FOI release

Young children in temporary accommodation

Case reference FOI2026/00212

Received 6 February 2026

Published 9 February 2026

Request

I am requesting the following information under FOI:

1) How many children were 0-1 years old when they were placed in temporary accommodation in each of the calendar years 2024 and 2025?

2) How many children were 1-2 years old when they were placed in temporary accommodation in each of the calendar years 2024 and 2025?

3) Do you provide cots to households in temporary accommodation?

4)Do you provide written or verbal safer sleep advice to families with children under the age of 2 moving into temporary accommodation?

5) Do you currently have any local policy on the space that must be provided in temporary accommodation to a family with a child under 2 who will need space for a cot? If yes, please provide this policy.

Response

1) How many children were 0-1 years old when they were placed in temporary accommodation in each of the calendar years 2024 and 2025?

Between 1st January 2024 - 31st December 2024, 5 children between 0-1 were placed into temporary accommodation.

Between 1st January 2025 - 31st December 2025, 11 children between 1-2 were placed into temporary accommodation.

2) How many children were 1-2 years old when they were placed in temporary accommodation in each of the calendar years 2024 and 2025?

Between 1st January 2024 - 31st December 2024, 4 children between 0-1 were placed into temporary accommodation.

Between 1st January 2025 - 31st December 2025, 7 children between 1-2 were placed into temporary accommodation.

3) Do you provide cots to households in temporary accommodation?

Yes, where required.

4) Do you provide written or verbal safer sleep advice to families with children under the age of 2 moving into temporary accommodation?

No formal written advice is provided. May provide informal verbal advice or signpost to relevant organisations (e.g. family hub).

5) Do you currently have any local policy on the space that must be provided in temporary accommodation to a family with a child under 2 who will need space for a cot? If yes, please provide this policy.

The Council do not have a formal policy specifically focused on temporary accommodation space standards for households including children under 2. The Council's Temporary Accommodation Policy states:

When deciding if a TA placement is suitable, consideration will be given to Chapter 17 of the Homelessness Code of Guidance for Local Authorities, which states that the following factors need to be taken into account:

  • Location

  • Size, Condition and facilities

  • Health factors

  • Education

  • Employment

  • Proximity to services

  • Any special circumstances 

Assessments for suitability of a TA placement will be completed on a case-by-case basis to ensure any TA offered is considered reasonable and suitable for the household involved, considering the circumstances of the individual or household and the resources available.

Documents

There are no documents for this release.

This is Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.