KENT JOINT POLICY AND PLANNING BOARD (HOUSING) – WORKING WITH PARTNERS ACROSS KENT

1. KENT JOINT POLICY AND PLANNING BOARD (HOUSING) – WORKING WITH PARTNERS ACROSS KENT • Tracey Kerly – Head of Customers, Homes and Properties at Ashford Borough Council and Vice Chair of Kent Joint Policy and Planning Board (JPPB).

2. Kent Joint Policy and Planning Board (JPPB) is : • a multi agency strategic partnership which seeks to build relationships across Kent • a forum where strategic issues requiring joint working between health, housing and social care can be raised and addressed • a bridge across Kent where there are gaps in services and delivery of those services

3. LINKING IN WITH PARTNERS • Kent Housing Group • Kent Supporting People • Health • Joint Strategic Needs Assessments

4. JPPB • The JPPB is always chaired by a Head Of Housing from one of the Kent Districts and Boroughs and the present Chair is John Littlemore from Maidstone Borough Council • There is a Joint Planning Manager- Lesley Clay- whose role is to co-ordinate projects and activities for the JPPB, to monitor the board’s action plan and to communicate effectively with all agencies involved in housing health and social care across Kent. This post is jointly funded by the JPPB representative agencies

5. JPPB INITIATIVES • Young Persons’ Homelessness Protocol • Mental Health Protocols • Intentionally Homeless Families with Children Protocol • Resettlement of Offenders Protocol • Kent Reconnection Policy • Kent Move On Accommodation Strategy • Vulnerable Persons’ Strategy for Choice Based Lettings • Emergency Accommodation Protocol

6. YOUNG PERSONS’ HOMELESSNESS PROTOCOL The JPPB originally launched this protocol in 2007 – aims were • To encourage multi-agency working • To prevent homelessness • To share information • To ensure that young people receive a seamless service

7. YOUNG PERSONS’ HOMELESSNESS PROTOCOL2010 • The protocol is the minimum standard for all agencies in Kent to use when dealing with homeless young people. Where local arrangements go above and beyond this protocol –these need sharing! • The emphasis is on joint working to achieve a settled, safe and secure outcome for the young person with appropriate support in place • The protocol defines the statutory duties of Housing and Children’s services and encourages joint working between agencies to ensure satisfactory outcomes for these young people • Encourage joint assessments of homeless young people by CSS and LHAs

8. OUTCOMES FROM 2010 PROTOCOL • Agencies work in partnership • To ensure that reconciliation between young people and their families/carers is achieved wherever possible • That there is a clear and transparent process understood by all relevant staff • Prevent the young person from being ‘bounced’ between agencies • Provision of information leaflets designed by and for young people • A recognition that housing alone is not an answer • That joint training is delivered for all partner agencies • Individual procedure guidance notes are available for each agency

9. BENEFITS • Working in partnership to deliver training demonstrated a consistent message • Building relationships between agencies/faces to names • Inclusion of voluntary sector • All documents on JPPB website can be downloaded • Cost savings

10. NEXT STEPS • ‘Mop up’ training session • Easy read leaflets • Young Persons’ version of the Protocol • Mystery Shoppers • DVD • Internet Game

11. Thank you for listening • Protocols and documents can be found on our website: www.kentjppbhousing.org • You can contact the Joint Planning Manager by emailing Lesley.clay@canterbury.gov.uk