Rough Sleepers Initiative - Outreach
Who is this service for?
Anyone aged over 18, living in (or returning to) Leicestershire or Rutland, who is also rough sleeping or experiencing homelessness.
Any person who is rough sleeping can enter the Rough Sleepers Initiative, if they are in or returning to Leicestershire and Rutland. Our Outreach Officers will aim to meet with the client as soon as possible, to complete an initial assessment.
Clients who are not owed a main duty by the Local Authority and have no other options in terms of accommodation will be supported through the pathway and referred into a short term accommodation project for up to 6 weeks. During this time, long-term accommodation options are explored around the county.
What is it?
The Outreach Team are a dynamic and reactive team which supports individuals who are rough sleeping (who are often vulnerable or have complex needs), in transitioning from homelessness to thriving in safe and secure housing.
The support provided to clients is hugely varied and ranges from firstly engaging with a rough sleeper, assisting them to obtain essential items, for example, food or a sleeping bag, through to supporting them to set up payment plans with previous landlords to increasing an individual’s housing options, and many things in between.
The Rough Sleepers Initiative is set up to focus support upon those who are not owed a duty by the Local Authorities (whether this be because of not meeting the criteria to be deemed as priority need or other circumstances) but who are suffering homelessness, rough sleeping or of No Fixed Abode. There is a variety of reasons why a client may not be owed an accommodation duty. For example:
- They may not be considered to meet the criteria for a priority need under homelessness legislation
- They have become intentionally homeless from their last settled accommodation
We provide holistic support throughout a client's journey through the service, aiming to overcome barriers and address root causes that led to a client's homelessness, often assisting with things like GP appointments.
The service is funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
"Did you know? You can alert us to the location of a rough sleeper via Streetlink.org - our team will then go out to engage with the individual and offer support."
What can we help with?
During daily 6am Outreach sessions, individuals are identified, allowing intensive assessment and support work to be undertaken by the Outreach Team to break the cycle of rough sleeping.
Our holistic approach aims to improve each individual’s general wellbeing, and through regular outreach sessions and close liaison with other key partners, the Outreach Team support clients to access the necessary specialist services to meet their individual housing needs, by exploring temporary housing options, and providing advice and support to address any barriers that impact ones ability to access or sustain accommodation.
In fact, throughout their time with service, the support available is flexible depending on the individuals needs and their journey; individuals with low needs can receive light support, allowing them to maintain a higher level of independence, while individuals with complex needs can receive intensive support with more time spent working with their Outreach Officer. Sometimes lighter contact, like telephone support, is offered when clients are merely waiting for outcomes like Universal Credit.
Why does it matter?
Homelessness can occur for a huge number of reasons - with relationship breakdown being a leading cause, and the cost-of-living crisis throwing more households into crisis. But, regardless of their previous circumstances, once an individual is homeless they are at a higher risk of physical and mental health issues, abuse, and ultimately death.
The Outreach team work hard to build rapport with individuals, listening to their journeys and understanding their issues, to help them overcome both the root causes of their homelessness, and any other issues that may contribute to a cycle of homelessness, so that they can create brighter futures... This can include:
- Addressing ill-health or accessing GP/hospital services
- Referring to specialist support for issues like substance misuse
- Assisting with income and budgeting
- Improving confidence and relationships with organisations and support services
With homelessness consistently rising, offering the right support to individuals to enable long-term change and achieve safe, stable housing is more crucial than ever.
Nobody deserves to be homeless.