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Living in temporary accommodation can be a harrowing experience, particularly for neurodivergent children. A recent report from King’s College London has described the conditions in these living spaces for such children as “torture,” revealing the profound psychological toll it takes on their well-being. The findings highlight the urgent need for reform in housing policies affecting vulnerable families.
The Harsh Reality of Temporary Accommodation
A growing number of families in England are finding themselves in temporary accommodation (TA) due to the ongoing housing crisis and escalating cost of living. Between April and June 2025, around 172,420 children were recorded living in these precarious situations, which can include hotels, hostels, and shared living spaces. Designed as short-term solutions, many families report enduring years in TA, often averaging 4.5 years in these unstable conditions.
The experiences documented in the report expose a distressing truth: while all children are adversely affected by living in TA, neurodivergent children—those with special educational needs and disabilities—face particularly severe consequences. Families have described their children becoming withdrawn or excessively alert due to the chaotic environments, constant noise, and disruption of familiar routines.
A Mother’s Heartbreaking Story
Agatha Phiri and her nine-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, know this struggle all too well. After becoming homeless upon exiting the asylum system, they spent a year in temporary accommodation in Oldham. Elizabeth, who has ADHD and suspected autism, experienced daily challenges that left her deeply affected.
Phiri recalls the relentless noise that filled their small room, often shared with residents facing their own struggles. “She says noise makes her body feel pain and triggers her a lot. We had to experience that every single day in that temporary accommodation,” Phiri shared. The constant disturbances not only disrupted their sleep but also instilled a pervasive fear in Elizabeth, who now battles severe anxiety.
“I would think: ‘Oh my God, what have we done?’” Phiri recounted. “At 3 am, we were wide awake, holding each other’s hands, terrified.” The absence of a stable environment meant that basic routines were nearly impossible to maintain, and Elizabeth’s educational needs went unmet.
The Psychological Toll
The report underscores that neurodivergent children thrive in predictable and safe environments. However, temporary accommodation often involves abrupt relocations and significant disruptions to their education and support systems. As noted in the findings, this instability can induce a state of emotional deprivation, leading to profound psychological distress.
Phiri expressed her frustration, stating, “My daughter needs a routine. But it was messed up; we couldn’t even get homework done because of the chaos.” The cramped conditions also meant that personal milestones, like birthdays, were celebrated in a single room, devoid of friends or family to share in those moments.
Call for Change
Siobhain McDonagh, MP and chair of the all-party parliamentary group focused on households in temporary accommodation, described the report’s revelations as a “horrifying reality” for many children. She emphasised that it is morally unjustifiable for these children to endure such conditions, which resemble imprisonment.
The report advocates for significant policy changes, urging the incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into UK law. This would ensure that children’s rights are central to housing and homelessness decisions. Additionally, it calls for a review of restrictive visitor policies in TA, which currently prevent families from receiving much-needed support.
Why it Matters
The plight of neurodivergent children in temporary accommodation shines a spotlight on a neglected aspect of child welfare in the UK. As families grapple with the consequences of a broken housing system, the emotional and psychological scars borne by these children can last a lifetime. Addressing these issues is not merely a matter of policy reform; it is a moral imperative that demands immediate attention and action to safeguard the rights and well-being of the most vulnerable in our society.
