Over half of teachers report having homeless pupils, says Shelter

More than half of teachers in state schools in England have worked with children who were homeless in the past year, according to new research commissioned by the housing charity Shelter.

The survey, carried out by Teacher Tapp, found that 52% of teachers had taught pupils experiencing homelessness, as record numbers of children are placed in temporary accommodation. Official figures show 175,025 children are currently homeless and living in such housing in England.

Further polling of members of the teachers’ union NASUWT who had worked with homeless pupils highlighted the scale of the impact on education. Three quarters of respondents said homelessness had contributed to poor performance in assessments or exams, while nine in 10 reported pupils arriving at school tired.

More than eight in 10 teachers said homeless pupils had missed school days, often because families were moved between temporary accommodation at short notice, sometimes to areas far from their existing schools. Three quarters said homelessness had significantly affected children’s mental health.

Families in temporary accommodation are frequently moved between bed and breakfasts, hostels and short-term lets, often in cramped conditions. Children may be required to share beds with parents or siblings and may have little or no space to study, particularly when preparing for exams.

Shelter said the findings reflected the combined effects of a shortage of social housing, high private rents and limits on housing benefit, which it said were being felt increasingly in classrooms.

The charity and NASUWT have called on the government to expand the supply of social housing, arguing that stable accommodation is critical to children’s education and wellbeing.

Likewise, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), Paul Whiteman, said the findings underlined the need for joined-up government action across education, housing and social policy to reduce the impact of homelessness on children. 

Sarah Elliott, chief executive of Shelter, said: “Children shouldn’t have to try and balance their studies with the experience of homelessness.”

Matt Wrack, general secretary of NASUWT, added: “These children’s future life chances are being put at risk due to their lack of a secure, safe and permanent home.”