Transcript No Slide Title

Fiona Kirkman
Supporting People Manager
South East London Housing Partnership
Homelessness Group
6th September 2006
Ripple Recommendations
Recommendation 1.
The JCM should explore the introduction of ‘common assessment
frameworks’ which would include sufficient detail on clients past and
current housing status. In the first instance the DST/commissioning
team may wish to consider undertaking a review of current datasets.
Such practice should assist in effective monitoring of the Treatment
Plan and identify areas for improvement.
This works fits in with the ‘models of care’ work that has been started
in the borough covering standard assessment tools. Liaison with DIP
housing lead re nature of data needed. Include housing data in new
commissioning team database design.
Recommendation 2
Consideration should be given to encouraging housing providers and
the HOC in recording ‘drug and alcohol use’ as part of their routine
datasets. Clearly training particularly on attitudes, will need to be
addressed to ensure data collected does not result in a barrier to
engagement.
Recommendation 3.
The DST may wish to further examine the heightened risk of
homelessness
in those aged 25-34 years given that this is also the age group mostly at
risk of drug-related deaths. This activity could be incorporated into the
DAAT’s proposed harm reduction audit and strategy.
This area of risk has been highlighted in the current harm reduction
audit/strategy work.
Recommendation 4.
It may prove useful to examine the pathway to homelessness in the
different
ethnic groups and communities in Lewisham, identifying any potential
protective factors in
specific ethnic groups and communities that can be disseminated widely.
Recommendation 5.
In view of this finding, there is a need to increase the number of HHUs
stipulated in the Lewisham Supporting People’s Strategy for 20052010.
Recommendation 6.
To examine the barrier to access for those problem
drug users aged 16-24 and 35-44 years; and problem drinkers aged 25-44
years. The following
are two suggestions that could be pursued immediately:
a. As there already exists two Supporting People workers within HOC
targeting 16-17 years old, the supporting people team may wish to
consider expanding the remit of the SP workers, with an emphasis on
facilitating ‘sign posting’
to services that offer appropriate support for their drug, alcohol and housing
issues;
b. To explore undertaking, with the Substance Misuse Worker attached to
YOT and
ACAPS and the Supporting People’s Young People’s Worker, a survey of
young people’s views
on the specific barriers they encounter in accessing housing services.
Recommendation 7.
(a) In view of the client’s negative perception of the HOC, the
DST/HOC may wish to consider undertaking a training needs
analysis (TNA) of HOC and associated agencies. The outcome of
the TNA should be employed to develop a continuing professional
development module, which should be included both in new staff
induction programmes, and as part of training within the
organisation. To ensure that this training and workforce support is
given the necessary priority, DST/HOC should ensure that this
recommendation is taken
b) The Safer Lewisham partnership & DST/SP team may wish to
invite the HOC to develop a collaborative working partnership to
address the ‘gap in information’ identified by clients as part of an
information dissemination strategy.
Recommendation 8.
Supporting people may need to re examine the current policy regarding
ongoing support and consider introducing additional steps as part of a longer
term disengagement programme.
Recommendation 9.
In keeping with this review and in view of the priority groups identified in the
Housing Needs Assessment, the supporting people team may wish to
introduce a ‘screening panel’ to manage the block quotas for marginalised
groups. The panel should consider establishing criteria which would ensure
that nominations, which may have alternative routes into housing, are screened
out.
Recommendation 10.
Supporting People may wish to undertake a review with their
Housing Providers on admission criteria and exclusion policies, with
the recommendation that Housing Providers should not exclude
clients purely based on the fact that they are in treatment for
substance misuse. Furthermore the DST Substance Misuse
Training and Workforce Strategy, in collaboration with DIP and
Supporting People target Supporting People Housing Providers
around working with drug and alcohol clients. In particular the
training programme should incorporate a module on Risk
Assessment associated with offending.
Recommendation 11.
Currently refuge policies can exclude substance using clients. It
may be useful for the DV co-ordinator to investigate which policies
are in existence, and ensure that refuge staff have access
substance use training and support from substance use services