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Implementing the Homelessness Reduction Act: Practical Support and Lessons Learned

This briefing provides practical support and lessons learned for local authorities in implementing the Homelessness Reduction Act. It includes research assessing the implementation of the Act and experiences of people seeking help. Key messages include the importance of frontline officers, co-designing solutions, and addressing hidden challenges in implementing the "duty to refer". The briefing offers ideas such as co-design sessions, changes in service models, frontline officer networks, and practical and relevant training.

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Implementing the Homelessness Reduction Act: Practical Support and Lessons Learned

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  1. Implementing the Homelessness Reduction ActJoe Smith – Local Authority Practice Manager

  2. Our HRA work at Crisis Westminster Briefing 6 Local Authorities 5 Local Authorities • Practical support to help implement the HRA. Working more broadly with other local authorities and stakeholders to share learning and good practice Research assessing implementation of the HRA and experiences of people seeking help crisis.org.uk

  3. Key messages today Frontline officers are fundamental to many of the key factors for success of the Homelessness Reduction Act Co-designing and testing solutions with them is the best way to overcome issues and challenges Implementing the 'duty to refer' in practice comes with hidden challenges. It is vital to co-design arrangements with partners Westminster Briefing crisis.org.uk

  4. HRA lessons so far: staff impact Westminster Briefing • Able to work with people for longer & in a more meaningful way • Officer training to date has tended to focus on the new legal duties vs. how to apply these to cases • Prevention & relief options have not changed. Focus therefore on "selling" the options available – empowerment, motivation & involvement • Increased bureaucracy and administration • Higher caseloads, workloads and pressure on staff • Differing experiences for officers and levels of confidence • Risk of a tendency towards standard and limited set of ‘reasonable steps’ within personalised plans • Culture change will take time! crisis.org.uk

  5. View of frontline housing/ homelessness officers Westminster Briefing New internal procedures and processes Structural constraints & increasingly difficult to place people in options available New or updated IT and CMS New legal duties and framework Increasing levels of need and complexity of people presenting Staff changes inc. recruitment and restructures Increasing caseloads Expected culture change: investigator -> skilled helper & person-centred approach Increased admin and bureaucracy "It's been a lot to take in over the past 6 months" crisis.org.uk

  6. Concepts Brainstorming Solutions Synthesising Research  Design Brief User Research How might we help officers utilise the interventions and solutions they have available, to best meet the needs and circumstances of every service user? Journey Maps Developing themes & insights Lots of ideas Developing concepts to test & prototype in the service Group Interviews & Discussions crisis.org.uk Approach in Durham: 2-day co-design workshop Westminster Briefing

  7. Some ideas Westminster Briefing • Co-design sessions with officers (and partners) • Changes in the service model e.g. users are allocated an individual caseworker and a separate coach/mentor, dedicated officers for cases dependent on complexity, embedded administration support etc. • Frontline officer network with neighbouring authorities and partners • Helpful tools e.g. prevention & relief toolkits, directory of services • Reflective practice, action learning sets and peer support • Practice observations • Practical and relevant training (e.g. coaching skills, motivational interviewing) with supporting tools to embed in everyday working practices • Staff feedback forums e.g. regular stand-ups, 'huddles' and check-ins crisis.org.uk

  8. Duty to refer: making it work in practice in Oxfordshire Westminster Briefing Work packages Strategic local agreement and 'commitment to cooperate' Referral mechanism 'Duty to refer' procedure Supporting Guidance & FAQs Data & Information Security Monitoring & Review Current State Diagnostic Training, Support & Awareness Test & Pilot crisis.org.uk

  9. Duty to refer: food for thought Westminster Briefing • Local vs. National approaches • Mandatory vs. discretionary information • Making contact after a referral • Multiple and repeat referrals • Extending to a commitment to cooperate • Impact on existing referral arrangements and pathways crisis.org.uk

  10. Key messages today Frontline officers are fundamental to many of the key factors for success of the Homelessness Reduction Act Co-designing and testing solutions with them is the best way to overcome issues and challenges Implementing the 'duty to refer' in practice comes with hidden challenges. It is vital to co-design arrangements with partners Westminster Briefing crisis.org.uk

  11. Joe Smith Local Authority Practice Manager joe.smith@crisis.org.uk 07966448675

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