To receive an update on Homelessness, including an introduction to the work of the new Support Officers (including a Case Study).
Minutes:
An update was provided to the Panel on staffing which supported the Council’s homeless services:
A new Private Sector Liaison officer, Emilie Dyke had just started. Her role was to develop relationships with the private sector, in particular with estate agents and landlords, establish a new Landlord’s Forum, and to identify any HMOs which would require a licence. It was considered that any improvement in the Council’s relationship with the private sector would encourage landlords to rent their properties to homeless households. This work was in alignment with the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy and the Housing Strategy.
A new Tenancy Support Worker, Jaimie Otterwell was due to take up his position in October. Jamie would provide support to Council Tenants to resolve rent arrears, assist with debt management, benefit matters and ensure that people had access to other services.
The work of the business support team and rent income team was outlined. It was anticipated that there would be more multiskilling for members of staff. Improvements would be made to the housing software, which would allow officers to offer more support to prevent rent arrears. It was also reported that all new tenants would receive a visit within the first 14 days of the tenancy to carry out a full financial assessment, and that any notice of intention to seek possession would be served in person with an offer of support.
Three new support officers had been appointed with £55,000 grant funding from the Government and by utilising other resources arising from efficiencies focusing on rough sleepers.
· Rough Sleeper Outreach Worker;
· Supported Letting Worker;
· Homelessness Prevention Support Officer.
The supported Lettings Worker presented three case studies to the Panel which showed the very real and tangible benefits that were being demonstrated by assessing the most vulnerable in our communities.
The first client had been placed in temporary accommodation with serious alcohol addiction and debts. The debt issue was addressed, for example, a fine had been received from another local authority for littering. The local authority had been contacted, the client’s situation was explained and the fine was waived. Other assistance was given which enabled him to be involved in the community, become more independent and therefore increase his confidence and feeling of self-worth.
The second client had learning difficulties and was supported in Temporary Accommodation. Fraudulent activity had been identified with her bank account due to a family member setting up direct debits. Officers worked with the client and family member and the direct debits were stopped. The client has since been educated on the importance of regularly checking her bank account.
The third client was a vulnerable lady where a direct debit had been set up with a phone provider which included broadband, however the client did not have a phone line and therefore had been mis-sold the product. Contact was made with the provider who agreed the product had been mis-sold and cancelled the service and waived the cancellation fee.
The Panel were impressed with the support provided to these clients and recognised how this level of service, which had never been provided before, had changed the lives of these people.
Pentagon Court, 6 units of temporary accommodation was on its 14th resident since opening in May, showing that accommodation pathways were now in place.
Members asked about the lone working and safeguarding policy for staff, particularly in relation to the new Rough Sleeper Support Worker. It was reported that the risks were thoroughly assessed and that the officer was aware of these. In her previous employment she had worked on her own for four years. The Council’s lone working policy system would make contact if she had not rung in after a certain period of time. Appointments with clients would be held in public places. The Panel were assured that sufficient measures were in place to safeguard lone working members of staff.