Rough Sleeping Estimates 2020 Completing your snapshot Tasmin - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Rough Sleeping Estimates 2020 Completing your snapshot Tasmin Maitland and Bianca Claydon Homeless Link Let’s end homelessness together www.homeless.org.uk

Definition of rough sleeping People sleeping, about to bed down (sitting on/in or standing next to their bedding) or actually bedded down in the open air (such as on the streets, in tents, doorways, parks, bus shelters or encampments). People in buildings or other places not designed for habitation (such as stairwells, barns, sheds, car parks, cars, derelict boats, stations, or “bashes”). Let’s end homelessness together www.homeless.org.uk

Who isn’t included in the definition of rough sleeping? People who are:  in hostels, shelters, squats, campsites, Traveller sites, organised protest sites  sofa surfing  sleeping on public transport  sleeping in locations not visible during a count-based estimate  known to sleep rough sometimes, but not seen/known to have bedded down on that night The purpose is to record a single night snapshot. Not all forms of homelessness are included. Not every individual seen by services during Oct-Nov will be included. Let’s end homelessness together www.homeless.org.uk

Choosing your approach There are 3 approaches to choose from. Each approach is a snapshot and will not record everyone in the area with a history of rough sleeping during October – November. The choice depends on the local context of rough sleeping. All areas, including RSI funded areas, can choose from any of the three approaches:  Count-based estimate  Evidence-based estimate  Evidence-based estimate, including a spotlight count Let’s end homelessness together www.homeless.org.uk

Working with partner agencies Who to include? • Advice agencies • Outreach teams • Housing associations • Hostels, day centres, night shelters • Social Services, Youth Workers • Housing department • Probation • Police • Health and mental health services • Community safety teams • Refuse collectors, town centre / local • Park rangers retail security/management, street • Faith groups, soup runs, wardens street pastors Where the approach involves no independent partners , or only those that are part of / commissioned by the local authority, Homeless Link will not be able to verify the process. Let’s end homelessness together www.homeless.org.uk

Verification  Homeless Link arranges a Verifier in person or by phone  Verifiers are either staff, associates, or volunteers  All Verifiers are trained by us  Verifiers follow a code of conduct – see Resources for Verifiers  Verification forms are available online for information only  Observers only  Verifier back at the count base first  Don’t submit to DELTA until you have received a verification form from Homeless Link  DELTA submissions must match the data on the verification form Let’s end homelessness together www.homeless.org.uk

Top tips  Always use format “night of (x) into morning of (x)” to avoid confusion  If you have any questions about the process or think there might be disagreements among local partners, talk to Homeless Link – verifiers@homelesslink.org.uk  Only include data/evidence from the ‘typical’ night chosen  Choose a date in the Oct-Nov window  Communicate with your Verifier and Homeless Link in advance  Ensure relevant data sharing protocols are in place to allow information & intelligence to be shared Let’s end homelessness together www.homeless.org.uk

Top tips  Consider starting later (e.g. 2am) in areas with busy night time economy  Always refer people back to the definition of rough sleeping  Communicate with Homeless Link if any issues arise (including severe weather, local lockdowns etc ) as this will affect your ‘typical’ night  Decline requests from local media to join the count. No film crews or photographers on the count.  Read the latest Government advice on COVID-19 and follow this Let’s end homelessness together www.homeless.org.uk

Let’s end homelessness together www.homeless.org.uk

Count-based estimate September  Local Authority appoints a Coordinator  Allow at least 6 weeks to plan the count  Liaise with partners and neighbouring Local Authorities  Set date of the count – Only share on a ‘need to know’ basis. Choose ‘typical night’ between 1 st Oct - 30 th Nov Avoid disruption e.g. festivals, busy Friday nights, sporting events, charity sleep-outs that might affect rough sleeping  Email Homeless Link to confirm the date and arrange a Verifier: verifiers@homelesslink.org.uk  Set up a DELTA account for submitting your data or check you have access to your account Let’s end homelessness together www.homeless.org.uk

Count-based estimate September  Make contingency plans in case the count is unable to go ahead due to anything related to COVID-19  Ask for volunteer counters – outreach, police, park rangers, voluntary sector, council staff  Map local area , work with outreach or other intelligence to identify hotspots and where count teams will go on the night  Identify issues with access (e.g. parks, stairwells, car parks) and ask police, park rangers, security firms etc for access during the count  Agree Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) contingency plan if in force on the night of the count e.g. re-schedule or submit an estimate Let’s end homelessness together www.homeless.org.uk

Count-based estimate Two weeks before  Confirm Homeless Link verifier and local counters , get contact details, addresses and plan travel arrangements – Ensure counters have a suitable face covering when travelling in a taxi.  Send ‘Briefing for Street Count Team and Volunteers’ to each counter with instructions on where to meet, timing of the count and what transport will be arranged  Contact Verifier to talk through plan for the count  Notify police of the count  Agree a plan for people found sleeping rough on the night e.g. access to a hub, night shelter, B&B, or other emergency accommodation Let’s end homelessness together www.homeless.org.uk

Count-based estimate Week of the count  Check local restrictions and contact Homeless Link and the Homeless Link verifier immediately if your area is on the list as the count will not be able to go ahead  Book taxis to/from the count as needed for safety of all participants  Print a map for each count team showing their count area and hotspots  Prepare kit for counters e.g. torch and mobile phone, alarms and reflective jackets/armbands if using, face coverings, and hand sanitiser  Produce packs for counters : map, pens, definition of rough sleeping, H&S checklist, Rough Sleeping Count Forms, ID letter, any relevant local services info, language chart, data protection statement Let’s end homelessness together www.homeless.org.uk

Count-based estimate Week of the count  Assign counting teams – Use smaller counting teams (2-3 people) in order to follow social distancing .  Assign the Verifier to the team that will return first  At least one mobile team to respond to issues arising during the count e.g. to take a rough sleeper to assessment/shelter  Assign at least one person to remain at the count base (usually the Coordinator) to respond to queries and check in with teams.  Ensure all counters are familiar with the social distancing and self isolation guidance prior to the count. Individuals should not attend the count if they display any COVID-19 symptoms. Let’s end homelessness together www.homeless.org.uk

Count-based estimate Night of the count  Check availability of emergency accommodation/assessment hubs  Talk with the Verifier to run through plan for the night – rather than this person this will be more suitable over the phone due to COVID-19  Ensure each counting team has a pack, torch and mobile phone  Deliver the health & safety briefing for Counters and introduce the Verifier The safety briefing is crucial : take your time, answer questions  Discuss any COVID-19 related adjustments with everyone involved in the count and ensure that COVID-19 risk management actions are explained  Agree check-in times with teams during the count Let’s end homelessness together www.homeless.org.uk

Count-based estimate Night of the count  Each returning team shows their Count Form to the Verifier before you collect it  Agree demographic data (including unknowns) and a final figure with the Verifier once all teams have returned#  Check that everyone has a safe route home  Verifier sends the Count Verification Form to Homeless Link the next working day for review, Bianca then sends it to the local authority for DELTA submission Local Authority is responsible for submitting their data to MHCLG using the DELTA online system no later than 11 th December 2020 and after they have received the reviewed verification form from verifiers@homelesslink.org.uk Let’s end homelessness together www.homeless.org.uk

Let’s end homelessness together www.homeless.org.uk