Prevention of Homelessness Duties - A Joint Scottish Government and COSLA Consultation

Where the public body is the sole or main contact with an individual they are in the best position to obtain information about their current situation and help the individual to get the help and support they need to improve their circumstances.

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A secure tenant should be supported through Housing Options and the Allocations Policy to resolve these issues. Redacted text

Often public bodies such as health, prison service, criminal justice are engaging with clients who do not have the knowledge, information or ability to contact the relevant services to prevent or resolve their homelessness situation.

Resolving a potentially homeless or homeless situation will give the person the necessary stability to engage in other aspects of their life.

It needs to become a requirement to ask and tell otherwise the situation wont change. Many public bodies may already gather this information but do not act on it at best advising the person to contact other services without any support or follow up.

All health services - hospitals inpatients and outpatients , A&E, primary care etc

Prisons and Court

Social work

Criminal Justice

Job Centre

Education services

Individuals will engage with these bodies regularlyRedacted text

Prevention of homelessness is more effective when there is the opportunity to plan and communicate with all parties to obtain the relevant information, needs and expectations of the individual. It is also an opportunity to set realistic expectations for all parties.

Better information about all aspects of homeless services and practice

Information sharing between the homeless service and public bodies locally to enable a better understanding of resources available, waiting times other alternatives to homelessness (housing options). Housing and homelessness training for front line staff.

Presence of housing/homeless staff within public bodies eg A&E, Hospitals, Prisons to raise awareness among the public and staff.

Every opportunity should be taken to make people aware of the services that may be available to help with their issues people engage with HSCP for a range of issues often when not in contact with other services.

Identifying a persons issues then passing on to enable further discussion is a good basis for partnership working and more the opportunity to deliver a successful outcome for the individual

This has it's place in working together to prevent homelessness but is not necessarily the best way.

This would be a tool in the prevention of homelessness

Integration authority have the expertise and knowledge to develop suitable accommodation. This must be a housing type solution not an institutional facility.

If the IA were taking the lead housing providers and other partners would become involved.

Need to be a joint approach to commissioning and provision of services especially suitable accommodation.

Having a duty of this nature would hopefully reduce this risk of people with the most complex needs requiring temporary accommodation in an emergency situation. However, this is dependant on funding and other resources being made available by all relevant services and solutions established that met the long-term support and housing needs of the client group.

Early intervention/identification of homeless situations and the opportunity to work together to resolve all the issues of the client will be a better outcome for the individual and potentially prevent someone getting into a crisis situation.

In many cases a social worker or social care worker is aware that a person is at risk of becoming homeless before the crisis situation occurs. This should form part of ongoing support / interaction between the client and the service.

A duty to co-operate is essential but will not be effective in ensuring people get support unless there is a joined up and funded approach to ensuring health and social care services are available to all.

This will have to include better understanding of the issues faced by people in complex situations, the support needed by individuals to overcome the challenges even where they have been caused by a lifestyle choice. Very often a lack of skills and or trauma experiences are behind these choices.

Better communication between hospitals, mental health services and local authority at an earlier stage in the discharge process will lead to a better understanding of the services available in the community and the availability of accommodation.

Flexible support systems that allow intense support at initial discharge which can be tailored as the person settles in the community.

Ensure that the patient being released has accessible follow up services.

Support for mental illness should be local and accessible and available for all levels of severity of illness as a preventative service as well as a reactive service.

The assistance provided should be in the context of the persons situation and should be tailored to fit the identified needs. For many this will just be information and signposting for others there will be a need for more intense assistance.

Placing a limit to those who are being discharged from hospital may not prevent homelessness. Where the risk of a person losing accommodation is identified earlier, similar to prison proposals this information should be passed to the local authority to enable the service to look at options for maintaining the accommodation where appropriate.

The raising of hope and expectations does not help the overall management of a complex situation and only accurate and up to date information should be passed on.

Better communication channels leading to earlier interventions and a better end result.

Lack of suitable stock in all sectors in Stirling including property available for sale.

GP'S for many are the only public body that a potential client would engage with, and will understand how the housing circumstances are affecting someones health.

A duty on the GP would open up a two way communication channel between the local authority and Primary Care, contacting and getting support for clients from GP's is time consuming and very difficult in a lot of areas.

Improved awareness for staff within the GP surgery of the services available within housing and homelessness.

Better understanding within Local authority of the roles within Primary Care and the value of approaching the most appropriate person.

Better way of communicating and engaging with the relevant healthcare workers perhaps dedicated enquiries email addresses.

Housing First initiative is showing that a joined up approach to providing support to people with multiple and complex needs can significantly increase the prospects of sustaining a tenancy. Wrap around support ensures that wider support needs are met.

Better communication and understanding of needs of client and agreement regarding sharing of resources including funding and tasks to ensure the client is prevented from becoming homeless or is resettled quickly.

N/A

A "team around the person" approach could be adopted with all services agencies involved attending a meeting in person or virtually.

Would need to develop an agreed referral system and process with a lead person being identified for each case.
It will take time to establish the importance and ensue that process runs smoothly, however agreement at a senior level is needed to ensure attendance is at the right level to get a solution as quickly as possible with few barriers.

Challenges

Attendance by appropriate services - One service taking a lead role to coordinate, agreed paperwork/information sharing so that everyone invited knows the situation and what might be expected of them.

Agreement on how cases are prioritised

Number of cases that will need to be considered - use of technology and virtual meetings to save time and travel.

By making it a legislative duty the ultimate outcome for the homeless client should be a suitable housing solution based on their needs and the expectations in which they are supported to live as independently as possible and sustain the tenancy.

There are many examples of failed tenancies and repeat homelessness because the appropriate level of support wasn't in place, or the property isn't suitable for the client, or the client wasn't been involved in the process etc.

Providing suitable accommodation gives the individual the chance of stability and an opportunity to address there other needs.

Often the only point of contact a young mother has with public bodies and may engage and disclose issues more readily with someone they know .

Health visitors one of the few services that can get the trust of a young mother or father and visit them in the home environment.

H.V or Education service would refer case on to homeless prevention staff and where necessary support the client to engage with housing initially. Taking part in any case management discussions where there are common issues.

Referral should be as soon as the service is aware of a potential problem. If this falls outwith homeless timescales at least some prevention and housing options work can be done with the client.

Homeless Services need to link with:
Schools and colleges
Social Work Children and Families
Youth Services and Youth employability projects.

Offer a range of dedicated accommodation and support to allow the young person to feel safe and enable a plan to be made which would include mediation with previous accommodation - family,flat mates,friends etc.
Shared information between services to ensure holistic approach and alternatives are considered.

Involve young people and relevant services in the design of the service.

Mediation service that is available quickly and seen as independent of other services/parties would be of great benefit along with other prevention tools to help shape a housing plan for a young person.

It could prevent the young person having to go into homeless accommodation and give partners an opportunity to work towards the young person finding their own accommodation in a supported way.

Social Work would require to have suitable accommodation with necessary support and housing options advice available to ensure the young person gets immediate support and a longer term plan.

Responsibility for supporting this age group should sit with SW but must be in partnership with other services.

Young people do not engage with social work

Potential for gate keeping- should be part of a range of tools for addressing young homelessness.

Support for young people in trouble involved in crime/substance misuse etc. will need to be intensive and available to all as a prevention tool and to support those already requiring homeless accommodation.

SW and Housing must be supported to develop this proposal together to ensure the appropriate services are in place.

The question should be asked on admission especially for those on remand or short sentences so that communication with the housing service can begin as soon as possible.
This ensures that the authority are aware of the future demand and can consider with the client a plan for their release both in the short term (accommodation on day of liberation) and the longer term.

If a new prisoner has a property/tenancy it is essential that they are are able to communicate with the landlord to secure the property, where possible agree a way to retain the property and if not possible to end the tenancy as quickly as possible keeping rent arrears and other costs to a minimum.

Current practice is useful however needs to be further developed to put responsibility on the prisoner and the prison staff to identify issues.

Better links between local authorities and the prisons would be essential perhaps by basing a housing options staff within the prison who would be able to offer advice to individuals and staff and be the link person to a number of authorities.

Local Authorities should have a duty placed on them to provide comprehensive information about housing and homelessness in their area for the use of staff and prisoners.

More emphasis needs to be placed on life skills and he knowledge and skills needed to sustain a tenancy whilst in prison.

Prisons have to work with a number of local authorities with a range of allocations and homeless policy and practice.

Many prison sentences are short term which may prevent any meaningful work being done before a prisoner is liberated.

Better planning of release, making sure services are easily available on day of release including criminal justice, support for substance misuses, support to set up UC and Housing/accommodation services.

Consideration should be given to the role of Housing First and whether signing up for a tenancy on the the day of release is feasible and practical.

Consider temporary accommodation available for those being liberated and potential risk of abuse/anti social behaviour.

It would enable those already with a tenancy to communicate with the service and inform them of the situation therefore preventing possible abandonment/rent arrears and explaining to other tenants/family in the house their rights

Advice for remand or other prisoners released from court when there have been no other opportunities to engage with housing options advice.

Often Police are the first point of contact for a rough sleeper or someone homeless as a result of another incident.

An agreed referral system would need to be set up to ensure police are aware of the homeless services available and the client referred on or taken to the preferred service.

This happens in many cases at the moment but the Local Authority must provide relevant information and training.

These proposed measures would ensure that the victims of domestic abuse are supported to remain or be rehoused to a safe secure home.
The should be implemented in full to ensure fair treatment and service across Scotland

These proposals could be implemented easily and reflect some current
practises in many organisations.

Unless there is a statutory duty for the LA to respond to the initial ask and act there is no purpose to making this legislative change.

A formal process would reduce the risk of information becoming "lost" and not acted upon.

Communication between the public body and the LA should improve and information sharing become more effective

Early intervention and prevention work in partnership with the public body will improve the outcome or the client.

Potential to have an increased level of referrals and need to adjust workloads/prioritise to ensure that cases are followed up quickly.

A need to develop information and training materials to ensure information being passed to clients by the Public Body is accurate and easy to understand.

Unless there is immediate danger to life etc the individual should have to consent before a referral is made.

Including the requirement to join up services through strategic planning into legislation is the best way to ensure action and a national perspective to homelessness.

Provision of temporary accommodation and addressing the needs of those unable to sustain a tenancy in the community without intensive support.

Will need to develop processes to ensure the security of information including information sharing agreements and mandates to be signed by clients.

Would be an opportunity for local authority and other public bodies working together to offer the specialist support needed to sustain the tenancy.

Social Landlords require the resources to ensure that they are able to meet the needs of their clients.

Tenants of all social landlords including the local authorities should have the same security of tenure and access to support.

N/A

To ensure as much information is shared to ensure the appropriate support of the client.

This would develop from the current Section 11 process and would have to be recorded and acted upon by the local authority with 2 way communication and responsibilities.

Any earlier in the process would generate a large amount of extra referrals which may not come to fruition. Notification as the notice is served is an early warning of possible action.

N/A

Ensures fair treatment of private tenants and brings PRS in line with social landlords ensuring tenants feel secure in their private rented property and that the appropriate steps will be taken to deal with an arrears or other situation.

Local authorities currently respond to referrals from private sector landlords or their tenants regarding homelessness. The legislative duty would ensure that this is done in all cases but may result in large increases in referral in some areas creating a resource issue.

Private landlords may need information and training about their responsibilities with regard to taking possession, dealing with rent arrears etc and understanding the role the local authority can play in supporting the landlord and also the tenant who his in danger of becoming homeless.

The Local Authority using a power to delay an eviction will ensure the tenant is being treated fairly, that there is time to investigate the situation and find a suitable solution to the issues faced by the landlord and the tenant. This could include exploring repayment plans, planned move to alternative accommodation or a homeless referral. This would allow for a more planned outcome and not crisis.

The use of the private sector to discharge duty when appropriate is essential to ensure that people do not remain homeless. There is a shortage of social housing in many parts of he country and demand can not be met.

This activity should already be happening, in practice this needs to be recognised and resources made available to work more closely with the private sector.

In some areas private sector rental is not a viable solution to clients on low income or relying on benefits, as rent levels in the PRS are high (well above LHA|)

Will ensure delivery of services are comparable across the country.

Prevention of homelessness may not reduce greatly the long term demand for housing but will better manage the expectations of the clients and reducet he need for temporary accommodation.

A system that offers more choice and control to the client is to be welcomed but will be difficult to manage in areas where there the demand for property far outstrips supply and other housing solutions are unaffordable.

Focusing on prevention will allow LA's to be more flexible in their approach to delivering housing options services and will reduce the dependency for temporary accommodation.

Improvement in prevention services.

Longer period to investigate homelessness and possibly prevent homelessness.

At present waiting list application asks the question about homelessness in 6 months, the applicant is referred to the homeless housing options team for early consideration.
This practice would continue. At present this would be treated as an advice case until 56 days before expected date of homelessness.

Referrals from other bodies would be treated in line with new legislation and early prevention/investigative work started.

These changes may affect the ongoing caseloads but would be monitored.

Log as an advice case and work with the applicant to try and resolve homelessness. When it is recognised that there is no alternative solutions a homeless assessment would be submitted .

All authorities will be working to the same framework and clients get the same service .

Greater monitoring of outcomes of advice cases.

Monitor responses by the LA to other bodies following receipt of a referral including details of follow up and outcomes for the individual.

Have to listen to the client but need to be realistic about property availability and property types and that flats may be the only option.

Views will be noted and options explained/investigated.

Proper recording - includes applicants views and information on realistic options.

To ensure thorough housing options discussion.

To work towards helping a client sustain their tenancy.

Once settled in temporary accommodation when it can be discussed in more depth. The initial presentation is often difficult for the individual and taking in all the information at that interview is challenging.

Once settled into temporary accommodation ensures that the client fully understands what Housing Support could help with and whether they would be willing to engage.

If the person is presenting a few months before being homeless it may become obvious that support will be needed and an assessment taken then. It is really on a case by case basis.

If prevention has not been successful a full homeless case would need to be assessed and the client offered temporary accommodation if needed.

The assistance should be tailored to meet the clients needs at a given time and flexible enough to allow for changes in circumstances.

Temporary Accommodation (perhaps for emergency/cooling off time until a resolution can be sort that allows return to the secure accommodation).

Safety advice - support to liaise with police, install safety equipment etc.

Support them to find an alternative solution.

Mediation where it is safe (not domestic abuse cases) unless it is mediation to remove the perpetrator).

This practice is already in place in many authorities partnership working and protocols are in place but putting this into legislation will again ensure better service across all local authorities and social landlords.

The need to create a personalised plan for the individual in consultation/with the support of individual and all services involved.

The need to understand the housing status of someone entering an institution or a specific group from an early stage to ensure that everything possible has been done to prevent them losing accommodation.

This will strengthen and improve the service available to victims of DA ensuring that the same services and support is available to women in all Local Authority areas.

LA will need to consider the choices of the women and where safe enable them to stay in the family property and rehouse the perpetrator.

Service practice and processes must ensure that the victim of DA does not have to repeat their story multiple times in order to get through the organisations triage system and has a named officer throughout their homeless journey who is trained in the support of DA victims.

Agree should be a minimum of 12 months concerns in this area about discharging into the private sector.

For secuirity

Ensuring that the client is given a fair lease/tenancy agreement.

Would this be stable accommodation?

Not Sure how it would work if the family relationship broke down regularly.

Would give the majority of applicants a stable home.

It is important that all of these factors are considered in relation to suitability of housing outcomes. However local factors/pressures must also be considered. Stock availability, turnover and demand as well as affordability must be taken into account.

A possible alternative for those unable to live in their own tenancy

There are opportunities for review outlined in the legislation at each stage of the process.

A person has the right to review but this has to be in the context of the reality of the availability of housing and support in a particular area.

Fair Process
Tenants are informed of the appeal process at each stage

The SHR focus is on homeless duty, outcomes and the provision of temporary accommodation. More focus and monitoring needs to be directed towards ensuring appropriate outcomes in relation to prevention approach where appropriate and ensuring that RSL's are also contributing to the prevention approach.

Unsure what information would be collected or of use to other bodies.

Monitoring information should be available nationally and passed to relevant bodies to enable the monitoring of the changes affecting their organisation.

To ensure accurate information for service development and a better understanding of future resources requirements.

This package raises the awareness of homelessness across a much wider range of services and increases the opportunities for individuals to engage where they feel secure.

Making homelessness everyone's responsibility may improve the understanding of other bodies of the issues faced by their clients who are unable to obtain housing or are in a homeless situation and how this may affect the way they engage with services.

Each element of the package can work independently but working as a whole will greatly improve homeless services, partnership working and outcomes.

Clear guidance and training to ensure all partners/services understand the requirements and expectations of their service and their role in the prevention of homelessness is key.

Current policies and processes should ensure that different groups are able to access more tailored services on an equal basis and provides a person centred approach.

Improved prevention duties and processes will increase the opportunities available for an individual to discuss their housing situation in an environment that is more comfortable to them.

Wider knowledge about housing in public bodies will improve their understanding about the effect that insecure housing has on all aspects of someones life including their ability to engage with other services.

A significant resource will be required to ensure these new duties are incorporated into their working practices.

Resource intensive in terms of development and training requirements, system development for different agencies.

Improved joint working with other public bodies.

Concerns that there will be an increase in the number of presentations for advice or to present as homeless may have an effect on staffing requirements.

Improved opportunities to work jointly with partners to resolve an individuals issues.

We will need to embed protocols for referral and improve information sharing agreements to enable effective referrals and case management.

Not in short term as the extra duties and potential number of cases over a sustained period will increase the need for resources.
Longer term as the culture changes and expectations of homeless clients change we may see a difference.

Training for all homeless and mainstream housing staff on the new legislation and the policies and procedures that are needed to meet the new prevention duties.

Information and training will be developed for the public bodies linked to the LA to ensure accurate and local information is available to all parties.

As a small LA training of current staff would be achievable. However training of local public bodies will take longer and will have be planned between the 3 local authorities in Forth Valley. There are 2 HSCP and 1 NHS Board covering the Forth Valley area with 3 housing services all with differing demands and service provision. 3 prisons in the Forth Valley area although the majority of prisoners are liberated from prisons outwith the area.

Ensuring good local advice is going to be time consuming.

Number, Source and quality of referrals from other public bodies.

Av length of prevention case and outcome of prevention or homelessness.

Monitoring of outcomes from prevention cases over longer periods.

Level of sustainment a result of early intervention/prevention work.

Consideration of prevent/hl's being amalgamated to show full homelessness/prevention journey.