The role of social workers in Housing First for Youth (HF4Y): insights into their involvement and collaboration across Europe

The Housing First for Youth (HF4Y) model offers a transformative, rights-based response to youth homelessness by prioritising immediate housing alongside youth-centred support. As HF4Y programmes expand across Europe, the role of social workers remains variable, shaped by national policies and workforce structures. This article provides a comparative analysis of social workers’ involvement in HF4Y across Belgium, Spain, Wales and Scotland, identifying common professional functions and country-specific challenges. Employing a qualitative, two-phase research design, the article first draws on semi-structured interviews with HF4Y professionals (social workers, support workers and coordinators). Thematic analysis explores (1) how social workers contribute to HF4Y implementation and (2) the barriers they face. The second phase deepens the analysis, focusing on recurring themes, such as role ambiguity, interagency collaboration and systemic housing barriers. Grey literature and policy documents further contextualise findings within broader European trends. Results show that social workers are key in case management, advocacy and coordination, but their involvement varies. Some countries use multi-professional teams where responsibilities are shared. Systemic challenges, such as housing shortages, heavy caseloads and service misalignment, impede effective delivery. This article highlights the need for clearer role definitions, stronger interdisciplinary collaboration and sustainable workforce strategies to enhance HF4Y implementation.