Every primary school in Southwark accommodates the equivalent of a classroom full of homeless children.

The New Economics Foundation (NEF) has released a new report, titled "Nowhere to Grow," which sheds light on the burdens faced by children living in temporary accommodations in Southwark. The report will be available for public access from 00.01 on 20 August at this link.

According to the report, a lack of communication between schools, the healthcare system, and social care is leading to vital information about the health and wellbeing of these children being missed. The report is based on 12 qualitative interviews with parents, housing solicitors, clinicians, local authority staff, and education professionals.

The study found that the increase in children in temporary accommodation in Southwark is being driven by a chronic shortage of affordable homes across London. Between 2020 and 2024, the number of children in temporary accommodation in Southwark rose by 77%. startlingly, the New Economics Foundation found that 5.75% of children in Southwark live in temporary accommodation, a figure higher than the 25% rise seen across England.

The report also highlights wide-ranging harms experienced by these children, including mental health problems, malnutrition, and difficulties in school. Poor conditions and the inherent instability of temporary accommodation are causing exhaustion, fear, and anxiety in children in Southwark.

To address these issues, the NEF report recommends a "duty to communicate" for services like housing, health, and social care when placing children in temporary accommodation. It also suggests a dedicated role or team in local authorities for providing families with a single point of contact when navigating temporary accommodation.

Hollie Wright, researcher at the New Economics Foundation, suggests that local authorities like Southwark can take steps to protect children in temporary accommodation. The report underlines the urgent need for action to ensure the wellbeing of these vulnerable children who are falling through gaps in services.

Every primary school in Southwark accommodates the equivalent of a classroom full of homeless children.