A survey has revealed a third of teachers in the North-West teach homeless pupils.
Shelter surveyed teachers across England and found that over half of the teachers in England have worked at a school with children who live in temporary accommodation. In the North-West, 35% of teachers have directly worked with a homeless pupil in their classroom.
There is a record number of 175,025 children estimated to be living in temporary accommodation across England, according to the latest Annual Homelessness Report from charity Shelter. This number covers both children living in temporary accommodation and children who are accommodated by social services under the Children’s Act.
Teachers have noticed the impact homelessness has on children in the classroom. 89% of the teachers surveyed by Shelter said school readiness, academic performance, and mental health and self-esteem were the three key negative effects of homelessness on a child.
One teacher from Manchester – who wishes to remain anonymous – shared their experience:
“I’ve seen children who had a stable home life then something happened, and they’re put in temporary accommodation. You’d see a sudden sharp decline in their behaviour, academics, and everything.
“There’s less focus in class, more behavioural problems and arguing with other children. They can’t cope with things that they previously could. They’re tired, can’t concentrate and finding it difficult towards the end of the day.”
Laura Burgess, Head of Research and Policy at the Resolve Party, spoke on the prevalence of child poverty in the North-west: “Child poverty rates in the North West and specifically in Greater Manchester are above average. Nationally, 31% of children are living in poverty, which is an astounding and worrying figure.
“But in parts of Greater Manchester, the rate of child poverty is much higher, with Salford, Rochdale, Bolton and Manchester all having well over 4 in 10 children living in poverty.”
The teacher shared what schools have done to support the rising number of school children in temporary accommodation.
“My impression is that schools in Manchester have a lot more pastoral support. There are social workers who are directly involved in schools who advise us of what to do.
“I try my best to support the kids in class and make sure they get snacks at breaktime. There’s only so much I can do.”
They continued: “Legally, we’re not allowed to give them food, and we’d be in trouble because it’s seen as a gift. So, they’re given food vouchers and directed to food banks in the local area. And what the children tell me about the accommodation is that it isn’t very safe It’s just terrifying for them.”
Last summer, Mayor Andy Burnham called for PM Kier Starmer to take on the “moral mission” of tackling homelessness. The estimated number of homeless people in the North-West has risen from 21,826 to 25,132 since 2024.
Local authorities in Greater Manchester spend over £75 million per year on temporary accommodation rents, according to the government’s Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee report on temporary accommodation. The report also recommends more funding towards preventing homelessness.