The National Practitioner Support Service (NPSS)

1. The National Practitioner Support Service (NPSS) Introduction Sept 2013 Tracy Hendren / Chris Hancock National Practitioners

2. The Team • National Homelessness Practitioners • Experienced in front line homelessness work, managing and putting together effective services • Experienced in reviewing local authority housing options and wider services • Coordinators • Supporting Peer Reviews & Gold Standard applications: supporting the team, the Advisory Committee, and local authorities

3. The 10 Steps • Step 1 - Pledge to “strive for continuous improvement in front line housing services” • Step 2 - FREE one year Shelter Legal membership • Step 3 - FREE legal training to all local authorities • Step 4 - FREE bespoke Gold Standard training to all local authorities • Step 5 - FREE ‘Value for Money’ cost efficiency assessment tool • Step 6 - FREE statistical compiler • Step 7 - FREE access to verified good practice examples from around the country, and other related free toolkits - linked to the 10 challenges • Step 8 - FREE Diagnostic Peer Review Toolkit • Step 9 - FREE comprehensive benchmarking toolkit available to local authorities who agree to share the results of their peer reviews and VFM assessments • Step 10 - If you decide – Apply for the Gold Standard Challenge

4. Diagnostic Peer Review Toolkit • The NPSS actively encourages LAs to work in groups of 3 or more to undertake peer reviews using the toolkit. This approach offers a healthy challenge & draws in experience, expertise and support from different areas • To make an application for Gold Standard - there needs to be 3 or more partners involved in a peer review...and an authority needs to achieve a minimum 60% overall score • There is support available from the NPSS for groups of 3 or more local authorities undertaking peer reviews in this way • Local authorities can use the DPR toolkit internally to review their own services, or undertake a peer review with just 1 other partner local authority in order to improve their services, prior to considering a wider peer review or applying for Gold Standard • The toolkit can also be used to support on going bite size reviews of specific elements of the service, for example supporting periodic case file reviews, and other quality assurance monitoring initiatives

5. 3 Stages to DPRs Stage 1: Planning • Agree a peer group (3 or more partner LAs) • Identify who will undertake the DPR from each partner LA (NPSS advise utilising anyone in an existing County or Sub-regional coordinator role, plus one person from 2 of the other LAs not being reviewed at any given time – it is important to ensure objective results and healthy challenge. Where there are more than 3 LAs involved, always ensure that peer reviewers are from different partner LAs) • Review guidance • Agree approach & consistent understanding of the scoring framework • Engage stakeholders and develop timetables • Brief staff...

6. 3 Stages to DPRs Stage 2: The Peer Review • Desk top review (1 day, 1 officer) • Onsite challenge (3 days), 2 officers • Feedback (1 day), 1 officer Stage 3: Develop Continuous Improvement Plans • Peer Reviewer to provide framework for a CIP • CIPs based on the recommendations arising • Gold Standard Challenge application...?

7. Gold Standard Process • 60%+ peer review score using the online Peer Review Tool • Gold Standard application must be within 3 months of the Peer Review • Applicants can apply for a minimum of (any) 3 Local Challenges at a time • 3 month timescale to either apply for the next 3 Local Challenges and/or re-apply for any Local Challenges that were not achieved first time round • Continuous Improvement Plans (CIPs) and Practitioner Support • Recognition for committing to the process and achievements “Bronze” stage = 1 - 4 Local Challenges achieved “Silver” stage = 5 - 9 Local Challenges achieved “Gold Standard” Award = 10 Local Challenges achieved

8. 10 “Local Challenges” • Corporate commitment • Partnership with voluntary sector and other local partners to address support, education, employment and training needs • Housing Options prevention service, including written advice, to all clients • No Second Night Out model or an effective local alternative • Housing pathways agreed or in development with each key partner and client group that includes appropriate accommodation and support • Suitable PRS offer for all client groups, including advice and support to both clients and landlords • Active engagement in preventing mortgage repossessions including through the Mortgage Rescue Scheme • Have a homelessness strategy which sets out a proactive approach to preventing homelessness and is reviewed annually so that it is responsive to emerging needs • Not place any young person aged 16 or 17 in B&B • Not place any families in Bed and Breakfast accommodation unless in an emergency and then for no longer than 6 weeks

9. Basic Process

10. NPSS Ethos • There are no failed applications for Gold Standard • All carrot, no stick – voluntary and optional • Promote wider benefits of programme • Value for money • Service Recognition • Focus on ‘Continuous Improvement’ with full support from NPSS

11. Gold Standard Update • 305/326 Local Authorities completed step 1 • 304/326 Local Authorities completed step 2 • 121/326 Local Authorities completed step 3 • 310/326 Local Authorities contacted NPSS • 53/326 Local Authorities have downloaded the DPR • 41/326 Local Authorities have downloaded the Statistical Compiler

12. Contact Details: generalenquiries@practitionersupport.orgpeerreview@practitionersupport.orggoldstandard@practitionersupport.orgtracy.hendren@practitionersupport.orgchris.hancock@practitionersupport.org anne.doyle@practitionersupport.org www.practitionersupport.org