CONNECT THE MAGAZINE OF THE HOMELESSNESS SECTOR
ROUTES INSIDE
WHERE NEXT? YOUR WORDS
ROUTES INSIDE
WELFARE AWARE
This summer, we asked for your help to refresh the vision to end homelessness. Here’s what you said.
A 16 page special on some of the sector’s achievements on rough sleeping this year.
With another wave of Welfare Reform on the horizon, we look at what’s coming next - and how to prepare.
8-10 ISSN 2046-2921
17-32
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CONNECT DECEMBER 2012, ISSUE 47 | WWW.HOMELESS.ORG.UK
0300 500 0914
StreetLink is a telephone line and website available across England which enables members of the public to alert local authorities about people sleeping rough in their area. It offers the public a means to act when they see someone sleeping rough and is the first step someone can take to ensure people living on the streets are connected to the local services and support available to them.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Members of the public can simply call 0300 500 0914 or log on to www.streetlink.org.uk. The details reported will be sent to the local authority, so they can help connect the person to local services and support. The person reporting the problem will receive details of the action the local authority normally takes when they are told someone is sleeping rough. StreetLink will also contact the council within 10 working days to find out what has happened as a result of the alert and, if requested, provide the person who made the report with an update. Your local authority should already have received details on the process of receiving and acting on referrals. If you work for a local authority homelessness team and need more information, please get in touch with Lucy Stickney lucy.stickney@homelesslink.org.uk
WHY HAS IT BEEN SET UP?
Evidence suggests that some individuals sleeping rough may not be known to local services while not all rough sleepers are aware that advice and services are available to them. StreetLink aims to help address this by providing the first step the public can take to ensure rough sleepers are connected to the local services and support available to them. StreetLink is funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government as part of their commitment to end rough sleeping in England.
WILL IT REPLACE OTHER SERVICES?
No. In areas of England, where local telephone lines already exist, StreetLink will tell these services if someone in their area contacts them. In other areas, StreetLink will give the public a way to act when they are concerned about someone sleeping rough.
CONNECT DECEMBER 2012 | ISSUE 47
WELCOME
IN CONNECT 47 4
UPFRONT
6
FREE ONLINE EVENTS
7
NAC SPOTLIGHT
8
WHERE NEXT FOR HOMELESSNESS?
Opening words from Rick Henderson, CEO.
34
Sign up for new events, catch up on past ones.
under 25s.
36
National Advisory Council update from Jon Cox.
A snapshot of what you told us in our summer
38
PREPARE, ACT, PUBLICISE, SHARE As local authorities debate their Supporting People budgets, we urge you to take action to make sure homelessness isn’t overlooked.
INCOMING! Hard hat and trenchcoats at the ready - it’s time
39
TELLING TALES Charities are often criticised for the way they
Reform, and what you can do to prepare your
portray the people they help. We look at two
service and clients for it.
alternatives to ‘poverty porn’ that have helped people tell their own stories.
AUTUMN ONLINE Liz Zacharias of SHP writes about their latest project to help make sure the people they
42
support have the online skills they need. ASSESS ME, CAPABLY Kate Grace gives a very personal account of her
ROUTES INSIDE A 16 page focus on rough sleeping - including profiles of regional No Second Night Out projects
SUPER STRONG CALL TO ACTION Mike Nicholas of Thames Reach urges services to keep campaigning on Super Strength alcohol.
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experience of the Work Capability Assessment.
17
New Forest Nightstop is the only provision for explains what it does and the impact it has.
to focus on the advancing forces of Welfare
15
THE NIGHTSTOP TRINITY homeless people in the area. Its sole employee
provision.
14
Our latest findings on youth homelessness - and a petition from Centrepoint on Housing Benefit for
consultation on the future of homelessness
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YOUNG & HOMELESS
ART IN THE COMMUNITY Laura McCullagh writes about two projects that put creativity at the heart of the community.
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MANAGING PEOPLE In her regular column, Helen Giles looks at the pros and cons of a career in homelessness.
and views from across England.
33
WHAT’S ON? ARE YOU READY FOR THE FUTURE? HTF Director Samantha Rennie asks: what could
RESOURCES
your service do with £25,000 to help prepare for the future?
www.homeless.org.uk/connect
NEXT IN CONNECT: In CONNECT 48, the first edition of 2013, we take a long hard look at the impact of Welfare Reform on you and the people you work with. Story to share? Get in touch - editor@homelesslink.org.uk SUBSCRIPTIONS: to subscribe or take out additional subscriptions, please email connect@homelesslink.org.uk EDITOR: Martin Reed COVER IMAGES: by Georgina Cranston, from Where From? Where Now? (see page39)
WWW.HOMELESS.ORG.UK
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UPFRONT
CONNECT DECEMBER 2012 | ISSUE 47
UPFRONT Having joined Homeless Link in
have faced cuts to the services you provide. But the vision
July, my first few months in post
hasn’t failed. Despite the recession, you have managed
have flown by. It’s great to be
to ensure that help for rough sleepers continues to be in
part of a sector that is so full of
place and that available support is more effective than
energy and passion.
ever.
I’ve been able to visit member
The fact that over 30 communities have adopted the
organisations across England
No Second Night Out standard bears testament to this
and have been impressed
fact. In places such London, although rough sleeping has
by the scale and diversity of approaches in tackling
increased, more people are getting helped more quickly
homelessness and rough sleeping.
than ever before.
BY THE END OF 2012
Your success in continuing to help people despite the
The post-Olympic honeymoon period is a good time to
cuts and increased demand for help shows what is
reflect on the progress we have made towards ending
possible. It might take us longer to achieve an end to
rough sleeping. In 2006, at a time when rough sleeping
rough sleeping but the ambition is every bit as relevant as
numbers were falling and the homelessness sector was
it was when we set it in 2006.
benefiting from increased government spending, there was a strong belief that if we targeted the right support at
We have a choice. We can choose to look at the
the right time we could stop people living on our streets.
worsening economic situation, the threat of more cuts, the hurdles presented by welfare reform – and decide it’s
Here we are at the end of 2012, so what’s changed?
time to focus on survival until the situation improves.
Well, driven by the recession, the number of people sleeping rough has increased across England and you
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Or we can continue to achieve, in spite of the challenges.
CONNECT DECEMBER 2012 | ISSUE 47
NEWS
STRONG FOUNDATIONS
we need to focus on both preventing homelessness and
Thanks to you, the sector understands better than ever
ensuring that more support and housing is available to
why people end up on the streets, and how to support
help people become independent. Rough sleeping is
them back inside. Services have and are changing to
only part of the picture.
reflect this. It is said that problems aren’t solved by throwing money The fall in the number of long-term rough sleepers in
at them. Yet by the same token we can’t be expected to
many areas is just one of the many successes you have
tackle a problem as complex as homelessness without
achieved. As is the focus on getting help to new rough
significant investment of resources. Many of the services
sleepers as quickly as possible via initiatives like Street Link
I visit are cash poor but passion rich, making the most
and No Second Night Out.
of their limited resources. But this isn’t just about money – it’s also about time, commitment, energy, creativity,
Your help with campaigning has pushed rough sleeping
and forging partnerships with other services and sectors,
and homelessness firmly up the political agenda. Many
making sure they understand that it’s their responsibility
local and national politicians, who might previously have
too.
given little thought to the complex lives of the people you support, now have to acknowledge that homelessness
And it’s also about targeting our efforts where they will
is no longer something they can step over on the way
have the greatest impact.
home from the opera. That is why, this summer, we ran ‘Where Next for And even while we see homelessness figures rise, there
Homelessness?’ a sector wide consultation, inviting
are still examples of local initiatives producing astonishing
views from you, related sectors and those who have
results. Places like Leicester, where a Rough Sleeper Task
experienced homelessness. What you told us will feed into
Force pilot successfully reduced levels of rough sleeping
our refreshed vision to end homelessness, which will be
by three quarters, in just three months. You’ll find a feature
launched early in 2013, to define Homeless Link’s priorities
on Leicester and other rough sleeping projects later in the
for the next few years. Many thanks to everyone who took
magazine.
part.
WHERE NEXT?
You can read some of the key messages later in this
If we are to truly tackle the issue of rough sleeping then
magazine, but you told us that society needs to (cont)
WWW.HOMELESS.ORG.UK
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NEWS
CONNECT DECEMBER 2012 | ISSUE 47
improve support for young people, to prevent another
streets when the cold weather ends.
generation of rough sleepers. You also stressed the need to improve access to healthcare for homeless people,
But, I’m convinced that it’s the sort of challenge that
and that we should offer more personalised solutions,
brings out the best in people, and demonstrates just how
where clients shape the support they get.
resilient this sector really is.
LAST WORDS
Season’s Greetings from everyone at Homeless Link – we
The sector traditionally rallies in winter to ensure that
look forward to working with you through the challenges
nobody has to spend time on the streets. This year,
and opportunities of 2013.
with rough sleeper numbers on the increase, it will be especially challenging to meet these needs – and to
Rick Henderson
ensure that people who do find shelter don’t return to the
Chief Executive, Homeless Link
FREE EVENTS ONLINE Our series of free webinars, sponsored by Cloud 9 (www.thecharitycloud.co.uk) is designed to keep you up to date with the latest practice and policy developments in homelessness today.
UNDERSTANDING WOMEN’S HOMELESSNESS - 17 JANUARY 2013 This webinar will: •
introduce St Mungo’s Rebuilding Shattered Lives campaign and how you can become involved in it
•
give an overview of the evidence and learning gathered so far
•
discuss the importance of the issues homeless women face
•
share good practice from a service that works directly with homeless women
•
give a brief update on what next for the campaign.
BOOK NOW: homeless.org.uk/web-women
EFFECTIVE ACTION: PLANNING PATHWAYS - 22 & 29 JANUARY 2013 These two online events will look at the use of planning pathways to set up an activity in a service and to develop a programme of activities for clients. They will help you take a structured approach to activities planning, from a strategic level through to delivery. BOOK NOW: homeless.org.uk/web-planning
MISSED AN EVENT? CATCH UP HERE... If you haven’t been able to attend one of our online events, you can catch up on our website. We’ve recently added webinars on welfare reform, giving homeless people a voice online, and the benefits of moving IT into the cloud.
homeless.org.uk/events/online
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NAC
NAC SPOTLIGHT The latest update from our National Advisory Council of members, which helps shape the work of Homeless Link - from Jon Cox, NAC Chair and Two Saints Head of Business Development. Visit homeless.org.uk/nac While threats to our sector have
on ‘Where Next for Homelessness?’ designed to feed
amassed over the past year,
into Homeless Link’s summer consultation with the
members – via the team at
homelessness sector on what Homeless Link’s priorities
Homeless Link – have enjoyed
(and those of the sector) should be going forward.
an unprecedented level of influence at governmental level.
We asked, when do people stop being homeless and
The team’s carefully developed
whether the sector sustains homelessness? How can we
relationships, alongside timely
evidence the value of the sector and what is Homeless
and targeted policy work, have
Link’s role in doing this? What are the current key issues
enabled a number of ‘wins’ for
and critical support needs in the resettlement process?
providers and clients alike. These include establishing
And we asked who are the most marginalised groups in
critical exemptions to the Shared Accommodation Rate
the ‘homeless’ community? Over the next few pages, you
(SAR) for many of our clients and influencing the decision
will find some of the key points raised in this and related
to remove eligible costs for exempt supported housing
discussions that have been happening over the summer,
from Universal Credit.
in the regions and online.
We still face a great many challenges, Welfare Reform
In an open forum session, members expressed deep
related and otherwise. We still have an opportunity to
concerns about:
use our voice to shape what happens, protecting critical services and the people who use them from potentially
•
the impact on clients and services of council tax
devastating consequences which decision makers may
benefit reforms which will require many to pay up to
not have considered.
30% of their bill from disposable income
The team at Homeless Link have made such robust,
•
the resource intensiveness, effectiveness and
effective and evidence based representations because
efficiency of the tendering, procurement and re-
members have been able to give them the hard
commissioning approach which has pervaded in
evidence they needed, often at short notice. So, as a call
recent months
to arms, I would urge you to do all you can to respond to Homeless Link’s requests for quantitative and case study information on key issues. It’s worth it.
•
members also highlighted the potential exclusion of the most complex and needy clients as contracts become more prescriptively outcomes driven.
In September, we welcomed Rick Henderson to his first NAC meeting. He spoke of the importance of the NAC,
In closing, I proposed an amendment to the NAC
gave an update on Homeless Link’s immediate priorities,
membership to ensure that Homeless Link’s membership
and committed to getting out into the regions to visit non
is properly represented by the right skill and knowledge
London based members over the coming months.
mix going forward. This has now been agreed. If you would like to be considered as an NAC Representative
Following a debate on the needs of homeless women,
as vacancies arise please email Emma Dore for more
and discussed the validity and availability of the arts
information: emma.dore@homeless.org.uk.
in homelessness services (homeless.org.uk/arts) , we moved to the main item of the day – a lively debate
Jon Cox, Two Saints - NAC Chair
WWW.HOMELESS.ORG.UK
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WHERE NEXT
FOR HOMELESSNESS? This summer, we asked for your help to refresh the steps we need to take to end homelessness. What you told us will help direct our vision and efforts over the next few years. Here is a snapshot of what you said. Homeless Link has a simple vision - an England free
With a Government comprehensive spending review and
of homelessness. Where the right help prevents
a general election on the horizon, Homeless Link wanted
homelessness before it begins, no one lives on our streets
to make the strongest possible case to policy makers and
and anyone who has been homeless is supported to take
politicians for the need to invest in working towards an
control of their futures.
end to homelessness. In order to achieve this, Homeless Link sought the homelessness sector’s views to help refresh
In 2010, we published the steps to achieving this ambition
the steps needed to end homelessness.
in our manifesto ‘Ending Homelessness Together’. However, with homeless numbers on the rise, many
Approximately 300 of you took part in ‘Where Next for
services facing funding cuts and some of the biggest
Homelessness’ – in our regional meetings, online debates,
Government reforms in a generation, we knew we
and by written responses. The 300 included homelessness
needed to take stock and to reflect on whether we
professionals, people who have experienced
should find new ways to achieve our goal of ending
homelessness, and professionals from related sectors.
homelessness. Your views have been invaluable in helping to build a How do we:
picture of some of the current priorities and concerns held by agencies and individuals.
•
Make sure that services are targeted at those who are most at risk and most in need?
We’ll publish a detailed report of the debate soon – but in the meantime, here are some of the major themes you
•
Have the most effective ways of identifying those who
talked about.
are most vulnerable to homelessness? THE FUTURE OF FUNDING •
Make preventing homelessness everyone’s business,
AND HOMELESS LINK’S ROLE IN IT
engaging health, criminal justice, social care and
Concern around funding was a major theme throughout
other professional groups in achieving the ambition?
most debates. A number of organisations feel apocryphal about the future of the sector, and that we
•
Ensure that individuals get the best support possible
have only just started to feel the impact of the cuts. Some
to rebuild a life away from homelessness?
believe that the sector will change out of all recognition over the coming years, with more and more agencies
•
Ensure that funding for homeless people is
unable to survive.
safeguarded and delivers choice and control to clients?
You told us you want Homeless Link to lead the way in articulating the value of what you do, particularly the
•
Make sure that the right Government policies are in
value charities bring as opposed to private companies.
place nationally and locally?
Some of you feel we could play a valuable role in taking a firm stance over the balance between minimum
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CONNECT DECEMBER 2012 | ISSUE 47
contract prices vs. quality of support.
FEATURES
PERSONALISE, PERSONALISE, PERSONALISE A strong theme underlying all responses is the need to
A number of you raised concerns over local
provide personalised responses to people’s needs. At one
procurement and commissioning, questioning whether
client consultation event in London, attendees talked
all local authority staff carrying out commissioning
about there being too much emphasis on conforming to
and procurement have a sufficient understanding of
the rules of society and that people should not be forced
homelessness, or even commissioning skills. You remain
into anything.
concerned that quality no longer features in the commissioning process, with too many contracts driven
Every individual will have a different route to recovery
by price and a desire to achieve maximum return for
and for each it will take a different length of time, with
minimum price.
different support required. Services need to be designed around the individual rather than people being forced to
There is a consistent concern from agencies that as
fit with services. In a consultation event in London, people
competition amongst groups for decreasing funding
questioned whether the single service offer given through
increases, those individuals for whom there was no
No Second Night Out models ran counter to a desire to
statutory duty to provide support will be the most
give people choice and personalise services.
vulnerable to cuts. Attendees at the same event were enthusiastic about This is particularly heightened for some by the fact that
personalisation and choice, but there was a feeling
the term ‘homelessness’ does not sufficiently articulate
that despite the rhetoric there is not enough flexibility in
the range of services provided by agencies, although
the system to offer it, and that with cuts the flexibility is
there was a strong preference for retaining the term
diminishing further.
‘homelessness’ over multiple and complex needs
“Different types for different people.” - respondent who has None of you favoured a single funding stream for
experienced homelessness
support to homeless people, citing the dependence on Supporting People as an example of being too
THE NEED FOR A RANGE OF SERVICES
vulnerable to cuts in one area.
You told us that one size doesn’t fit all and that we need a wide range of services to suit a wide range of needs.
The sector is divided over payment by results; some feel it could offer a good opportunity. Others are
We talked about hostels – what shape should they take,
concerned about its application to homelessness. They
and what is their role, in the future of homelessness?
are concerned about who would set the measures and
While some of you feel that hostels are best for people
whose results they would be. There are also concerns that
with higher, more complex needs who require intensive
too strong a focus on payment by results would result in
support, many respondents with experience of
some in the sector ‘cherry picking’ clients.
homelessness hold deep concerns around hostels being viewed as the only answer in relation to service provision.
“I am not comfortable with the idea of payment by results, I worry that the results that are asked for won’t be the results that are best for the people we’re helping.” -
There was a common feeling that putting people with different needs together could jeopardise individuals’ recovery.
homelessness professional
There is recognition of the need to have more diverse
“Brief interventions bring brief results” - homelessness
models of support for people with different needs; for
professional
example putting people who are currently using drugs with people who are in recovery is not felt to be helpful to
“The new health commissioning structure shouldn’t just focus on diagnosing and treating the medical conditions of homeless people. It must also become a leader in creating coordinated services that work for vulnerable groups.” - health sector leader
either groups. Many respondents supported the Housing First model but it should not be the only approach and needs to be part of a suite of a range of models of available provision. Some of you told us that supported housing needs to be better understood and valued locally and nationally. WWW.HOMELESS.ORG.UK
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“Even though you’re surrounded by people it’s a lonely place. For someone coming in here that doesn’t know the system it’s an alien place, people speak a different language. You can be dragged into circles you want to get away from.” - respondent who has experienced homelessness
•
There should be far more emphasis on prevention by the homelessness sector, as well as by other agencies working with people before they become homeless.
•
You told us that ‘homelessness’ is the best term to describe the sector, rather than ‘multiple needs’.
“Larger hostels may have a place, but smaller personable units have a great advantage of being able to sit alongside communities, maintain a sense of normalisation and easier to then start to look at the underlining issues and provide intensive support.” respondent to the online debate
However, we need to better articulate the work and value of the sector to ensure the word and its implications are properly understood. •
Funding remains a challenge, and there are concerns the future for support to homeless people
THE BIG THEMES •
You told us our ambition should still be ending
remains bleak. •
You told us that homelessness should still be
homelessness – but you said we need to articulate
recognised as more than simply housing. We need
more clearly how this can be achieved. We need
to keep stressing the links with health, employment,
to identify the priority issues that will take us closer
social networks, and more.
towards achieving this goal. • •
Not enough attention is being paid to the support
We need to keep focusing on the structural, as well as
people get when they have moved into their own
individual factors, that lead to homelessness.
accommodation. It is widely recognised that people can be very vulnerable at this time, so more help
•
The support offered to people should be personalised
needs to be offered to build networks and manage
and responsive to individual need. We need to work
challenges. You told us this support should not be
with individuals to help them find their own solutions
time limited, as it is at present. It should be offered for
to escape homelessness.
as long as the individual needs it.
MANY THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE DEBATE
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FEATURES
INCOMING! LIFE IN THE TRENCHES OF WELFARE REFORM Kathleen Caper highlights the next wave of big changes to hit services and clients. Alice Evans looks at what you can do to get ready.
If you’re starting to feel as though Welfare Reform is an allout assault on your service and clients, I don’t think you’re alone. Now that the smoke has cleared from the Shared Accommodation Rate changes, perhaps you’ve risked a peep over the top of your trench. You’ve seen what’s approaching. You know it’s only just begun. What’s coming represents some of the biggest changes to the benefit system since it was introduced in 1945. We don’t yet know all the detail – the precise design of
Universal Credit, for instance, will only become clear after the regulations are laid in Parliament this month – but regardless of the finer points, it’s essential to start getting ready. You need to arm yourselves and your clients with new knowledge and skills. Individuals, frontline staff, and managers, are likely to have to change their approach to supporting people and managing finances. One thing is clear. There’s no point sitting in your trench. Tin hats on. It’s time to go over the top.
READY THE WAR ROOM Planning is everything. These changes will impact many
just jam jar accounts? Talk to local bank managers and
aspects of your clients’ lives. It’s about more than just
agree processes that will get your clients the accounts
raising awareness. It’s about offering practical help to
they need. We’ve heard of several cases where this has
make sure they’re ready.
worked.
BUILD A PICTURE
DIGITAL INCLUSION
Do you know what benefits clients are claiming?
Do people using your services have access to IT – and if yes, is it private, accessible and secure? What skills do
ADAPT YOUR SUPPORT SESSIONS
they have, and do you and your colleagues have the
Financial management is going to be essential for the
skills to help them? At the very least, applications for
people you support – so you need to be sure that you
benefits will need to be made online. What additional
and your colleagues are comfortable talking about
pressure will this put on your existing IT resource? What
money and supporting your clients with it. Encourage
can you do to prepare people for online access when
people to talk about their needs as part of their journey
they move on from your accommodation? There will be
towards employment and make financial inclusion a core
other options for people who can’t use the internet to
part of the support you offer from the start t, not just a
access benefits – for instance face to face meetings and
few weeks before people move on. Clients will need to
conversations by phone – but it is critical that people who
develop skills and knowledge around budgeting, access
fall into this category don’t start doing things online and
to bank accounts and other financial products – not
then simply abandon it.
to mention the practicalities of moving into long-term accommodation without support from the Social Fund.
SPECIAL OPS Now is the time to form a welfare aware working group.
BANKING
Don’t wait until the next wave of changes in April - or
Do your clients have bank accounts – and if yes, do those
for when your area is one of the first to adopt Universal
accounts allow them to pay direct debits or are they
Credit. WWW.HOMELESS.ORG.UK
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KEEP YOUR HEAD IN NO MAN’S LAND YOUR STAFF
to develop activities, pre-employment programmes,
Do your staff know what’s coming and when? Don’t leave
and partnerships across the area. The events also led to
it to chance. You need a rolling programme of updates
partnerships between two local colleges and services,
and training: staff need to understand the current systems
leading to educational support for clients.
for the next few years, as well as the incoming system. Why? Because for a while you’re going to be supporting
‘COVER ME’
some clients who are on Universal Credit and others who
Keep your clients informed of the changes, and plan with
are still on existing benefits. Homeless Link can help you –
them, making sure they understand how important it is
with online resources, factsheets and webinars, as well as
to be completely transparent with their Jobcentre Plus
Welfare Reform training and a dedicated national event
advisor.
on 21st March 2013. Advisors do have some flexibility, depending on how far YOUR CLIENTS
the individual is from the labour market, but they can
Don’t rely on letters and posters – or anything else
only offer this flexibility if they understand who they are
that can be ignored or mislaid. Be creative in getting
talking to. For instance, there will be exceptions in place
the important messages across to your clients. Will
for people who are homeless – such as paying rent direct
door knocking work best? In Lambeth, Broadway was
to landlords – but many clients don’t necessarily identify
funded to door knock people affected by the Shared
themselves as homeless if they’re living in supported
Accommodation Rate. This direct approach was far more
accommodation.
effective than other methods. The better you know your clients, the better you’ll know which approach will be
The first meeting with the advisor will be critical – so
most successful.
accompany people, making sure you keep copies of any action plans agreed - because sanctions will follow if
WISE ALLIANCES
clients don’t stick to them.
This is a prime time to forge partnerships with your local Jobcentre Plus. In Barnsley, two events on training,
On a practical note, telling Jobcentre Plus which local
employment and meaningful activities were held, and
addresses are hostels or supported housing projects will
attended by 50 people. As a result, Jobcentre Plus is
help advisors to flag early on the additional options they
working more closely with individual services, helping
might be able to offer to people.
COMING SOON With all the noise about the introduction of Universal
vouchers and food parcels. It is unlikely that they will
Credit in 2013 it’s easy to get the impression it’s the only
include a cash loan service. We know that many people
welfare reform in town – but in a few months a wide range
rely on crisis loans and community care grants to fund
of significant changes to benefits will come into effect.
their move into independent accommodation, and
The impact of these changes will be felt most acutely by
that those with adequately equipped homes are more
people in high support projects and those about to or
likely to sustain their tenancy. Donations of furniture and
who have recently moved on.
household equipment may be available, but the end of crisis loans will cause problems in finding rent in advance
THE END OF THE SOCIAL FUND
for some people.
In April 2013, crisis loans and community care grants will cease, and the budget for this support will be handed
BENEFIT CAP
to local authorities to devise and deliver their own ‘local
April also sees the arrival of the Benefit Cap. Although the
welfare assistance’ schemes. These schemes are likely
vast majority of people affected by the cap are families
to consist of donations of furniture and other goods,
living in areas with high rents, our research estimates that
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FEATURES
MANAGE THE RATION BOOK There will be support available to agencies from the Department of Work and Pensions to help people to get ready for managing finances. Keep an eye out for this fund. We don’t yet know how it will be promoted, but it is likely to be via local financial inclusion partnerships, or Jobcentre Plus. Investigate now and get ready to start building partnerships to access this money.
YOUR SECTOR NEEDS YOU! Please share your experiences with Homeless Link. If you tell us what works and what doesn’t, we can make sure that other organisations benefit from it.
WELFARE AWARE CONFERENCE 21 MARCH 2013, LONDON With so many changes happening so quickly it can be difficult to keep on top of it all. This event - aimed at managers of services looking to prepare their service and staff, and frontline staff who are supporting clients through the changes - will provide you with detailed advice on what the changes are, when they are occurring and how you can prepare your service and your clients for these changes. We’ll look at what to do as a service to prepare for the changes, how to support your clients prepare for the changes, and how to work more closely with your local council and JobCentrePlus. And it will be a great opportunity to talk to other services with similar experiences of getting to grips with the changes.
Find out more... homeless.org.uk/event_welfare_aware
up to 10% of people living in supported accommodation
expenses. The local authority should also prioritise a DHP
could be affected. If the rent charged by your service is
where a person living in supported accommodation is
around £250 per week now, there is a strong chance that
affected by the benefit cap.
clients receiving a work related Employment and Support Allowance will exceed that cap. Initially, the deduction
However, there will be high demand for DHPs from April as
will come straight out of housing benefit.
they are being promoted as the answer to the shortfalls people experience as a result of wider welfare changes.
COUNCIL TAX Council Tax support is also being devolved to local
Now is the time to approach your local authority directly
authorities. In some local authority areas people who
to find out about their local welfare assistance scheme,
receive council tax benefit may need to pay between
and to find out whether they have considered the
10% - 30% of the bill – a cost they won’t have had to
needs of homeless people moving into independent
budget for in the past. There are serious consequences if
accommodation.
council tax is not paid, and it can easily escalate to going to court.
For ongoing updates on benefit changes, what you need to do about them, and the likely impact on homelessness
WHAT CAN YOU DO? Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) can be used for rent deposits, rent in advance and other housing related
services and homeless people, visit
homeless.org.uk/welfare-reform WWW.HOMELESS.ORG.UK
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COMMENT
CONNECT DECEMBER 2012 | ISSUE 47
AUTUMN ONLINE Liz Zacharias of SHP reports on Autumn Online, the latest chapter in a partnership project designed to ensure vulnerable people are not left behind when services go digital. Now that the government is adopting a strategy of
less access to the support and resources they need.
‘Digital by Default’ and access to public services is becoming increasingly dependent on the internet, it is
When Universal Credit is introduced nationally next
vital to find effective ways of tackling digital exclusion in
October, for example, clients will need to make
order to prevent the people we support becoming even
applications and access information through an online
more isolated.
account – whether independently, or with professional help. Job searches and recruitment processes are
With this in mind, SHP teamed up with social enterprise
already conducted primarily online. The list goes on.
On Road to ensure our clients could develop the skills and confidence required to thrive online.
CREATING ACCESS The simplest reason why the people we work with could
THE CASE FOR DIGITAL INCLUSION
get left behind if public services shift online is that they do
The Government’s Civil Service Reform Plan aims to
not have the equipment or financial resources to connect
ensure that online services will be the default position for
to the internet.
people needing Government services. While this seismic shift is designed to enable service provision to increase in
The first step in our effort to help SHP clients online was
both quality and scale, it brings with it an imperative to
therefore to provide secure access to internet-enabled
ensure that no one is left even further behind, with even
computers in as many support offices
14
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(cont on page 16)
CONNECT DECEMBER 2012 | ISSUE 47
FEATURES
ASSESS ME, CAPABLY The Government recently claimed that “strenuous efforts to improve the Work Capability Assessment are indeed making a difference.” But can it really take into account the complex journeys people take out of homelessness? Kate Grace, who has been supported by SHP, writes about her own experience of the WCA. Come for a work capability assessment, it said on the
he says, and not an expert in ‘these things’. He’s in a hurry
letter. Don’t be late. You must turn up. If you don’t we
to get rid of me.
could dock your ESA benefit. That’s how I ended up in a very clinical government building in Marylebone on a
I used to cope with my self-loathing at being abused,
Saturday afternoon in March.
by wearing my addict hat at a jaunty angle. When I took that off 15 months ago, the
What they don’t tell you in the
flashbacks came back like devils
letter is what to really expect.
from hell. So did the dissociation. I find myself dissociate now. I
I last worked in August 2011. I
shut up and leave my body. It
wish I could work now. I wish I
seems easier than explaining to
hadn’t been diagnosed with
the nice doctor that I’d rather
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
not be living alone in a bedsit
but I was, which means I can
because I’m incapable of being
work until something upsets me
in a relationship. I can’t be arsed
or triggers a flashback to the
to tell him that looking at my past
powerlessness of being abused
isn’t self-indulgent time-wasting.
as a small child. All bets are
I’m not opening a can of worms
off when that happens. The
for fun. I don’t tell him it’s painful
fight or flight mechanism cuts
to feel you’ve been drowning in
in and I either walk out of the
booze all your adult life. I don’t
workplace or tell someone
tell him that I’m committed, not
(usually the boss, always a
to an institution, but to getting
man) to go fuck themselves.
better.
That isn’t the best way to stay
I want to tell him I do this
in a job, and so my cycle of
‘feelings’ work because I want
losing jobs continues.
to live, not die by hurting myself because of what someone else did to me when I was too
The good news is that I’m getting better, with the help
young to understand that I wasn’t to blame.
of a psychotherapist provided by Solace Woman’s Aid, medication from my GP – and by learning new skills like:
I’ve left my body. I’m on the ceiling. I hear him say
how to shut up when I’d rather swear; saying ‘no’ nicely;
something about photocopying the report. I say goodbye
and some academic theory with Christine Sanderson
and leave the building. I know I’m in danger because I’m
at City Lit, who has helped me understand the science
only partly conscious. I buy chips, chocolate, and fags
behind the often random behaviour that stems from
for comfort. I’m disorientated and need to get away from
being sexually abused as a kid.
traffic fast. My medical ends with me getting on the first bus I see and ending up in Edgware.
Fast forward to my work capability assessment in March. The doctor checks I’m physically OK. Then he asks about
What can I say? It beats getting drunk.
my mental health. I hand him my psychiatrist’s notes. As he reads I can see he wishes he hadn’t asked. He’s a GP,
unheardholler.blogspot.com WWW.HOMELESS.ORG.UK
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FEATURES
CONNECT DECEMBER 2012 | ISSUE 47
and accommodation offices as possible. While
INCLUDING THE MOST EXCLUDED
computers are available in libraries and internet cafes,
Having opened up internet access and demonstrated
it takes both confidence and forward-planning to make
its democracy, we worked with On Road to find ways to
use of these, so providing free and convenient access
engage people facing multiple issues such as substance
closer to home is a must.
dependency and mental ill health.
ENABLING SELF-EXPRESSION
Supported by the Big Lottery Fund, “Autumn Online” saw
The partnership began with a blog. On Road staff ran a
On Road running drop-in workshops with residents of five
series of workshops using blogging as a tool for exploring
SHP hostels, enthusing more than 30 clients to access
the internet - setting up email addresses, researching
information online, set up e-mail addresses, make short
stories, making short videos and publishing short articles.
films and write blogs.
This citizen journalism approach immediately highlighted the internet’s power to override social hierarchy,
Whether or not you can create a specific digital inclusion
demonstrating that people facing social exclusion can
programme, the single biggest step organisations
be active contributors rather than passive recipients of
can take is to ensure that staff pay attention to digital
information.
inclusion, and do what they can to encourage and support their clients to develop the skills they will require
Run by a steering group of SHP clients, the blog is
to access the services they need.
called ‘Unheard Holler’, which has been the source for national news scoops, received over 10,000 visits, and
unheardholler.blogspot.com
was nominated for the Nominet Internet Awards and
onroadmedia.org.uk
Technology 4 Good Awards last summer.
shp.org.uk
TOP STEPS FOR BUILDING DIGITAL ACTIVITIES
THAT HELP CLIENTS GROW ONLINE SET THE RIGHT TONE Create a comfortable, approachable and fun
Hopefully when he does he can just go on a computer and see this.” Peter
atmosphere in each service. It will make sure people want to take part.
GET CREATIVE As clients become comfortable with computers and
VARY THE FOCUS
online technology, they can see it more as an opportunity
Video is becoming more and more important in how
to learn new skills.
people interact online. Encourage participants to do interviews and enjoy editing short videos they have shot locally.
WORK TOGETHER
“Making this film opened my eyes to greater possibilities. A goal in my life is to synthesise music and paintings or light. This is a step in the direction of what I want to be doing.” Stephen
Encourage clients to help each other access government
USE MENTORS
websites, seek information on illnesses, pension advice,
Get more experienced clients to help mentor those who
benefits changes and local services.
are new to the internet.
MAKE IT PERSONAL
USE THE MOMENTUM
Encourage participants to complete more personal
Staff at one of our North London hostels noticed that
projects.
the workshops helped boost enthusiasm towards IT. They
“I made a video for my son and daughter. I see my two-year-old son almost every day, but I’m going to detox and rehab for six months and he’ll miss me. 16
WWW.HOMELESS.ORG.UK
are capitalising on this by supporting clients to continue working on the goals they established in the workshops, from writing blog posts to uploading videos to YouTube.
FEATURES
CONNECT JULY 2012 | ISSUE 46
CONNECT DECEMBER 2012 | ISSUE 47
ROUGH SLEEPING
ROUTES
INSIDE
Mark McPherson, Homeless Link’s Director of Practice & Regions, comments on the challenges and opportunities we face in tackling rough sleeping in the current environment. For a long time, we have held the view that rough
Health reform: at a national level we have been working
sleeping should be a thing of the past. We wrote it in our
with the Health Inclusion Board and at a local level we
manifesto, we encouraged you to share the ambition,
are working with our partners to ensure that homelessness
and we worked with partner agencies to define what an
is clearly part of the new Clinical Commissioning Groups
end to rough sleeping would look like.
agendas. Localism gives us the opportunity to engage far more with local politicians and candidates - which
•
No one new to the streets should spend a second
can lead to incredible results, as you’ll see on page 21.
night out
Criminal justice: links between homelessness and crime
•
No one should live on the streets
is well known – which means there is an opportunity to
•
No one should return to the streets once they have
work with the new Police and Crime commissioners. This
been helped off them, and ultimately
agenda is new and we should be able to influence it.
•
No one should arrive on the streets. FOCUS ON PREVENTION
But it’s difficult to keep your eye on a vision like that, when
We need to start thinking more about how we can
so many ‘environmental’ factors seem to be getting in
prevent rough sleeping and homelessness, rather
the way. In a time of tightened resources and economic
than alleviate it. This year’s Ministerial Working Group
stagnation we are inevitably seeing a rise in homelessness
Paper, ‘Making every contact count’, emphasises the
and rough sleeping.
importance of preventing problems before they arise.
We know that 58% of you have experienced cuts to
It is a common sense argument but all too often it does
funding, and there are 1,587 fewer bed spaces available
not translate into common practice. For the most part we
across the sector. And as you will have seen on page 11,
know what to do, but we are inhibited by the rules that
we know the impact that changes to benefits will have.
we have made for ourselves and intimidated by custom and practice.
BUT IT HASN’T STOPPED YOU Being aware of the issues and obstacles is one thing – but
We need to change our mind set. As well as asking how
it’s clear from the work you are doing that they haven’t
we meet this need we’ve got to look at how we can
made you give up.
reduce it. We need a mindset that sees funding in these types of services as an investment in our future, in order
In this section, you’ll read opinions from across the
to avoid funds being ‘raided’ to deal with short term
homelessness sector on the challenges and possibilities
pressures.
ahead. You’ll read about seven very different No Second Night Out projects across England. You’ll read about a
An obvious starting point is to look at housing options
project that reduced rough sleeping by three quarters in
services, and the support and advice available there.
just three months. They all go to show that the vision and
But we also need to work with services in other sectors,
motivation to end rough sleeping hasn’t faded at all.
on identifying the key transition points that people go through before becoming homeless. That’s what effective
THE OPPORTUNITIES
prevention needs to look like - making sure that for every
While there are challenges in the current environment,
one of those transition points, there is also a mechanism
there are also opportunities.
that allows a person to recover, before it’s too late. WWW.HOMELESS.ORG.UK
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ROUGH SLEEPING
CONNECT DECEMBER 2012 | ISSUE 47
YOUR VIEWS We invited you to share your views on rough sleeping - on what you’ve achieved, the risks, and what must be done to avoid them. This is what you told us. Opinion to share? Write to us: editor@homelesslink.org.uk
THE SAFETY NET
HELEN HOWSON, BRIDGE HOUSING
teams, housing providers and local authorities. Partners are coming together, learning from best practice and using feedback from service users to develop better
Many people are homeless in the first place because
ways of working. Rough sleepers tell us that they hate
they have been unable to secure good quality advice,
having to repeat their story over and over again as each
information and advocacy to prevent homelessness.
agency demands they complete its assessment. Our new
While there are many good examples of effective advice
rough sleeping hubs will be places of safety offering a
services, provision is woefully under resourced resulting in
single assessment and access to accommodation.
limited access. This remains a key barrier to preventing people from becoming street homeless in the first place.
But we should not get over-enthusiastic about our new approach. We need to carefully evaluate our progress, in
The life histories of homeless people show that a large
consultation with rough sleepers and not declare victory
proportion of rough sleepers attempted to resolve their
too early. Single assessment is great but if it leads to a
housing problems before they ended up on the streets.
single service offer backed by legal enforcement we
Homeless people themselves have given examples
should proceed with the greatest of caution.
of approaches to local authorities for help and report having been fobbed off or given information which was
Let’s not lose sight of the fact that we do have a housing
unhelpful.
crisis and we have damning reports of the inadequacy of mental health services. Until we can guarantee a single
Our partnership with Charnwood Borough Council
service offer for everyone, in a place of change service
provides independent information, advice and
based on the MEAM approach, let’s listen to what rough
advocacy to homeless and potentially homeless people.
sleepers have to say. They have an important message to
The service is tailored to the needs of individuals. Highly
give us and it is never wise, whatever the circumstances
focused prevention work includes working with vulnerable
to shoot, the messenger.
prisoners to ensure that people do not lose their homes while in prison. Good quality information, advice and advocacy mean that homeless people can be at the centre of making choices, securing rights and making
WHAT YOU REALLY NEED MCTAGGART, SHP
decisions. Advice helps promote the independence of homeless people and enables them to remain in control
The moon was glistening on the snow covered ground.
of their own lives.
A sharp screech sounded through the night. I thought of an owl making a kill, now silently flying away with its take
Welfare Reform and changes to housing tenure, including
away meal.
the criminalisation of certain forms of squatting, mean that vulnerable people have lots of changes to navigate
Yes, I really do have some pleasant memories of sleeping
and the need for high quality advice services to prevent
rough, like this one of being close to nature. More often
homelessness should be at the forefront of work within the
than not though, the experience isn’t pleasant.
homelessness field. You’re cold and lonely, vulnerable and isolated. Large
KEEP LISTENING
GILL BROWN, BRIGHTER FUTURES
cities can be uncaring places for the homeless. People abuse you not just verbally but physically too – laughing, pissing on you, kicking, punching and pouring beer over you, shouting “have a drink mate”. You end up soaked in
No Second Night Out (NSNO) creates a compelling case
whatever they throw at you, your sleeping bag, clothes,
for new systems of partnership working between outreach
everything soaked in piss and beer.
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CONNECT DECEMBER 2012 | ISSUE 47
ROUGH SLEEPING
Most people just ignore you or look at you blankly, maybe
This situation will be further exacerbated by the demand
wondering why you are there or thinking: go away, you
driven cost of renting, which is set to rise, as a result of
are spoiling my night out, you are an embarrassment to
changes in government policy, and more flexibility for
me and my town. And there are a few who mean well.
local authorities to discharge their priority duties into
They stop to talk to you, maybe give you some food, a hot
the private rented sector, alongside the dark shadow
drink or some money.
of ‘universal credit’ and welfare reform, we are bracing ourselves for a significant increase in rough sleeper
But actually, where you really need help is in the transition
numbers – in spite of some of the most innovative
from homelessness into accommodation. You can’t just
coordinated front line working being delivered.
give someone a bed in a room and tell yourself your job’s done. We need to see more staff who work with
King Canute springs to mind.
homeless people and rough sleepers supporting them in the practical side of moving off the street – helping them successfully keep their accommodation, paying the rent and utility bills, becoming independent.
YOUNG PEOPLE NEED MORE UNA BARRY MBE, DEPAUL UK
But independent where? Isn’t it obvious? You redevelop
Depaul UK is committed to the ideal of prevention and
the empty houses and empty properties, whether
that no young person should sleep rough. In order to
they are council or privately owned. Rent them at an
tackle this problem, Depaul Nightstop UK has been
affordable rate to generate income for the council,
following a strategy of increasing the national coverage
and they won’t have to pay so much out for hostels or
and number of bed nights available from a network
bed and breakfast accommodation. All it takes is for
of accredited Nightstops across the country. We know
the government and local councils to have the will to
demand is increasing and that councils are decreasing
do something about it – and to be prepared to work
services in general due to the cuts being imposed.
together.
Moreover, some local authorities are slow to implement the G vs Southward ruling relating to homeless 16 and 17
HOLDING BACK THE TIDE SARAH WARD, BCHA
year olds. All young people who become homeless are at risk of sexual exploitation or abuse, and are often at their most
As an organisation working across a number of local
vulnerable when faced with homelessness.
authority areas, we see a wide variety of responses being made to changes in government policy and consider
Nightstop is a community solution to a community
there potential impact on vulnerable client groups. We
problem and encourages good willed people who have
are most concerned that the Localism Act is being used
a spare room to volunteer some time and space to help
by some local authorities as a tool to ignore the needs of
a young person. Most young people become homeless
the most vulnerable groups in their communities. In some
because of family breakdown. If Nightstop and family
cases, local allocation policies have been redesigned
mediation can become part of the pathway for homeless
to exclude people who are not seen as the ‘deserving’
young people within a local authority, it can provide
needy – particularly the rough sleeper population – by
a cost effective resolution to the problems of youth
introducing strict criteria such as the requirement to be in
homelessness.
work or education. In the words of one 19 year old: “Nightstop basically gave With no central government control, local authorities are now free to introduce radical changes to homelessness provision with little or no regard for the longer term
me a second chance ... There was somebody there to look over me. I was going to be alright, there was people to look after me and help me where I needed the help.”
community or the impact on individuals. How many people are now aware that DCLG specialist advisors can now only intervene in local provision if the authority ‘invites’ them in?
THE REAL PRICE
DAVID FORD, EXPERT PANEL
We have no doubt that this approach will not only result
I walked through a cold and wet Croydon town centre
in a large increase in numbers rough sleeping, but will
last night on my way back from visiting Ziggy, a rough
also destroy the vital and long established networks that
sleeper, who is in hospital yet again and quite seriously ill.
offer support to these vulnerable groups.
If he’s released from hospital, I worry he’ll either die on the WWW.HOMELESS.ORG.UK
19
ROUGH SLEEPING
CONNECT DECEMBER 2012 | ISSUE 47
streets, or he’ll end up back in hospital in an even worse
of us who work so hard, with minimal resources, to support
state than he is now.
people like Ziggy. We need to recognise that we have a serious and growing problem of non-UK nationals on our
You might ask what the hospital is doing to make sure
streets – and we must start to address their needs. The
Ziggy can be suitably housed when he is discharged.
alternative is that to keep someone like Ziggy sleeping
Unfortunately, it’s a moot point, because Ziggy is a
rough we’re all paying the high financial price, and in
member of the Polish homeless community. No one is
denying him the support he needs we run the very real
interested in accepting responsibility for him – financial or
risk of damning him pay the ultimate one.
otherwise – when he leaves. I work with a lot of people like Ziggy at a drop-in centre that I manage. We meet close to 40 Central European
GENETICS OF COMMITMENT NIGEL FRANCIS, METHODIST ACTION NW
guests every week, most of them with no recourse to public funds, and either street homeless or squatting.
Rough Sleeping is not only a night time experience, it
They’re all determined to stay in England, and all the
is a life time experience. Having to bed down outside,
while their needs are becoming increasingly complex –
without shelter or protection on any given night, is not
with mental health issues, substance and alcohol abuse,
something any one should need to endure. The day
offending. They’re becoming entrenched.
arrives and to be faced with the prospect of walking to seek warmth and a little comfort, let alone help and
What I want to know is, while we are making such
advice, cannot be a way that we as a society believe is
great moves forward in tackling homelessness with
acceptable.
innovations like No Second Night Out, are we not missing the obvious? Because they have no access to funds
No Second Night Out is a commendable ambition. To
- either through no recourse or because they fail any
achieve it, sustained investment must be agreed and
habitual residency hurdles - most of the foreign nationals
carried from Parliament to Parliament. We need to
I encounter either work in the black economy for very
recognize that providing services to support for people
little, or they commit crimes to survive. Even the few who
who become homeless must be given as high a priority
are entitled to benefits often find it hard to navigate a
as providing primary health care.
system that makes every attempt to find reasons to refuse support - and they often give up trying, swelling the ranks
At present though, we are failing to provide the basic
of people on the streets.
needs of shelter, warmth and food for many people. While we understand the necessity of financial restraint
Denying real support to this group of people is expensive.
and prudent budgets, the commitment to provide the
The costs are carried by the NHS and the Criminal Justice
basics for everyone in the country must sit within our DNA.
system – and ultimately by the taxpayer. The emotional costs are carried by those
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CONNECT DECEMBER 2012 | ISSUE 47
ROUGH SLEEPING
ROUTE 38
In 2011, Leicester’s homelessness services were becoming increasingly concerned about rising rough sleeping. Their response was a Rough Sleeping Task Force. During a three month pilot, average figures fell by more than three quarters - and none of the 38 people helped returned to the streets. We asked how they did it. In 2011, at the time of the Mayoral elections, the City of
team, they adopted a targeted, coordinated, barrier-less
Leicester had seen a steady rise in rough sleeping, with
approach to supporting people off the streets.
numbers remaining stubbornly high at 40-45 people seen sleeping out each week. The number peaked at 54, over
The results were striking. Over the three months, average
half of them Eastern European in origin.
numbers of people sleeping rough fell to around 11. The number of Eastern Europeans sleeping rough fell to zero.
Leicester’s homelessness community was concerned. Plenty of resources were being put into tackling rough
“The proposal centred on the barriers between sleeping
sleeping across the city – but the situation on the front-
rough and a hostel bed,” recalled Alastair Jackson, Chief
line seemed to be slipping backwards.
Executive of Leicester Quaker Housing Association, and Chair of the Task Force. “What was preventing people
The elections were an opportunity to get homelessness
from moving off the streets? We said that what we
firmly on the radar of local politicians. At the suggestion
needed was a direct link between outreach and hostels
of Mohammed Sabeel, Homeless Link’s regional manager
– helping people off the streets and straight into services.
for the area, a group of local agencies put forward a
And we needed a culture driven by asking ‘how can we
targeted proposal to tackle the rising rough sleeping
best help?’ not ‘do we have to help?”
issue, when the City Council launched a review of its homelessness strategy.
Alastair says the City outreach teams had a great understanding of the local rough sleeping population.
The result was a three month pilot project of Leicester’s
The key problem lay in an unnecessarily long referral
Rough Sleeping Task Force, which ran from June to
process. The Task Force set out to simplify those referrals.
September this year. The Task Force comprised of Action
The council brought new beds online, ensuring that
Homeless, Community of Grace, Leicester Quaker
people could be accommodated beyond the voluntary
Housing Association, Park Lodge, SHARP and NIEBO
sector.
Project, the only project in Leicester specialising in support for the most vulnerable people from Eastern
ROUGH SLEEPERS CASE PANEL
Europe. Working with the city council homelessness
A weekly Rough Sleepers Case Panel was the key WWW.HOMELESS.ORG.UK
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CONNECT DECEMBER 2012 | ISSUE 47
ESSENTIAL LESSONS The biggest lesson learned from the pilot was that the
and that they need time and breathing space to begin
majority of individuals who had previously been rough
to address them.
sleepers had profound problems that were too complex to be solved by the provision of housing alone.
Concerns were expressed at the outset that the Task Force might have to work with an unmanageable
Any case panel needs to meet frequently and be
number of people with no legal right to support. In
comprised of people who have the power to make
the end though, only 5 people were found to have no
decisions. Decisions also need to be made quickly, not
recourse to public funds.
passed up the chain. Because decisions were made when they needed to be made, people didn’t fall out of
Homelessness services often talk about people who are
the system due to delays.
‘difficult to engage’ or ‘hard to reach’. But if you look honestly at those cases, what you often find is that the
You can’t assess people properly while they’re on the
offer of support is too conditional. We want to engage
street. A core part of the Task Force approach was to offer
with you but… you must abstain, or you must turn up at
a bed first, then the opportunity to engage, wherever this
our office at a certain time, and so on. The challenge
might lead. When you begin that process, there are many
across services was to examine barriers to access.
people for whom it can’t be rushed. Many people helped off the streets have extreme If you try and push everyone through the system within
problems with alcohol and drugs. These issues and the
three days, you’re going to miss things. You simply won’t
resulting behaviour can present a massive challenge to
have enough information to know that you’re making the
services that are not equipped to cope. How much does
right assessment and decisions. We have to make the
the sector need to reinvent itself in places like Leicester,
assumption that the lives of people who end up sleeping
where experience of dealing with that sort of behaviour
on the streets are dealing with highly traumatic issues –
might not be readily available?
mechanism of the Task Force in tackling rough sleeping
has been cracked. There are still people sleeping out and
and ensuring that people remained off the streets.
now the pilot has finished there’s a chance that numbers
This was made up of council staff, voluntary sector
will rise again.
accommodation and support providers, and people from the health, drug and alcohol services.
Last month, Leicester City Council published a draft homelessness strategy for consultation. Have the lessons
During the 12 week period, the panel dealt with 38
of the Rough Sleeping Task Force been absorbed? It’s too
people who came off the streets. None of them were
early to say, but Task Force members are keen to see that
sleeping rough at the end of the period, staying in a
three key risks are properly addressed:
mixture of hostel accommodation, supported housing and housing association tenancies. It was inevitable
•
that some initial placements wouldn’t work, so the panel was structured so that when placements broke down, as
that someone stays on the street because they are deemed ineligible for a bed in a hostel;
•
that only a superficial assessment is made of their
happened in a handful of cases, they were able to offer
needs, leading to the provision of inappropriate
alternative accommodation quickly.
services and experiences of ‘failure’ for providers and service users; and
At the end of the pilot, none of those who moved off the
•
that longer-term services are too rigid and do not
streets had returned to sleeping rough – a remarkable
adapt what they offer to the circumstances and
result given that many had a long history of rough
needs of their client group.
sleeping and often profound and complex problems. They feel that only then can they hope to repeat and WHAT NEXT?
sustain the success of a pilot that has demonstrated the
No one is suggesting that the problem of rough sleeping
dramatic impact of true partnership working.
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ROUGH SLEEPING
WHAT THE PARTNERS SAY The Leicester Task Force was a partnership of Action Homeless, Community of Grace, Leicester Quaker Housing Association, NIEBO Project, Park Lodge and SHARP, working alongside the local council homelessness team.
and reduce number of rough sleepers significantly … The biggest challenges that we faced were in supporting Eastern European clients, who had multiple needs and where language was only one of the major obstacles that all agencies had to tackle.” – Izabella Dabska, Eastern European Project Worker, Neibo Project
Here’s what some of them said about the pilot.
“The work of the Task Force demonstrates that where there’s a will there’s a way to reducing rough sleeping. By working together to break down some of the bureaucratic barriers which were threatening to institutionalise aspects of rough sleeping in the city we proved that ending rough sleeping is within our grasp. The challenge for Leicester is to not let that opportunity fall through our fingers.” – Rob Parkinson, Chief Executive, Action Homeless “The achievements of the Task Force have proved that by sharing information, experiences and using potentials and resources of all agencies involved we can succeed
“Reducing rough sleeping in Leicester has been a mammoth challenge but with the support of all, our partner agencies a big step forward has been made. This has demonstrated that providing clients are willing to engage with services there should not be a need for them to spend a second night out. While this is encouraging our focus must now be on individuals that are revolving between temporary accommodation and the street. Our emphasis will also be on those that fail to engage with services. In these uncertain economic times it is important that we continue to work together to avoid rough sleeping increasing. Our motivation will always be aimed at ending rough sleeping in Leicester.” – Toni Soni, Head of Hostels, Leicester City Council
EFFECTIVE ACTION
Practical guidance to help end rough sleeping and homelessness. Developed with the support of Homeless Link’s members, this series is designed to promote and share good practice from across the homelessness sector. It emphasises the importance of homelessness prevention and the localism agenda, and promotes innovation. homeless.org.uk/effective-action
SWEP AND EXTENDED COLD WEATHER PROVISION Ensure that no one dies on the streets due to cold weather – and that people do not need to return to the streets once the cold weather period has ended. homeless.org.uk/ea-swep
ADOPTING THE NO SECOND NIGHT OUT STANDARD Supporting local authorities and their partners to meet the No Second Night Out standard by developing a service offer for people who are new to the streets. homeless.org.uk/ea-nsno
RECONNECTING ROUGH SLEEPERS The practical steps necessary for successful reconnections – including identification, assessment, the verification of information and the types of reconnection options available. homeless.org.uk/ea-recon
‘TASK & TARGETING’ - WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP TO GET RESULTS Guidance for local authorities, in partnership with other local organisations, to develop strong relationships, share appropriate information and work together to provide consistent responses to help individuals who are rough sleeping, or at risk of becoming street homeless, to access suitable accommodation and tailored support. homeless.org.uk/ea-tt WWW.HOMELESS.ORG.UK
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IN FOCUS
NO SECOND NIGHT OUT As we all know the longer someone sleeps on the
numbers in the capital, according to the latest figures
streets, the more complex their problems are likely to
80% of new rough sleepers spent just one night out. The
become.
project has now been expanded to include all outer London boroughs.
In April 2011, a pilot launched with one simple ambition that anyone who ends up on the streets should be helped
Evaluation of the approach also indicates that rough
as quickly as possible so they don’t spend a second night
sleepers helped by the service as less likely to be seen
out.
on the streets of the capital again when compared to traditional services.
No Second Night Out in London put services in place so that new rough sleepers could be quickly identified
Thanks to Government commitment and funding from
and the public could alert services if they saw someone
the Homelessness Transition Fund the concept has spread
sleeping out. They also set up an assessment centre
quickly. Over 30 communities across England are already
where the needs of rough sleepers could be assessed
working towards the idea that no one should spend a
and they could be connected with accommodation and
second night out. Moreover, in January they will be joined
support.
by another 20 areas.
Since London’s No Second Night Out went live, the
With the launch of StreetLink, we urge more communities
results have been startling. Over 40,000 calls have been
to adopt the idea of No Second Night Out so that more
made to the help-line and, despite rising rough sleeping
people get helped off the streets more quickly.
THE POWER TO DO SOMETHING KENT & MEDWAY
At the end of 2011 Porchlight was awarded £250k from the
AREA COVERED: Kent and Medway
Homeless Transition Fund to help support the nationwide No Second Night Out strategy.
WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT? The service works across a large and quite rural region,
Funding enabled them to employ 6 outreach workers
making it impossible for a small team to cover enough
and an additional Helpline worker to operate what they
ground to find everyone that needs help. To combat
call their reactive service. The reactive team differs from
this Porchlight launched Don’t Just Walk Past: Tell Us, a
the core outreach team in that they provide support
campaign which encourages the public to call a 24-hour
to people who are new to the streets, rather than
helpline 0800 567 76 99 or complete a form online www.
entrenched rough sleepers. They invite the person to a
porchlight.org.uk/tellus when they see someone sleeping
safe place, such as a local day centre run by one of their
rough. They used local radio advertising and social media
partner agencies, where their needs can be assessed
to boost the impact of the campaign. The response has
by an outreach worker, who can decide whether they
been good with both calls and online reports increasing
would be best placed into supported accommodation
steadily in the few months following the campaign.
or somewhere more independent. The aim is for a quick and suitable move away from the streets, with on-going
WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE?
support to maintain tenancies and enter volunteering,
Chris Coffey is the Strategic Manager for the rough
education or employment.
sleeper team. He credits the reactive approach for a fall in the number of rough sleepers in Kent and Medway,
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ROUGH SLEEPING
even in the face of increasing demand: “Whilst some
sleepers. People often feel unsure about what to do
areas have seen a slight increase, overall rough sleeper
and who to tell. This not only gives them the power to do
numbers are down on last year and that is a direct result
something, but will also provide you with vital information
of the reactive approach and the intelligence provided
to find rough sleepers quickly.
by the public. Without the service, numbers would have most certainly increased to mirror the national trend.
FACTS & FIGURES
We are investing our own resources into the service but
•
April 2012 - service started
changes to the welfare system and the pressures people
•
1,300 calls per month to the helpline and rising.
are facing both financially and emotionally will make
•
228 outreach session undertaken to locate rough
demand difficult to meet in the same way next year, without continued external funding and support from the
sleepers •
public.”
114 ‘new’ rough sleepers supported off the streets in planned move-ons
•
STEPS FOR SUCCESS
34 of those have been housed in the private rented sector
The buy-in of the local authorities is key, particularly in
•
55 housed in supported accommodation
the strategic development of the project. Porchlight also
•
12 reconnections outside of Kent
advises getting the public involved by developing some
•
176 assessed as more long-term and passed to the
way for them to let you know the whereabouts of rough
Core Outreach Service.
THE DAY CENTRE PERSPECTIVE MANCHESTER & SALFORD
Manchester and Salford between them have seven day
elsewhere, are helped to return. The aim is that no one
centres and a range of other services which provide day
should have to live on the streets for want of a bus or train
and night time support to rough sleepers and those at
fare.
risk of rough sleeping. These are run by an assortment of faith based, third sector and housing associations. The
WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE?
Day Centres project has been designed to encourage
“This project is the first stage in the development of a consistent approach across the day centres, which is being developed through a new Day Centre’s Forum. This has already delivered training and has set up an alert system for sharing information about individuals who are causing particular concern. We are helping to expel the myth that day centres sustain people on the streets. With improved outcomes monitoring by the end of the project we’ll be able to show that this isn’t the case and that together we have been able to help deliver a reduction in rough sleeping in our two cities.” – Amanda Croome, Coordinator, The Booth Centre
and support all the day centres to adopt No Second Night Out principles and to help deliver a reduction in the level of rough sleeping in the two cities. It will encourage more integrated services with improved coordination and links between the day centres, statutory services and voluntary services, promoting standardised recording, information sharing, outcome monitoring and single service offers.
AREA COVERED: Manchester & Salford WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT? As part of the project the Booth Centre has re-evaluated
STEPS FOR SUCCESS
its services in the light of No Second Night Out principles,
Day centres should embrace No Second Night Out and
and has launched a new advice service to ensure
use it to re-examine your services – and to check that
that rough sleepers are assessed and referred into
you are doing all you can to reduce rough sleeping. Day
housing more quickly. They also aim to identify people
centres are part of the solution – they just need to be
who are having problems in their tenancies, so they
better at making sure people understand the role they
can be supported to keep their homes at an early
can play.
stage. Dedicated time is being spent with entrenched rough sleepers every day, discussing alternatives and
FACTS & FIGURES
building up their motivation to change. This is starting to
Seven day centres. The project started in October and
yield positive results. Booth Centre plans to share what
has clear targets in all four of the NSNO areas which
it learns from the process to the other day centres. A
should result in 360 people being helped off the streets or
reconnections fund, for use by all the day centres, has
being prevented from ending up on the streets, including
been set up to ensure that people sleeping rough or
targeting some of the most entrenched rough sleepers.
at risk of sleeping rough, who have accommodation WWW.HOMELESS.ORG.UK
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TRUE PARTNERSHIP NORTHAMPTON
Referrals to the service are made through Northampton Borough Council’s gateway team when people present as homeless at Oasis House, a Places of Change project. The service is set in two connected maisonettes that are connected by a door on the ground floor, offering
engagement with people who are entrenched, allowing a personalised approach to be taken with them. NAASH uses its charitable status to assist those who have no recourse to public funds to either return home or to find work and accommodation.” – Project Manager
11 bed spaces in shared rooms. Three key workers
bed spaces.
“Without the support through the No Second Night Out service I would not have been able to move forward with my life. I didn’t know what to do as I didn’t have enough ‘support needs’ to make me a priority to anyone. I am very grateful for the support I received and this gave me some time to sort my situation out.” – Simon, a customer
AREA COVERED: Northamptonshire
STEPS FOR SUCCESS
work with customers to achieve as quick a move on as possible. One support worker works at night. The project is managed by NAASH working in a true partnership with Northampton Borough Council, with decisions made jointly. Housing Benefit covers the local LHA rate for the
A project like this cannot succeed without true
WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT?
partnership working with the local council.
Northampton is a university town, which makes finding move on accommodation a major challenge. Links have
All projects are different and led by the local need – so
been made with PRS landlords who will take referrals
your project needs to be built around that. Other local
just from NAASH. Northampton Borough Council has
organisations working in the sector need to be consulted
recognised the issue with move on and have leased
about what that need is. And it’s essential to get move on
two other properties to NAASH to enable move on and
agreements in place very early on.
prevent the service from silting up. Staff who work in your projects need to be able to Another challenge is that Northampton has a substantial
influence the development of the service itself, informing
number of EU nationals sleeping on its streets.
both policies and working practices. It should be agreed form the outset that the service may evolve during the
The project is connected to a Places of Change project,
first 6 months. A flexible approach is a must.
so referrals can be made into it for people who need additional support, rather than risking their return to the
FACTS & FIGURES
streets. NAASH works in real partnership with Northampton
six beds were available from May, with the other 5
Borough Council (NBC) and all decisions are made as a
coming available in September.
partnership. 33 rough sleepers have been through the service The project has its own posters and cards to explain the
with only one person (an entrenched rough sleeper)
vision of the service, which are placed within the locality.
returning to the street. With increased access to move on accommodation, NAASH expect the number of people
WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE? “The service has been opened for 6 months and it is apparent that it needed to evolve from the original idea, which it is. True partnerships with NBC have allowed this service to meet needs and this continues. Many customers are now working and, without this project, their needs would not have been met – and it is probable that they would have been unable to continue with their employment. The service provides consistent pre
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they can help to increase substantially. The Homelessnes Transition Fund provided £226K to fund the project. NBC agreed to provide the properties and also provide approximately £80K over a three year period. NAASH provides approximately £40K over this period and will now fund the recently acquired move on properties.
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ROUGH SLEEPING
BE ADAPTABLE EXETER
The Exeter Transitions Project is a collaborative project led by Exeter charity St Petrock’s. A Rough Sleeper Response Team aim to assess all new rough sleepers in the city within 24 hours and to provide a single service offer within 72 hours. A 24 hour telephone line to support public reporting of rough sleepers is in place. Exeter City Council accommodates clients in four B&B assessment beds until a support into local accommodation or reconnection can be made. Once someone has been helped off the street, the project also offers a personalised brokerage support service, providing a range of services to help individuals
way in which it allows our Response Team Workers to ‘think outside the box’ and offer clients options that are tailored to their needs. I was particularly aware of the benefits of this creative approach recently when meeting with Ryan, a 20 year old white male. Ryan was assessed and placed into temporary accommodation upon his arrival at St Petrock’s centre. The team advocated on his behalf to the council to overcome concerns regarding a conviction. Ryan was provided with accommodation and floating support; he has subsequently secured a full time job. It’s very rewarding to see how, in cases like Ryan’s, the project has enabled us to intervene quickly, draw on multi-agency resources and help people turn their lives around.” – Project Manager
maintain their tenancies and gain independence. The service is accessible, flexible and can respond rapidly to
STEPS FOR SUCCESS
referrals through a virtual assessment panel.
Gaining awareness of the characteristics of your local client group is crucial. In addition to compiling existing
AREA COVERED: Exeter
data, visiting volunteer-led local projects can help identify the most effective locations in which to make
WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT?
new contacts.
Exeter is experiencing an increased migration to the city of people from across the region. The project has built on
Adaptability - the willingness to experiment and to
existing resources and increased co-ordination between
regularly evaluate the efficacy of responses - is equally
services to meet this challenge. A high proportion of
important. Multi-agency working groups hold regular
new contacts are made through St Petrock’s day centre.
operational and review meetings to ensure the on-going
Response Team workers co-ordinate with staff to ensure
improvement of services.
that the needs of new rough sleepers are balanced with those of other clients. Targeted out-of-hours outreach
Establishing clearly defined operational principles from
has helped new rough-sleepers to engage earlier with
the outset can reduce the complexities of partnership
services. The adoption of a common assessment by all
working and ensure a shared approach is maintained.
agencies has also improved response times.
FACTS & FIGURES The availability of assessment accommodation has
•
been a challenge, with a shortage of local move-on options leading to delays in freeing up assessment beds.
2012 to 31 March 2014. •
Some new rough sleepers are too high-risk for existing accommodation.
The project is being funded for the period from 1 April The team have seen 70% more new rough sleepers than expected, on average of 22.75 per month.
•
Within the first 4 months of the project, 82% of new rough sleepers received an assessment within 24
WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE?
hours.
“One of the most exciting aspects of the project is the
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WHATEVER IT TAKES SOUTH SOMERSET
BCHA secured funding from the Homelessness Transition
WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE?
Fund to deliver a No Second Night Out service in
“The beauty of our roles is that we have the freedom and flexibility to work across agency boundaries. Our only remit is to try and put in place creative and flexible responses for each client, and that seems to work well. The other thing that has worked well is being able take people straight off the street into an emergency placement, and then assess what will work best for them.” – Kerry and Sharon, Specialist Outreach and Resettlement Coordinators, Barnabas Housing Association
South Somerset, in partnership with Barnabas Housing Association – a provider already successfully delivering services in Yeovil and South Somerset, and part of the BCHA group. The service is delivered by 2 Specialist Outreach and Resettlement Coordinators, and run based on the main principles and learning from the MEAM pilot we delivered in Somerset. This ensures that as many people can be supported in the most effective way, with a particular focus on those with complex needs. Workers act as ‘single navigators’ for each client throughout their
STEPS FOR SUCCESS
journey into independent accommodation – providing
The biggest learning and development area during
consistency and brokerage with other agencies. Clients’
the project has been ensuring that the service had an
personal budgets are used to maximise choice and
‘emergency’ intervention approach to rough sleeping.
control. Multi-agency coordination is central to effective/
This is what led to the use of the ‘sit-up’ service provision,
flexible and sustainable responses.
which has proved to be successful.
AREA COVERED: South Somerset, with some links to
Another important feature is that the two front-
services across Somerset.
line roles are seen as separate from the Barnabas Accommodation provision. This means they can act
WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT?
as the ‘single navigators’ more easily, which is having a
The service operates within a rural area, where identifying
positive influence on working practices within the main
rough sleepers can be challenging as they can remain
accommodation service. Approaches to inclusion and
hidden. Outreach sessions are targeted at both towns
flexibility have become stronger as services work together
and rural areas on a regular basis.
across service boundaries towards individual client outcomes.
Following on from the success of the Liverpool City Council ‘sit-up’ service, we have introduced this
Make sure you employ the right quality staff. The South
approach, which has been particularly effective –
Somerset project has two excellent, experienced workers,
despite initial reservations.
both of whom are equally happy to chair a multi-agency meeting, don muddy boots to go on outreach at 6am,
The service uses the support of BCHA’s innovative contact
or help a client decorate a new flat! They are ready,
centre ‘i-Support’ which provides a robust lone worker
whatever it takes.
support as well as a 24/7 reporting line. Clients of the service can contact i-Support at any time to get support
FACTS & FIGURES
from skilled support staff who have access to their live
The project started in April 2012 and in the first 6 months
files.
worked with a total of 58 individuals. Of these 35 were either believed to be or were verified as verified as new
The service was needed due to the closure of a local
rough sleepers. All 35 were able to access the NSNO
voluntary emergency nightshelter and made possible
provision within Barnabas House, ensuring they did not
by the development of Barnabas House with Places for
spend a second night out. All have since gone on to
Change grant funding.
secure more stable accommodation. None of the 35 has returned to the streets.
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THE LEARNING CURVE OXFORD
Oxford City Council has teamed up with Broadway and
to verify rough sleepers, to hospitals and the local job
Oxford Homeless Pathways to launch No Second Night
centre.”
Out across Oxfordshire. Lesley Dewhurst, Chief Executive of OxHoP, agrees. “We Officially launched in July 2012, the project has seen more
launched NSNO four months ago to services and to the
than 80 people accessing services through the hub, 70 of
public, who can connect rough sleepers to the service
whom have been moved on with a single service offer.
via our local phone line run by Broadway. We were clear then that we were only at the beginning of our journey,
Jaffa Holland is the Pathway Leader for Broadway Oxford.
and we have been learning ever since.
“The Oxford hub is different from London or Liverpool because it’s run from an existing accommodation
“We are enjoying working with Broadway within O’Hanlon
service. We assess verified rough sleepers and offer them
House. However, we do think that things would have
a space in one of our seven beds here at O’Hanlon House
gone more smoothly with clearer communication and
or in other hostels across the county.
liaison with external services such as the district councils well in advance of the start of the service.
“We work with all rough sleepers in the area, which is slightly different from the original NSNO concept which
“That said, there are signs that the system is starting to
aimed to help new rough sleepers in the capital. For
work – in this morning’s post were details of a person
example, our outreach team recently worked with a lady
sleeping rough in South Oxfordshire who hadn’t previously
who had been rough sleeping for around eight years.
been identified. This involvement is essential to the
Initially, she found being indoors too much and returned
success of the project, and working more closely with
to the streets, but the team continued to work with her
other services, such as the police and the local job
and now she is ready to move onto independent living
centre, has definitely benefitted everyone.
after just a month in a hostel! “Of course we are working in uncertain times and the “Of course the whole process has been a learning curve
lack of move on accommodation is definitely our biggest
– if you want NSNO to succeed you need clear goals and
worry as our beds are full every night, but my one bit of
guides of what you can and cannot achieve. Everyone
advice to anyone thinking of setting up NSNO in their
needs to be committed and you need to continue to
area would be to make sure you have clear systems set
adapt and get the message out there to everyone – from
up with everyone who is involved from the outset.”
the police, some of whom we have trained in Oxford
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THE OTHER ROUTE IN Can Housing First work in England, asks Becky Elton, when its approach seems so at odds with the route we support most people to follow out of homelessness? It’s a pretty simple concept: you get someone off the
In a Housing First approach, the commitment is to the
streets and straight into their own long term, secure
person not the housing. Relapse does not mean eviction
tenancy with high levels of support – but Housing First
or loss of housing it means obtaining treatment and
goes against the grain of what we in the homelessness
returning home. Similarly, eviction from housing does not
sector have thought of as the “right” pathway for people
mean discharge from the program - it usually means
who are homeless.
relocation.
We prefer to look at the negatives first: homelessness; not
THE RIGHT SUPPORT TO AVOID ISOLATION
housing ready; in debt, or more often “in rent arrears”;
Support from workers with experience of homelessness
substance abuser; metal health problems; care leaver;
is crucial to a successful Housing First scheme, as is
offender. We look first at the things that act as barriers to
supporting people to build new social networks so that
a secure home.
isolation doesn’t tip them back into their previous lifestyle.
That isn’t to say that individual services and support
This all fits with the increased focus on personalisation,
workers don’t treat people as individuals. But does
and the better outcomes it can help people with multiple
the system? It is linear, it demands that people to
needs achieve in homelessness services in the UK. It
move through direct access hostels to second stage
also chimes with something I often hear as I speak to
supported accommodation, and then sometimes on
support workers and people who have experienced
to intermediate accommodation or an introductory
homelessness in the North East: namely, that many
tenancy. Their progress along this path depends on
people have been excluded or self-exclude from
people working through their clinical issues until they are
supported accommodation because they can’t cope
deemed fit to have their own tenancy.
with the group environment. Rotating round the hostel circuit only serves to increase social exclusion.
A permanent home becomes the reward for fixing yourself.
ONE SIZE DOESN’T FIT ALL This isn’t a rallying cry to go out and dismantle our existing
THE ALTERNATIVE
hostels and housing pathways. Housing First won’t suit
At the Pathways Housing First scheme in New York,
everyone – and we know that the current system can
founder Sam Tsemberis turns the traditional approach on
work for many people, when they spend a short time in
its head. Treat homelessness, he says, as an economic
the homelessness system, working through pathways to
issue. Solve the economic problem – the lack of a
secure long term accommodation, establishing positive
permanent home – then help people work on the other
social networks and moving into training or employment
things that will ensure they can maintain that home.
in the process.
Back in the early 1990s, when Sam and his team asked
Although Housing First doesn’t require people to be
homeless people with mental health problems and drug
tenancy ready, it does need them to have some
or alcohol dependence how they could help , the answer
motivation, however small, to maintain their own tenancy.
was clear. They wanted a place to live – not to get clean
Not everyone is ready for that.
and sober. They didn’t want to live in a service – they wanted a place to live and to go out to the services they
A Housing First pilot run by Turning Point Scotland has
needed. Housing First is a direct response to that ask.
found that in particular it’s much more difficult to make Housing First work for young people. They’ve found that
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ROUGH SLEEPING
KEVIN’S STORY 39 year old Kevin was homeless for 20 years, after his drug
gym - to encourage him to get out and become less
use led to his alienation from the family home. He had
isolated.
never had his own tenancy, drifting between sleeping rough, staying with an alcoholic partner, and staying with
Supported by an Addaction day programme, Kevin
family.
has had periods of abstinence, but he has also had periods using heroin, cocaine and amphetamines. He is
Now in his Housing First home, Kevin meets with support
looking beyond that though, with a long term ambition
workers three times a week who have helped him with the
of going into further education to complete a Social
practical basics of maintaining his tenancy - from food
Care qualification. He is well aware that even sporadic
hygiene and laundry procedures to reading labels and
substance misuse could jeopardise that, so he’s working
separating colours from whites. These might sound like
towards abstinence with his Peer Support Workers.
basic things, but for someone who has never had their own tenancy, they can be the cause of major anxieties.
A major positive in Kevin’s new life is his effort to reestablished ties with his family. He has already become
With the help of a Community Care Grant, Kevin has
a major part in the lives of two grown-up nephews, both
decorated his home room by room, and made it a place
of whom have a family of their own now. He says this has
he quite rightly feels proud of. To help Kevin overcome his
made such a difference to him - being accepted back
self-consciousness in public, one of his weekly meetings
into the family circle and trusted for the first time in many
is out in the community - at the cinema, in cafes, at the
years.
young people often seem to lack the motivation to maintain a tenancy. So at its most effective – and personalised - Housing First needs to be part of a range of services that people are supported to choose from. THE QUESTION But Housing First begs many questions – at least when it comes to getting it to work with our existing way of doing things. How can you fit Housing First into an existing set of homelessness services that are based around a pathway, without making it the default option for people who ‘fail’ the pathway multiple times? Is it practical to develop a marketplace for homelessness services in the face of cuts to budgets that have left services full to bursting and with little room to offer choice? Will commissioners support a service that means committing to long term support, much longer than the arbitrary two year timescale many Supporting People funded services have had to adapt to? Can providers of social housing rise to the challenge – as Glasgow Housing Association has – and offer people who may have been evicted in the past and who have the WWW.HOMELESS.ORG.UK
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potential (both real and imagined) to cause all sorts of
it was simply about ending homelessness for all it would
community issues a tenancy on the same terms as their
also include strategies for creating more affordable
others?
housing, improving living wages, developing more non-profit operated rental housing, greater emphasis
Can landlords help support providers to respond rapidly
on employment, and other interventions aimed at
to get people into housing, striking while the iron’s hot?
addressing poverty and the root causes of homelessness.
How can it work with current changes to benefits,
BECKY ELTON: Do people have to “fail” in a mainstream
and given that the increase in age threshold for the
system in order to access Housing First?
Shared Accommodation Rate and the bedroom tax will mean that many people will have to live in shared
SAM TSEMBERIS: Absolutely not. It is possible to bring
accommodation?
people into a Housing First program right away. By Housing First I mean a program intended to serve people
And it has to be asked, are we in the homelessness sector
living with mental health challenges so there is a need
brave enough to genuinely put the people who use our
for support services. If you are serving a population that
services in control of their own accommodation and
is homeless because they are poor and do not need
support?
services then you don’t need a Housing First program. You need to provide people with immediate access to
THE VIEW FROM NEW YORK
affordable housing, jobs, etc.
I asked Sam Tsemberis, who started the original Housing First programme in New York 20 years ago and has
It is actually simpler and cheaper than temporary housing
conducted extensive research into Housing First models,
or shelter solutions but of course requires a change in
if he thinks Housing First can work in the UK
policy and political will. The population served by Housing First can be offered a program as soon as possible: the
BECKY ELTON: Here in the UK, in order for Housing First
moment they become homeless, leave a psychiatric
to be successful, would we need a full system change,
hospital or jail cell with no fixed address at discharge, or
where a Housing First approach is the norm?
even as they are threatened with eviction and before they become homeless. The mechanics of the program
SAM TSEMBERIS: Housing First is a system change for
will work well in all of these situations.
most places. It does not need a system change to work. It starts working with those who the system has failed and
The reason Housing First has been implemented as a
demonstrates that you can have successful outcomes
program accepting those that have failed repeatedly
for the same people using this approach. That can be
in traditional programs is more a ‘homeless industry’
a powerful demonstration for a community. Currently,
business decision. Housing First is essentially saying, we
it seems that Housing First is being introduced in the UK,
are not taking away the clients you work with (you will
like in many other EU countries, as such a demonstration
still be in business) we are only taking clients who have
project.
failed your program (or really, the clients your program has failed). If a community embraced a comprehensive
Once it’s effectiveness is demonstrated with the
Housing First approach I think it would be possible to
people who have been failed by the existing system
convert lots (not all) of transitional and emergency
then the mark of successful system transformation will
housing into HF programs and provide permanent
be measured by how widely it is replicated and how
housing to a greater number of people with service
quickly it ends homelessness for people living with
needs.
mental health challenges in that community. Housing First is a specialized program for special populations. If
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pathwaystohousing.org
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?
ARE YOU READY FOR THE FUTURE
HTF Director Samantha Rennie asks: what could your service do with £25,000 to help prepare for the future? On first glance, the £20m Homelessness Transition Fund
to engage and adapt brings the risk of being left behind.
might sound like a lot. That is until you realise it’s targeted at a sector that has already lost an estimated £200m in
And that is where we come in.
Supporting People funding. FUNDING TIME This isn’t the time for sticking plasters. But it isn’t time for
The Homelessness Transition Fund was set up to help
cynicism either. If we are going to face these challenges
organisations to adapt, change and turn new challenges
head on, we need to be able to influence the changes.
into opportunities. Our main grants programme is all
We need to rethink the way the voluntary sector does
about supporting major reconfigurations in service
business. We need to ask what these reforms mean for
delivery. But now we’ve launched Future Ready. It’s a
people at the sharp end of homelessness. It’s time to
quicker, more agile option, with grants of between £5,000
draw on the resilience and creativity we’ve used in the
and £25,000.
past, engage with the new structures and adopt new ways of working.
How much closer could you be to taking advantage of the local opportunities I mentioned if you could backfill a
We may face threats but there are also real opportunities.
key post or recruit consultants to get you started? Would you buy yourself time to build relationships with other
BEING NOTICED
sectors and pilot new service models – or would you
In health, new GP led Clinical Commissioning Groups
investigate systems for collecting data so you can provide
are being launched, bringing evidence-based
evidence to commissioners to demonstrate the need for
commissioning to the fore. The robust collection and
the support you give?
analysis of client data could really influence local clinical priorities – so again, making sure your service is known to
Or perhaps a future ready grant might help you recruit
the chair of your CCG will put you in the frame for future
and develop your volunteers, or join up back-room
discussions.
services across local organisations, such as IT and personnel. Or would it buy you the space to restructure
Then there are the recently elected Police and Crime
your organisation and reconfigure your service – or
Commissioners. They have new powers and budgets to
apply commercial expertise to turn a profit in your social
tackle - so there’s an opporunity to be part of their plans
enterprise?
when plans are drawn up. The list could go on – and it isn’t designed to be So while the sector has been hit hard, there are still
prescriptive. Ultimately, future ready gives services the
opportunities, if we’re prepared to adapt. But how do
breathing space to adapt to the changing landscape.
you find the time and resources to seek out and grasp new opportunities, meet key players, and getting your
This is the first step to making the transition to more
organisation fit for the future while carrying on with the
sustainable funding.
essential everyday work you do? Not many organisations can easily afford to do this but on the other hand, failing
homeless.org.uk/fund
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YOUNG RISKING FUTURES Reduced welfare support for young people is already increasing their chances of becoming homeless, reveals our latest study into youth homelessness. Following a survey of 117 homeless charities and 101 local authorities, we have published Young & Homeless 2012, and its findings of provide a strong case as to why the Government should not go ahead with any proposed plans to cut housing benefit for under 25 year olds. The study found that at a time of rising homelessness among under-25, the main cause of which is family breakdown, welfare reforms are restricting the ability of communities to house all those who need help and potentially adding to a rise in homelessness. We found that because of these changes: • •
Almost half of services have reported difficulties
65% of local authorities report a negative impact on
supporting 16-17 year olds due to ineffective
the ability of young people to access private rented
relationships with children’s services
accommodation due to the extension of SAR •
Almost half of local authorities report that capping
Jean Templeton, Chief Executive of St Basils, says:
housing allowance for young people has had a similar impact The study highlights some deep concerns for the sector, showing that since last year: •
50% of providers say more young people are seeking support
•
65% of young people supported by providers are homeless due to relationship breakdown with family, friends or partners
•
54% of providers report closures of youth services in
“This survey puts the spotlight on the experience of agencies working with young people who are homeless or at risk. St Basils alone has seen a 32% increase in young people approaching us for assistance in the last year at a time when resources are being reduced and public sector funding is under pressure. We are accommodating a higher proportion of young people under 19 who have no experience of fending for themselves and are unable to return home ... We have a collective responsibility to care about our young people and when times are hard, it’s time to step up not step back.”
their area due to funding cuts •
More than half of providers are turning young people away because they are full
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Read the full report: homeless.org.uk/youth-homelessness
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HOMELESS SAVE THE SAFETY NET Centrepoint’s CEO, Seyi Obakin, fears the Prime Minister’s proposal to remove housing benefit from claimants under the age of 25 will not only lead to more homelessness, but also risk higher youth unemployment. Centrepoint and York University research estimates
The Prime Minister argues that young people who are
there are 80,000 young people who experience
able to and opt to stay at home are playing by the rules,
homelessness each year in this country. Faced with high
but many of the young people we support at Centrepoint
unemployment, chronic undersupply of housing, and
simply cannot choose to stay at home and save for a
the reforms brought forward since 2010, which are not all
mortgage. They are forced to play by different rules as
bad, homeless young people are now in the most difficult
they do not have the same context of stable families,
situation anyone imagined, just a few years ago.
good education, good health and a decent job.
Over the past two years, Centrepoint has changed the
Removing the housing benefit of young people with no
way we support young people, placing even greater
family homes to go back to will not make those who can
emphasis on skills, qualifications, getting a job and
stay at home and save for a mortgage feel any better. It
moving on to a better home and a better future.
will simply make more young people homeless.
But just when we thought we were getting back on track,
It’s difficult to see how the Prime Minister’s plan will save
the Prime Minister floated a plan to remove housing
money. Many young people are in work but the pay
benefit from claimants under the age of 25.
is so low they cannot rent without the housing benefit top up. If they lose benefit, they are quite likely also to
We all know that the country is going through difficult
lose their homes and jobs, with local authorities and the
times and the days of limitless resources are gone for the
government then picking up a higher bill.
foreseeable future. However, in his excellent report for the ACEVO commission, David Miliband correctly describes
Whilst political parties will always want to fly kites,
high youth unemployment as a crisis the country cannot
they would do well to remember that words have
afford. Along with family breakdown and homelessness,
consequences. We are already seeing some landlords
we must all, within our now limited resources do the very
beginning to stop renting to housing benefit claimants as
best we can for those in need. But there is a limit to how
a result of the Prime Minister’s comments.
innovative and thrifty charities and young people can be. The government should reel in this kite and focus on The proposals appear to have two main aims: to save
delivering the desperately needed affordable homes
money, and to level the playing field so that a young
which would really help cut the benefit bill.
person who chooses to stay at home and save for a mortgage deposit is not disadvantaged whilst some of their peers claim benefits. If these plans were to become law, the government would fail on both counts.
Centrepoint has launched a petition against cutting housing benefit for under 25s: centrepoint.org.uk/cuts WWW.HOMELESS.ORG.UK
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THE NIGHTSTOP
TRINITY
New Forest Nightstop is the only emergency provision for homeless people in the New Forest. Jude Todd, its sole employee, explains how this tiny organisation - with its 30 volunteers - has provided 1,800 nights of safety to more than 250 young people.
OUR STORY
town. Travelling across the district can be an enormous
New Forest Nightstop provides the only emergency
accommodation within their own area and support
overnight accommodation for homeless 16-24 year olds
network.
challenge with limited public transport. This makes it particularly difficult for young people to find work or
in the homes of trained and approved host households around the New Forest. We’re the only safety net - a
The affluent status of the National Park means there is a
community response to homelessness.
huge lack of affordable, rented accommodation that young people can access. Forest landlords are less
WHAT HOMELESSNESS LOOKS LIKE
amenable to people in receipt of housing benefit than
People are shocked to hear that homelessness even exists
city landlords whose rent prices are lower.
in the New Forest, an area that is known for the beauty of its national park and affluence. But homelessness
Faced with few options, many young people are foorced
exists here as much as anywhere else - a reality that
to consider leaving the area, and their support networks,
people find hard to swallow. They expect homelessness
to seek work in adjoining cities. But once there they are
to ‘look like’ a rough sleeper in a shop doorway, but the
often not accepted for hostels and shelters as they are
homelessness we work with often goes unseen. The young
often full and the young person is ‘out of area’. They are
people we help look no different to your son, daughter,
then at the mercy of the full of danger and risk on the
niece or nephew. These are not street-hardened rough
streets.
sleepers. They’re everyday teenagers, in crisis. Through our team of 30 volunteers, New Forest Nightstop Their vulnerability means they are likely to become
provides free emergency overnight accommodation,
victims of abuse, rape, violence and addictions if they
meals, laundry, baths, travel costs, toiletries, start-up
end up on the streets. When they are referred to New
furniture, food parcel referrals, start-up home energy
Forest Nightstop, they are completely overwhelmed and
costs, practical support with benefit claims, housing forms
traumatised in the face of sudden homelessness.
and the progression of their housing case.
They arrive for any number of reasons - family breakdown,
But it’s so much more than a B&B. It can be a listening ear,
unemployment, fleeing violence or abuse - and they
a sense of belonging and trust. The value of acceptance
come from a range of backgrounds, from the poor to the
and someone believing in you is priceless and can last
wealthy. Last year, two thirds of the young people who
a whole lifetime. The offered by our hosts improves not
stayed with us were still in full-time education or training.
only the self-esteem of young people but also their life chances, including their outcomes for employment,
A VERY RURAL PROBLEM
training, health and housing.
We face some unique challenges. It is a rural district with young people often only familiar with their home
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A YOUNG PERSON’S STORY Katie came to New Forest Nightstop at 21. She had been homeless for a year after being rejected and abandoned by family. She had been trying to move about, staying with different people, spending her days in local libraries just to keep warm. She tried desperately to apply for work, but with no home and rising depression she could not achieve it, let alone sustain it. After suffering rejection, homelessness, hunger and rape she would wake every day believing it might be her last. A month before coming to Nightstop, she attempted suicide by overdose. Five years on, Katie is now excelling in every aspect of her life. She has completed all three Duke of Edinburgh Awards, become a qualified youth worker, and received the Prime Minister’s Award for National Civic Service. She also serves on the Young People’s Advisory Board of the Parliamentary Undersecretary for Children and Families, volunteered in El Salvador for ten weeks for youth groups in local communities and this year been an Olympic Torchbearer. The list goes on, but Katie says: ‘The whole course of my life changed because of Nightstop. I didn’t think I would live to my 22 birthday but here I am, 26 and I wake up each day and can’t believe how far I have come. Nightstop listened and cared. They saw the real me before I saw myself. They literally saved my life and I will do anything I can to pass that on to others, to show other young people that with someone there, believing in you, you can make it through.’
A HOST’S STORY
otherwise the young person might have become a
I first saw an article written about Nightstop a few years
dirty washing! The washing machine was on most of the
before we became hosts. It wasn’t the right time, with
night. We dressed him in some of my son’s clothes and he
four teenage sons living at home, but a few years down
went away clean, fresh and smiling.
permanent member of the household. The worst thing that has happened was a young man with bags full of
the line, and only one son at home, my husband and I discussed becoming hosts. I couldn’t imagine what it
I’ve always felt supported in Nightstop, with help only a
must be like for young people with nowhere to go. The
phone call away. I love it when I get a call from Nightstop
boys had been so lucky, with close family and friends
to say that a young person has enjoyed their stay and
nearby.
says thank you.
We’ve now had a few young people to stay. We haven’t
When I retire I hope to be more available to have young
looked back. Twice I have had to take as big step back
people to stay. I’d recommend it. WWW.HOMELESS.ORG.UK
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PREPARE, ACT PUBLICISE, SHARE As local authorities deliberate their Supporting People budgets, Homeless Link’s Head of Regions, Joe Kent urges you to join with other services in your area to make sure homelessness is not forgotten. Two years ago budget discussions were going back
be even more difficult budget settlements for supporting
and forth between service providers, officers and
people providers in the coming year 2013/14.
commissioners. This year is very different and there is hardly any discussion or information flowing in either
We are urging all providers to take the four steps below.
direction.
Our research into Supporting People funding across a range of Local Authorities tells us that this approach works
There are concerning indicators that, in addition to the
to help shore up funding and mitigate against contract
25% average reductions over the previous year, there will
reductions and de-commissioning.
1. PREPARE...
3. PUBLICISE...
...by launching a cohesive sector response in your area
...their visit by contacting the local media
1. Talk to partner agencies and agree on key messages
1. Use photo opportunities
and local recommendations 2. Develop a couple of local case studies 3. Evidence the local impact you make on criminal justice, health and homelessness
2. ACT... ...by inviting key local politicians to visit your service
2. Encourage positive quotes 3. Ask them to Take a Step to end rough sleeping
4. TELL US... ...what happened 1. Send us information about any visits 2. Send us information about local budgets as soon as
1. Prepare your key messages 2. Support service users to tell their stories 3. Give them information
you find out
homeless.org.uk/regions
TAKE A STEP: A GUIDE TO LOCAL INFLUENCING Getting to grips with local influencing is essential:
that will be directly affected by local decisions. Because
more decisions about how services are run are being
of this, it’s you that local decision makers want to talk to
made at a local level and voluntary organisations
most.
and their clients are crucial to supporting local democracy.
That’s why we’ve worked with our members to create a toolkit for local influencing, taking you through the key
Influencing your local councillor, media or partner
steps to getting your message heard, understood and
organisations may seem daunting, but there is no one in
acted on by local decision makers.
a better place to do this than you. You’re the expert on your community and you’re the person or organisation
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homeless.org.uk/local-influencing
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TELLING TALES Charities are often criticised for the ways in which they portray the people they help. They are accused of using ‘poverty porn’, shock tactics, emotional blackmail and more, as they try to raise awareness and funds. A recent report, User Views of Fundraising, found that many users of homelessness services understand why this might seem necessary - but asked if there’s a better way. Here we look at two projects that used more creative approaches to help people experiencing homelessness tell their own stories, in their own words.
WWW.HOMELESS.ORG.UK
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SOMEWHERE NOWHERE: LIVES WITHOUT HOMES Somewhere Nowhere: Lives Without
people experiencing homelessness and
Homes depicts the real life stories
found their stories deeply interesting,
of five people experiencing
moving, and sometimes shocking.
homelessness and describes, in
The novel is a way of talking about
their own words, the life events that
homelessness to the public without doing
preceded their homeless episodes
it in a traditional academic way.”
and the challenges they face in moving forward with their lives - with
The title Somewhere Nowhere was
key events in their lives presented in
chosen to reflect the displacement that
a graphic novel format.
people often described in their life story.
The book, the brainchild of researcher
Their main goal was to raise issues they
Gareth Morris and illustrated by Sam
encountered during the research,
Dahl, was created as part of a two
to inform and educate people who
year research project to explore the
normally wouldn’t have an interest
life courses of people experiencing
in homelessness. The book has been
homelessness in Stoke on Trent. The
published on Lulu, at the lowest price
words in the five stories in the book came directly from
the distributor allows, with the aim of reaching as many
interviews carried out during the course of the research.
people as possible.
“We wanted people to engage with our research in an
bit.ly/somewhere-nowhere
accessible way,” says Gareth Morris. “I interviewed many
Illustrated by Sam Dahl: www.samdahl.co.uk
WHERE FROM? WHERE NOW? This multimedia exhibition at the gallery@oxo this
They have spoken of experiences such as sexual and
autumn provided a unique and stark glimpse into the
emotional abuse, domestic violence as well as neglect
lives of a number of homeless women in London. It is
and loss of children.
now available online. We asked Georgina about her approach and what she Told in their own words, Where from? Where now? lays
hopes to achieve. She told us: “I wanted to help people
bare the reality of women’s homelessness in London,
tell their stories, and it had to be based on first person
looking at the reasons that have led women to become
accounts. For that, I needed to capture real voices.
homeless and how they are rebuilding their lives.
Their words not mine. The use of audio accounts in the exhibition added a dimension you can’t get through the
In partnership with St Mungo’s, photographer Georgina
photographs or written words alone. I was very conscious
Cranston spent eight months in hostels, going out with
of not interfering with their stories. They weren’t my stories
outreach teams, meeting people sleeping rough, as
to edit down. It was important to show lives, not sound
well as women living amongst the hidden homeless
bites.
population and those now in their own accommodation. Her work takes us into the lives of these women through
“My hope is that, through the exhibition, these women’s
their own voices as well as through interviews with the
stories will reach not only other women going through a
people who work with them.
similar experience but also a wider audience, including the general public as well as service providers and policy
Although all of the women’s stories are entirely individual, they have one thing in common: that they have survived not just one but a series of traumatic events in their lives.
makers.”
wherefromwherenow.org
Many thanks to Gareth Morris and Georgina Cranston for kindly granting permission for us to reproduce their artwork and photography on the cover of this magazine and throughout its pages. 40
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Above: Jakki, 46, spends time in her hostel room, London. Below: Amanda, 44, begs in Central London. Images copyright Georgina Cranston. wherefromwherenow.org | georginacranston.com
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SUPER-STRONG
CALL TO ACTION In November, the Home Office launched a ten week consultation on minimum pricing for alcohol. It’s a big step in the campaign against super-strength drinks, but it’s is no time to relax, says Mike Nicholas of Thames Reach. The three men sat slumped on the pavement just
plans to introduce minimum pricing at 45p a unit, a plan
off London’s Brick Lane as I hurried past them at the
we hope the whole homelessness sector gets behind.
weekend. Their cans of Skol Super were clutched tightly, but their gaze somehow lacked focus as I worked my way
THE ‘YOUNG OLDS’
around them.
For seven years, Thames Reach, the homeless charity I work for, has campaigned tirelessly to highlight the
One man attempted to stand up and stumbled forward
problems caused by these drinks. This is based on our
before crashing back to the ground, much to the
work with thousands of people in the past decade
amusement of his acquaintances.
whose lives have been blighted by these super-strength drinks. When we have
Yellow skinned, probably jaundiced, he was clearly ill.
successfully encouraged
The damp patch around his crotch on his fouled jeans
them to enter alcohol
displayed his failure to keep control of his own body’s
treatment or switch to
functions.
weaker brews many have got their lives back on
Super-strength lagers such as Skol Super have become
track.
the drink of choice for people with an alcohol problem. Sadly, not all listen. In For the homeless, those who gather in small groups on the
one hostel, six former
streets to drink, and in run down estates across England,
rough sleepers died in
super-strength lagers and ciders predominate.
just one year from the health problems created
Ranging between 7.5 and 10 per cent in strength, these
by these super-strength
cheap and deadly drinks are, according to our research,
drinks. Liver failure and
killing more homeless people than heroin or crack
brain damage have
cocaine.
become commonplace among England’s
REDUCING THE STRENGTH
homeless.
We were delighted when news emerged a couple of months ago that the police, councils and the NHS had
We have also witnessed the emergence of a new
teamed up in Ipswich to deliver a ‘Reducing the Strength’
group of middle aged people – the ‘young olds’ – who
campaign in a bid to target the sale of super-strength
have developed the health problems more commonly
ciders and lagers over 6.5% and look forward to other
association with people past retirement age. Poor
areas following suit.
mobility, memory loss and incontinence for someone in their thirties or forties is the daily reality. Of course we
Then, this week we saw another great step forward, when
understand that there is strong culture of beer and cider
the Home Office launched a ten-week consultation on
drinking in the UK and we also recognise that sections of
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the drinks industry promote responsible drinking.
sale will see drinkers switch to other products.
LEARNING RESPONSIBILITY
They are absolutely right. In our experience, when people
Heineken, to their great credit, stopped the production
switch from super-strength drinks to regular strength
of super-strength ciders the day after it visited a Thames
drinks, we have invariably seen an improvement in both
Reach hostel and saw for themselves the misery that
their health and behaviour.
these products caused. Super-strength lagers and ciders on sale at cheap prices Magners owner C&C have just announced a decision
is not the norm for most societies. It simply isn’t available
to drop Diamond White, K and White Star super-strength
for sale in countries such as Ireland or Australia. They’re
ciders from their drinks portfolio, quoting concerns at the
also fairly new - very few super-strength lagers and ciders
social impact of these drinks.
were produced before the 1980s and 1990s.
Sadly other companies are not so responsible, failing to
A GAME OF CONSEQUENCE
be embarrassed by having super-strength drinks in their
The impact on people’s life span and their health has
portfolio of products. A single can of these super-strength
been devastating in the relatively short period the super
lagers contains four and a half units of alcohol, in excess
strength drinks have been around.
of Government guidelines on daily consumption. Let’s not forget the social damage too – an increase in Elsewhere, wholesale companies flood inner city corner
domestic violence, anti-social behaviour and crime is all
stores and off licenses with super-strength ciders such as
too evident for those working with people with alcohol
White Ace. These come in three litre bottles, containing
problems.
a massive 22.5 units of alcohol for as little as £3.99, only 17p per unit and less than
So, let’s return for a moment to the three men on the
half of the Government’s
streets drinking their way into oblivion.
proposed minimum price of 45p per unit.
What do we need to do to tackle the deadly superstrength products like Skol Super which are blighting their
So who is regulating
lives and causing misery and distress amongst thousands
these wholesale
more across the country?
companies and where are their corporate social
The Governments should increase the tax on the most
responsibility policies?
harmful alcoholic products currently on sale in the UK, namely super-strength lagers and ciders, and a minimum
The Government recently
price of 45p a unit will have a huge impact.
added 25p to the price of a can of super-strength
The drinks industry and wholesale companies need
lager, a move which we
to regulate themselves more responsibly and stop
commended, as people’s
making super-strength drinks – and if they fail, should be
drinking habits are
regulated by others.
influenced by price. A big supermarket chain needs to stand up and end the However, the botched move to tax cider in the dying
stocking of super-strength lagers and ciders.
days of the last government, has left its own hangover, with super-strength cider remaining cheap and readily
These three key measures will be the first steps towards
available at corner stores and supermarkets.
ensuring future generations won’t end up in the gutter and back-up the message that there simply is no place
The minimum pricing proposals recently mooted by the
for super-strength ciders and lagers in society today.
Home Office need to be implemented. thamesreach.org.uk Cynics will argue that removing super-strength drinks from WWW.HOMELESS.ORG.UK
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ART IN THE COMMUNITY Laura McCullagh looks at two projects that have put the creative endeavours of homeless people right at the heart of the community. There are lots of inspiring and creative projects run by homelessness organisations around the country - and it’s been something of a privilege to have been able to support some of them through Get Creative: Arts for All. Some of the most exciting initiatives are those that have seen creative activity as an opportunity for community involvement and social inclusion, as well a chance to increase the confidence and skills of their participants. Many organisations have worked in partnership with their local communities, welcoming members of the public to get involved, and increasing people’s awareness of homelessness at the same time. and the local community with initial funding sourced They have encouraged mutual respect, empathy and
by Mirfield Community Partnership. The garden was
understanding amongst those involved and have
designed by environmental charity Groundwork,
left homeless participants feeling valued and more
and was cleared and replanted by a team including
confident to engage positively in their communities in the
local residents and clients from Stonham and mental
future.
health service Pathways. Throughout the project clients have been supported by Grace Landscapes to gain
Here are two projects that do just that, in very different
qualifications in horticulture, and one Stonham client has
ways.
now moved on to employment with the company.
THE GARDEN REGENERATION
Deborah Murphy, senior project worker for Stonham
Stonham, part of social housing provider Home Group,
Home Group, said: “It has also been fantastic to see
recently welcomed visitors to the newly-regenerated
the project forge links between local businesses and
sunken garden at Calder House in Newgate, Mirfield to
residents. We’ve had staff and clients from numerous
celebrate the achievements of the project team and
organisations get involved as well as other members
learn more about plans to open the garden to the public.
of the community, and without all their hard work the
The sunken garden, previously an overgrown piece of
regeneration could never have been achieved.”
land which had lain neglected for several years, is on the site of Stonham’s Calder House service which provides
People who took part have taken a great sense of
accommodation with support for vulnerable single adults
satisfaction from it too. Cameron said: ““The project has
who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
benefitted me immensely. I’d never done gardening before and now I’ve got a diploma in horticulture which
The regeneration is a collaboration between Stonham
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will give me the confidence to go out and try to get a
CONNECT DECEMBER 2012 | ISSUE 47
FEATURES
job. I’ve learnt how to use a lot of different tools, and it’s been great to be outside in the fresh air. It’s opened up a whole new world to me.” Once complete the garden will be open to the public as well as being used by Stonham clients for recreation.
CAFE ART Cafe Art has its roots in a St Mungo’s hostel at Argyle Walk, near Kings Cross, London. A volunteer there noticed that its art groups were producing amazing artworks every week - but there was limited scope for these works to be seen by the public. What better way to showcase the hidden talents of this often overlooked group than by exhibiting their work in Cafes in London?
To mark its first year, Cafe Art has published a calendar of artworks drawn by 12 artists affected by homelessness.
The Cafe owners get an ever-changing landscape of
Entitled the ‘ONE’ calendar, proceeds from sales will go
drawings for free, the public enjoys them while sipping
back into homeless arts projects throughout London.
their latte, and the homeless charity can disseminate the
Details of how you can purchase this calendar can be
issues of homelessness to a wider audience. Importantly,
found at www.cafeart.org.uk
the boost in self-confidence and self-esteem for all the participating artists is immeasurable, knowing that their work is now not restricted to the walls of the hostel art room, but out into the community to be celebrated and appreciated. Since launching end of April 2012, the project has grown from one single Cafe exhibiting artworks from one St Mungo’s hostel, to over 200 pieces of artworks in 20 London Cafes, all created by people affected by homelessness, from 10 different London homeless organisations. Within this short timescale, it has also held a pop-up homeless art exhibition at the world’s largest art auction house, Christie’s, and worked with Without Walls to create what could be London’s first ‘multi service provider’ art exhibition by people affected by homelessness held at the Guardian’s Head Offices.
ABOUT GET CREATIVE: ARTS FOR ALL Get Creative is a three year project run in partnership with Streetwise Opera to increase opportunities for homeless people to engage in the arts. We support homelessness organisations to build partnerships with local artists and arts organisations, sharing knowledge and good practice throughout the sector. Please get in touch if you would like support in setting up of your own arts projects or have examples of projects you’d like to share with others. laura.mccullagh@homelesslink.org.uk | www.homeless.org.uk/arts | twitter/arts_laura WWW.HOMELESS.ORG.UK
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CONNECT DECEMBER 2012 | ISSUE 47
MANAGING PEOPLE
Dear Helen,
I’m afraid it’s true that as a result of the compulsory competitive tendering environment driving the price of support contracts ever downwards, the median market rate of pay for front-line staff has reduced to a level that is difficult to live on in many areas of the country. It’s also true that the wage doesn’t in any way reflect or reward the skilled and challenging work that our workers do with clients who have deep and complex support needs. However, I believe it’s still a really good career move for anyone who wants to do work that is truly meaningful and rewarding. Homelessness organisations offer supportive management and good training and on the job opportunities to develop a whole range of skills.
I left u niversit y this summe r. Whilst doing s ome bar work I have also be en volu nteering for a homele s sne ss agency a nd have love d every min ute of it. I’m really intere sted in tr ying to a pply for a n entry level post to do front-line work , but people ha ve told me tha t wage s are go ing down a nd I’d be m uch be tter looking fo r something bett er paid a nd w it h more prospect s, like going fo r a trainee ma nage r post wit h th e pu b chain tha t I’m working for. What do you thin k?
Progression from entry level to front-line and then to
working in the
specialised or junior management roles is much faster
sector means that people can and
and more merit-based and flexible than in many other
do move upwards or sideways to better paid jobs either
sectors.
within homelessness or allied fields when they feel they need to.
Individuals from all kinds of backgrounds are supported and encouraged to succeed – provided that they
According to recent research by the Hay Group,
demonstrate genuine commitment to developing their
whereas in the past the most significant single priority for
skills, working positively with others, and doing a great job
graduates in any job was pay prospects, this year only
for their clients.
8% selected pay as their priority. The top three wants from university leavers this year were (1) real opportunities
People who work in the sector, and particularly on the
to move up the career ladder (53%); (2) the ability to
front line, are incredibly motivated by the tremendous
make a difference (51%) and (3) the chance to use their
difference their support makes to people who have often
technical knowledge or expertise (45%). And all three of
fallen into a rock bottom place in their lives. Whereas
these exist in abundance in our sector.
various studies have indicated that in the UK workforce as a whole only about 35% of people feel fulfilled in their jobs, this rises to 75% in homelessness charities.Also, the opportunity to develop a whole host of transferable skills
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Helen Giles is HR Director of Broadway and Managing Director of Broadway’s Real People HR consultancy www.broadwaysrealpeople.com
CONNECT DECEMBER 2012 | ISSUE 47
WHAT’S ON?
INSPIRED
UPCOMING TRAINING AND EVENTS FOR THE HOMELESSNESS SECTOR:
JANUARY 17
FREE ONLINE EVENT | ASK THE EXPERT Understanding Women’s Homelessness - Rebuilding Shattered Lives homeless.org.uk/web-women
22
FREE ONLINE EVENTS | EFFECTIVE ACTION Using the planning pathway to set up an activity homeless.org.uk/web-planning
29
FREE ONLINE EVENTS | EFFECTIVE ACTION Using the planning pathway to develop your programme of activities homeless.org.uk/web-planning
MARCH 21
MATIONAL CONFERENCE: WELFARE AWARE - UNDERSTANDING AND PREPARING FOR CHANGE Are you ready for the changes to benefits? Are you ready to help your clients prepare? This event will provide you with detailed advice on what the changes are, when they are occurring and how you can prepare your service and your clients for these changes. Tuesday 21 March 2013 | London homeless.org.uk/event_welfare_aware
STAY IN THE LOOP For up to date information on events and training, visit...
www.homeless.org.uk/conference-diary www.homeless.org.uk/training ...and subscribe to our regular member bulletins...
www.homeless.org.uk/keep-informed
WWW.HOMELESS.ORG.UK WWW.HOMELESS.ORG.UK
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COMMENT
CONNECT DECEMBER 2012 | ISSUE 47
RESOURCES We’ve pulled together a list of resources and research related to the features in CONNECT 46. If you have any information you would like to share with our member organisations, please write to editor@homelesslink.org.uk.
HOMELESS LINK INFORMATION
ROUGH SLEEPING
Find us online
Streetlink
twitter.com/homelesslink
www.streetlink.org.uk
facebook.com/homelesslink homeless.org.uk/blog
Pathways to Housing www.pathwaystohousing.org
Take a Step - to help end rough sleeping Join our campaign - on our website or on
Rough Sleeping Portal
Facebook.
homeless.org.uk/roughsleepingportal
homeless.org.uk/take-a-step Statutory rough sleeping figures 2011 Effective Action
bit.ly/dclg-rs2011
Good practice guidance for local authorities and services homeless.org.uk/effective-action
CONTRIBUTOR LINKS
Homelessness Transition Fund Open to applications for Small Grants homeless.org.uk/fund
Georgina Cranston - georginacranston.com
Our policy work
SHP - www.shp.org.uk
Where to start looking for information on our policy Unheard Holler - unheardholler.blogspot.co.uk
campaigning and lobbying. homeless.org.uk/policy-team
Centrepoint - centrepoint.org.uk In the regions Meet your Homeless Link regional managers.
New Forest Nightstop - newforestnightstop.org.uk
homeless.org.uk/contact-regional-manager Real People - www.broadwaysrealpeople.com And your NAC representatives. homeless.org.uk/contact-nac
Thames Reach - www.thamesreach.org.uk
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