a validated acquired brain injury screening tool as required.