Agenda item

To receive an update on homelessness.

The Panel received a presentation on homelessness which has been attached to these minutes as an Appendix.

A further visit had been received from the DLUCH Rough Sleeper Advisor and the newly appointed Homelessness Advisor on 22 February. They visited the new rough sleeper accommodation at Davis Point in Totton.  The feedback received had been very positive, particularly in relation to the level of support being provided to the residents as well as the quality of accommodation.

Southern Health were to launch a research project into the effectiveness of the Mental Health Practitioner role within the District Council, a grant funded role until March 2025.  The research intended to demonstrate that the role, combined with the partnership working approach helped vulnerable residents, often at an earlier stage and had better outcomes for the residents as well as providing a saving on the public purse.  Through the research it was hoped that a case could be made regarding the value of the post in order to secure long term funding.  It would also provide a model which could be adopted by other authorities.

The Panel were presented with a case study from the Mental Health Practitioner.  The case study highlighted various stages of work, starting with a report of someone in a crisis situation in their accommodation.  The case study included how the needs of the client were safeguarded, the referral process, building relationships with the client and other agencies to ensure that the client had a suitable accommodation pathway.  The Panel noted that settled accommodation had been secured for the client.  The case study was just one example of the 50 cases the Mental Health Practitioner had been involved in.  Further information and statistics were provided within the presentation regarding for example, the fact that 9 hospital admissions had been prevented.  These demonstrated the impact the role had had with better outcomes for the clients, improved relationships with agencies, as well as the early intervention ensuring that the crisis situation did not escalate further, and therefore providing cost savings to the public purse. 

The Panel noted there were two additional fixed term posts in place and a permanent triage officer had recently been recruited.  One of the fixed term positions was still to be filled.

It was reported there was currently one rough sleeper, who continued to refuse any offer of accommodation.  This was the last of the complex cohort of rough sleepers.  However, officers had been successful in accommodating 7 of the 8 over the last 2-3 years.  Tourlands House had so far accommodated 14 residents since opening and 3 of these residents were due to move out soon.  Davis Point had also been occupied by the last few rough sleepers.

The Panel noted that last summer there had been 94 households in emergency accommodation.  The team had worked hard to reduce this and since January 2023 the numbers had reduced from 60 to 49 households.  This consisted of 25 families and 24 single people in emergency accommodation.  It was pleasing to note that 31 households had move on accommodation in place.

There had been a rise in the number of applicants on the housing register since January 2023.  33 applicants had been housed since the beginning of the year to date, of which 4 had been from housing band 1 and 23 band 2.

Members recognised the progress of the work being delivered by housing services, and how the hard work and additional support was enabling better outcomes for residents. 

The Panel asked a number of questions about the Mental Health Practitioner.  It was confirmed this member of staff was supported by Southern Health, with regular meetings with the Head of Nursing, as well as management within the District Council.

Members acknowledged the success of the Mental Health Practitioner but raised concern about resilience within the team when this person was absent.  It was noted that the Mental Health Practitioner had provided training to upskill existing staff, build resilience and to raise standards.  It was also recognised that the relationship with the Community Mental Health Team had improved and hopefully any referrals made by other NFDC staff, would be acted upon more quickly than they had historically.

In recognition of the success of the Mental Health Practitioner, a concern was raised regarding whether other agencies were fulfilling their statutory roles.  In response it was noted agencies do respond and officers of the Council remain insistent that they do so.  The Mental Health Practitioner also ensures that any clients referred to HCC Adult Health and Social Care were followed up.  It was also noted that through the Care Leavers protocol officers work with Hampshire County Council to ensure they follow up and deliver what is required.  DLUCH had been involved in ensuring that HCC has the support required in order to deliver the protocol.  All the work being carried out was to help the District Council deliver its own aims and objectives, which would help the vulnerable and reduce costs to the public purse. 

Members questioned whether housing services work closely with the police.  This was confirmed.  A duty to refer was in place and the District Council had been awarded £180,000 funding over two years to work with 28 ex-offenders, due for release over the next two years.  This was to ensure there was a seamless transition into private rented accommodation.  This grant also included a support worker.