Helping Homeless People: Homelessness Monitoring Group Second Report ? April 2005

APPENDIX D - HOMELESSNESS TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS

RAG STATUS REPORT

Code: Red (action required); Amber (ongoing activity in progress); Green (achieved).

RED
Rec. No.	Category	Recommendation
13	Benefits	Information about Operation of Benefits System
22	Prevention; Evictions	Performance Indicator
23	Prevention; Evictions	Illegal Eviction and Harassment
29	Benefits	Housing Benefits for those in Prison
AMBER
Rec. No	Category	Recommendation
3	Legislation	Expansion of Priority Need
4	Legislation	Revision of Intentionality
5	Legislation	Suspension of Local Connection
25	Legislation	Proceedings for Possession
1	Culture and Training	Homeless Peoples Control in Extending their Choices
33	Culture and Training	Promotion of Values and Behaviour
6	Housing Policy	Homelessness Priority in Local Housing Strategies
7	Housing Policy	Lead Tenancies
8	Housing Policy	Availability of Affordable Housing
9	Housing Policy	Rent Guarantee / Deposit Schemes
10	Housing Policy	National Framework for Furnished Tenancies
11	Housing Policy	Number and Quality of Accommodation Offers
12	Housing Policy	Choice Based Letting Schemes
14	Benefits	DWP Review of Benefits
15	Benefits	Single Room Rent
16	Benefits	Local Homelessness Strategies / Housing Benefit Claims
17	Benefits	Benefits Outreach
26-28+30-31	Prevention: High Risk Groups	Looked After Children; Prisons; Patients; ex-service peresonnel
18	Homeless Strategies: Prevention	Local Homelessness Strategies - Risk of Homelessness
19	Homeless Strategies: Prevention	Homelessness Strategies - Services
20	Homeless Strategies: Prevention	Homeless Strategies - Eviction
21	Homeless Strategies: Prevention	Arrears Management and Anti Social Behaviour
32	Homelessness Strategies: Effective Response	Opportunities for Homeless People
34	Homelessness Strategies: Effective Response	Crisis Response Systems
36	Homelessness Strategies: Effective Response	Advocacy Services
37	Homelessness Strategies: Effective Response	Temporary and Supported Accommodation
38	Homelessness Strategies: Effective Response	Strategies - Social Network
39	Homelessness Strategies: Effective Response	Support Packages
40	Homelessness Strategies: Effective Response	Housing for Varying Needs
41	Homelessness Strategies: Effective Response	Domestic Abuse Strategies
57	Homelessness Strategies: Effective Response	Social Networks
35	Homelessness Strategies: Effective Response	Database of Homelessness Services
42	Effective Response: Health	Health and Homelessness Action Plans
43	Effective Response; Health	GP Registration
48	Effective Response: Health	Current Health Networks
44	Effective Response: Health	Service Needs of Homeless People
47	Effective Response: Health	National Drug and Alcohol Plans
45	Effective Response: Health	Health Services for Children
46	Effective Response: Health	Mental Health Services
49	Effective Response: Health	Training
50	Effective Response: Employment	Gateways
51	Effective Response: Employment	Employment Initiatives
52	Effective Response: Employment	Public Sector Work Opportunities
53	Effective Response: Employment	Transitional Employment Programs
54	Effective Response: Employment	New Future Fund
55	Effective Response: Social Networks	Positive Social Interaction
2	Further Analysis and Research	Ethnic Status of Homeless People
GREEN
Rec. No.	Category	Recommendation
24	Legislation	Court Action on Repossession Orders
56	Effective Response Social Networks	National Co-ordination Role
58	Monitoring Group	Monitoring Group
59	Further Analysis and Research	Scottish Household Survey

LEGISLATION (Recommendations 3, 4, 5, 24 and 25)

(3) Expansion of priority need
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contact: Homelessness Team, Scottish Executive
Progress to date: Recommendation has been taken forward into legislation via sections 1, 2 and 3 of the Homelessness etc (Scotland) Act 2003. These sections were commenced in January 2004 via S.S.I. 2003/609. Research commissioned from Tribal HCH on abolition of priority need published March 2005. Local authorities requested to provide information on progress against homelessness strategies and to complete pro-forma relating to current and anticipated future levels of homelessness applications, lettings, support needs and wider housing need. Homelessness Monitoring subgroup on 2012 planning established.
Action required & by whom: Homelessness Monitoring Group to advise Ministers as to content of statement on abolition of priority need to be made by end 2005. Local authorities to complete and submit pro-forma and homelessness strategy updates by May 2005. Ministers to consult on and publish statement by end 2005.
Key Milestones: Publication of Tribal HCH research on abolition of priority need April 2005 Target date for completion of pro-forma: May 2005. Ministerial statement on abolition of priority need - end 2005

(4) Revision to operation of intentionality
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contact: Homelessness Team, Scottish Executive
Progress to date: Recommendation has been taken forward into legislation via sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Homelessness etc (Scotland) Act 2003. Sections not yet commenced. Anti-Social Behaviour Unit at the Scottish Executive has identified funding for "Breaking the Cycle" project and plans to fund 3 or 4 local authorities to participate in intensive intervention and supervision demonstration models for troubled and troublesome families. Applications are currently being assessed. Ann Rosengard Associates have been commissioned to carry out research to inform the implementations of sections 4-6 of the 2003 Act. Intentionality subgroup of the Homelessness Monitoring Group established.
Action required & by whom: HMG to make recommendations as to timetable for implementation of intentionality provisions, informed by outcome of research project and deliberations of subgroup.
Key milestones: Intentionality research to be published -August 2005.

(5) Suspension of local connection
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contact: Homelessness Team, Scottish Executive
Progress to date: Recommendation has been taken forward into legislation via sections 8 of the Homelessness etc (Scotland) Act 2003. Section not yet commenced. Tribal HCH Research regarding methodology for monitoring the effects of modifying local connection rules published in March 2005.
Action required & by whom: Scottish Executive, HMG and Homelessness Stats User Group to consider monitoring systems to support implementation. Scottish Parliament to commence section 8 of the 2003 Act. Scottish Ministers to make statement setting out criteria by reference to which powers under section 8 will be exercised.
Key milestones: Tribal HCH research published April 2005.

(24) Court action on repossession orders
RAG status: Green	Delivery contact: Homelessness Team, Scottish Executive
Progress to date: Recommendation has been taken forward into legislation via section 12 of the Homelessness etc (Scotland) Act 2003. Section 12 commenced July 2004 via S.S.I. 2004/288. Guidance to Sheriff Clerks/Deputes issued by Scottish Court Service in June 2004.
Action required & by whom: Monitoring to be considered by Scottish Executive
Key milestones: Section 12 brought into force July 2004.

(25) Requirement to notify local authority of proceedings for possession.
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contact: Homelessness Team, Scottish Executive
Progress to date: Recommendation has been taken forward into legislation via section 11 of the Homelessness etc (Scotland) Act 2003. Section not yet commenced.
Action required & by whom: Scottish Executive to consult on and develop form of notice and how it is to be given (to be prescribed in Regulations). Scottish Executive to develop guidance on action to be taken by local authorities as a result of notification. Scottish Parliament to commence section 11.
Key milestones: Scottish Executive to consult on section 11 during 2005.

CULTURE & TRAINING (Recommendations 1 & 33)

(1) The objectives of increasing homeless people's control and extending their choices, and achieving the effective participation of people affected by homelessness in the development of future policy, practice and service delivery should be widely promoted and given practical effect in all activities directed at tackling homelessness.
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contacts: SE Homelessness Team, Communities Scotland R&I
Progress to date: Involvement principles have been promoted in all relevant Executive guidance related to homelessness, particularly guidance on local authority homelessness strategies, health and homelessness and the Supporting People programme. The importance of the practical application of these principles has been stressed in feedback on homelessness strategies to local authorities. Communities Scotland inspections have to date found limited use of feedback mechanisms to improve local authority services. Three of councils had developed exit strategies to capture feedback from service users on temporary accommodation and furnished properties; two of these were being implemented actively. One council employs a voluntary sector organisation to work to support service users with mental health problems. The council is using this arrangement to gather feedback from this client group on temporary accommodation and plans to extend this to the development of service standards. HMG has agreed as part of its remit, 'to monitor the level and impact of involvement of people directly affected by homelessness at a local level and within the Monitoring Group'. HMG subgroup on Awareness Raising and Good Practice established.
Action required & by whom: Subgroup on Awareness Raising and Good Practice to consider further work required Importance of involvement will be reinforced further through Communities Scotland inspections/good practice guidance. Revised Code of Guidance on Homelessness to be published by Scottish Executive.
Key milestones: Revised Code of Guidance to be published April/May 2005. Communities Scotland themed report on findings on homelessness in Pathfinder inspections to be published April 2005.

(33) All service providers, statutory and voluntary, should ensure that they are promoting values, attitudes and behaviour which deliver responsive and personalised services. They should ensure that staff are supported and trained in serving people affected by homelessness. Training should cover, as appropriate, the definition of homelessness, risk assessment techniques to help 'first to know' agencies respond effectively, joint working with other agencies, support packages, consultation techniques and how to help and empower people experiencing homelessness to find appropriate solutions. Joint training approaches should be pursued. The training programmes run by Scottish Training on Alcohol and Drug Abuse ( STRADA) partnership should include coverage on serving homeless people.
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contacts: Homelessness Team, Scottish Executive; STRADA
Progress to date: A series of events have been held in order to promote culture change. These have sought to raise awareness, understanding and engagement with the new homelessness agenda. HMG subgroup on Awareness Raising and Good Practice established. STRADA modules have been developed with the Task Force recommendations in mind, e.g. drugs, alcohol and housing. STRADA have trained 230 housing staff in the last 2 years.
Action required & by whom: Subgroup on awareness raising and good practice to consider further work required.
Key milestones To be identified

HOUSING POLICY (Recommendations 6-12)

(6) Guidance on the preparation of local housing strategies under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 should make homelessness a priority, and this should be reflected in the allocation of resources by Scottish Ministers.
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contact: Communities Scotland
Progress to date: Homelessness was identified as a key national housing priority to be addressed in the first round of Local Housing Strategies ( LHS) submissions. All 32 Local Housing Strategies ( LHS) have now been assessed by Communities Scotland; the assessment shows that links with homelessness strategies were generally good. The information contained in LHS, along with a range of other information including research from Heriot-Watt University, has informed the Executive's proposals for investing £1.2 billion in affordable housing over the next three years.
Action required & by whom: See action required for recommendation 3.
Key milestones: Spending Review 2006 Next round of LHS 2009

(7) If current research confirms the usefulness of lead tenancies, this should be actively pursued by Communities Scotland using resources from their development programme.
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contact: Communities Scotland
Progress to date: An independent evaluation, commissioned by the Executive, of past and present Lead Tenancy Schemes (LTS) has been completed.
Action required & by whom: Scottish Executive to discuss findings of evaluation with Communities Scotland.
Key milestones: Evaluation published

(8) Local authorities should assess the local availability of affordable housing for young people seeking their own accommodation for the first time. Housing strategies should include proposals to address any shortfall.
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contact: Communities Scotland
Progress to date: The first round of Local Housing Strategy submissions provide only a partial picture of housing need among young people seeking their own accommodation for the first time (this is because of local variation in the local housing needs assessments undertaken). In their LHS, 15 councils identify a need for affordable housing generally (i.e. not just for young people) while a further 3 are currently undertaking revised local housing needs assessments and have yet to identify the need for affordable housing generally. In 8 of the remaining 14 LHS, evidence suggests that there may nevertheless be local pockets of shortage for affordable housing generally.
Action Required & by whom: See action required for recommendation 3.
Key milestones: Spending Review 2006 Next round of LHS 2009

(9) All local authorities should provide access to rent guarantee / deposit schemes by 2004. The Executive should issue national guidance on such schemes based on lessons learned from local pilots; local authorities should also receive initial funding to enable schemes to be set up.
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contacts: National Rent Deposit Forum
Progress to date: An independent evaluation of rent deposit guarantee schemes in Scotland, commissioned by the Scottish Executive, was published in September 2003 and has been widely disseminated. Lisa Allan appointed in July 2004 as National Rent Deposit Forum Development Officer (Scotland) - funded by the Scottish Executive. Initial audit of schemes by local authority area has revealed all either have a scheme in place or are in the process of developing or redeveloping one. The Development Officer is offering advice and support to the 3 authorities in the process of setting up schemes, and it is anticipated that all authorities will be able to offer access to a scheme by Spring 2005 at latest.
Action required & by whom: NRDF development officer to produce Good Practice Guide.
Key milestones: Survey of schemes completed January 2005 All authorities offering access to a scheme Spring 2005 Good Practice Guide to be published April 2005.

(10) A national framework for furnished tenancies should be drawn up, with appropriate funding, by Communities Scotland. A national furniture grant scheme and furniture re-cycling network should be established. We propose a target of 1,000 additional furnished tenancies a year for 5 years, at which point further need should be assessed.
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contact: Communities Scotland
Progress to date: Grant of £3m per annum over the period 2003-06 has been made available through Communities Scotland to fund achievement of 1302 additional tenancies in 2003/04, 1329 in 2004/05 and 1523 in 2005/06. Communities Scotland has prepared a national framework for furnished tenancies, completed design of the furniture grant scheme and issued guidelines to local authorities. The furnished tenancy scheme is now in its second year and offers of grant have been made to local authorities for the third year of funding. On the basis of feedback, Communities Scotland has made some changes to guidance such as including washing machines amongst the 'essential' electrical goods covered by the grant. The 1,000 tenancies a year target is expected to be achieved during the course of the three year scheme. A national furniture co-ordinator (Linsay Chalmers) was appointed in March 2003 and is developing links between furniture recycling projects and homelessness strategies. A furniture re-cycling website (www.morethanfurniture.com ) was launched early in 2004.) was launched early in 2004. National mapping exercise completed by end of 2004 by national furniture co-ordinator.
Action required & by whom: Communities Scotland to consider recommendations contained in national mapping exercise.
Key milestones: Furnished tenanies scheme in operation 2003/04 Appointment of national furniture co-ordinator March 2003. Furniture re-cycling website launched early 2004 National mapping of furniture re-cycling projects December 2004.

(11) The number and quality of accommodation offers to homelessness applicants should be monitored by Communities Scotland.
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contact: Communities Scotland, R&I
Progress to date: Communities Scotland monitor the number and quality of accommodation offers through their cyclical inspections of local authority homelessness services. Inspections look at the level of allocations to homeless people compared with the level to other applicants and in the context of the number of people applying as homeless and in priority need. Inspections also look at the type of and location of lets. The level of analysis that is possible is largely determined by the quality of information held by each local authority; inspections have found that the collection and use of outcome information was limited. Findings from the five Pathfinder inspections include: two councils found to be treating homeless people to whom they have a duty to provide permanent housing equally with other applicants in the number, quality and location of houses they are offered; one council restricted access to housing for homeless people through the operation of a 1 in 4 quota of all lets (this resulted in lengthy waits for permanent accommodation and long stays in temporary accommodation); one council was found to be failing in its responsibility to provide access to housing for a significant number of people to whom it had a duty to provide permanent accommodation, and had lost track of what had happened to the applicants' and one council makes adequate numbers of permanent lets available but limits choice for homeless people and does not always consider their needs fully.
Action Required & by whom: Scottish Executive and Communities Scotland to collate information collected through data returns and inspections to form picture of trends in the allocation of housing to homeless people. Report to be made to HMG once sufficient data available.
Key Milestones: Inspection regime commenced Communities Scotland themed report on findings on homelessness in Pathfinder inspections to be published April 2005.

(12) Future guidance on choice-based letting schemes should incorporate arrangements to prevent homeless people being disadvantaged.
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contact: SE Affordable housing and housing management team
Progress to date: Communities Scotland and the Executive are aware of the development of Choice Based Letting schemes in Scotland. This was addressed in the Executive's allocations guidance issued in April 2002 which made clear that any allocation system had to reflect statutory requirements to give reasonable preference to homeless applicants. The Executive is engaged in UK research into the longer-term impact of choice based lettings systems which will include examination of two Scottish case studies.
Action required & by whom: The Executive will consider this recommendation further in the light of any representations from landlords and other interested bodies and issues arising from Communities Scotland's regulation and inspection process. It will also take account of the outcome of the research mentioned above.
Key milestones: Allocations guidance issued 2002 UK research to report early 2006.

BENEFITS (Recommendations 13-17 & 29)

(13) The Scottish Executive should pursue with the Department for Work and Pensions how to meet the general need for more information about the operation of the benefits system in Scotland and for research into the impact of benefits policy on homeless people in Scotland.
RAG status: Red	Delivery contact: SE- DD
Progress to date: Executive has liaised with DWP. Following discussions with DWP, the Executive plans to develop a specification of particular research and information interests which the Executive will pursue with the appropriate Divisions of DWP.
Action required & by whom: Scottish Executive to specify research and information interests.
Key milestones: To be identified

(14) The Department for Work and Pensions should be asked (a) to review the adequacy of welfare benefits payable to 16-24 year olds generally and to the young homeless people specifically, (b) to pursue ways of making agencies involved in helping homeless people more aware of the full scope of community care grant provision, (c) to consider making an adjustment to the regulations to permit applications for community care grants to be made prior to the offer of a tenancy, (d) to review whether the overall provision through the Social Fund is helping vulnerable and homeless people in the best way, (e) to consider making homeless people, and people resettling from temporary into permanent accommodation, a priority for funding , and (f) to review non-dependant deductions.
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contacts: (a) Partnership, Inclusion & Unemployment Division, DWP; (b)-(e) LPPD Social Fund Division, DWP; (f) Housing Support Division, DWP
Progress to date: (a) Welfare benefits to 16-24 year olds *Review of financial support for 16-19 year olds published alongside Budget 2004 ( Supporting Young People to Achieve). Report available athttp://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media//981DF/young_people_493.pdf .. (b) Awareness of community care grant provision* Full information on the community grant scheme is available on the DWP intranet; DWP review communication and publicity regularly. (c) Adjustment of community care grant regulations Met. DWP advise there is no requirement that a tenancy must have been granted before a community care grant is awarded, although the decision maker must have evidence of the applicant's future circumstances when determining the nature, extent and urgency of the need being applied for. (d) & (e) Overall provision of Social Fund & prioritising homeless people The needs of the homeless will be factored into ongoing consideration of the Social Fund though specific outcomes can in no way be guaranteed. (f) Non-dependent deductions To date, although no formal review of non-dependent deductions has taken place. DWP is currently looking at the rules for non-dependant deductions with a view to simplifying them. This is part of wider ongoing work to try and simplify the HB/ CTB rules to make them easier to understand, administer and less prone to fraud and error. In the past, changes have been considered but reform is very expensive and other areas have therefore taken priority.
Action required & by whom: (a) Welfare benefits to 16-24 year olds DWP to take forward short to medium term measures recommended by Supporting Young People to Achieve, including: extending income support for 19 year olds to finish their courses; looking at co-working between Jobcentre Plus and Connexions; devising improved information systems for young people and their parents about financial support for 16-19 year olds, including a joint publication with DfES; reviewing guidance and training on Jobseeker's Allowance, severe hardship and estrangement; examining ways of getting best results from partnership working with young people's organisations from the voluntary and community sector; extending the role of the specialist young people's officer. DWP to take forward longer term aim of jointly (with HMT, IR, DfES & the devolved administrations) devising a radically simplified financial support system for 16-19 year olds which will support post-16 choices and transitions; deliver decent minimum income levels; and be accessible. Scottish Executive & HMG to ensure this work takes account of developments in Scotland and the Task Force recommendations. (b) Awareness of community care grant provision Scottish Executive & HMG to consider whether further awareness raising required. (d) & (e) Overall provision of Social Fund & prioritising homeless people DWP to take account of these recommendations in ongoing consideration of reform of the Social Fund. (f) Non-dependent deductions DWP to consider non-dependent deductions as part of ongoing work to simplify Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.
Key milestones: Publication of Supporting Young People to Achieve Report March 2004. UK Government response to views expressed during consultation exercise Budget 2005.

(15) The Scottish Executive should play a full part in monitoring the operation of the broader definition of single room rent and should provide evidence to the DWP of any problems that persist, both in the single room rent arrangements and in the wider measures in place to restrict rents.
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contact: Private Sector Housing Team, Scottish Executive/DWP
Progress to date: 'Pathfinder' projects for the reform of Housing Benefit in the private rented sector are in place and involve the payment of Local Housing Allowance ( LHA) which is a flat rate payment based on the number of occupiers and location rather than the current arrangement of a payment linked to the rent of the individual property. LHA has a shared room rate which is slightly more generous than the single room rent. One Pathfinder project is based in Edinburgh; a project in Argyll & Bute will come on stream shortly. The projects have a two year life and their operation is being monitored by DWP. The Scottish Executive is in discussion with DWP on the use of the LHA approach in the social rented sector. Single room rent is a factor in that context. DWP has carried out research on single room rent to be published shortly. In the longer term DWP are looking at how the policy on the Single Room Rent and shared rate of LHA should be developed.
Action required & by whom: Scottish Executive to maintain contact with DWP on single room rent and feed in evidence where appropriate. Other organisations to feed in evidence to the Executive to support liaison with DWP.
Key milestones: Research on single room rent to be published.

(16) Local authorities' homelessness strategies should be incorporate standards for dealing with housing benefit claims and targets for improvements. Local authorities' performance in delivering these standards and targets should be monitored by Communities Scotland, in collaboration with Audit Scotland, the Department for Work and Pensions and the Benefits Fraud Inspectorate. When housing stock is transferred from a local authority to a registered social landlord, care should be taken to ensure that this does not have any adverse effect on housing benefit administration
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contact: Scottish Executive Homelessness Team, Communities Scotland, Audit Scotland, DWP, Benefits Fraud Inspectorate
Progress to date: The assessment process for homelessness strategies has checked whether standards and targets for dealing with housing benefit claims are incorporated within the strategy. This was a weakness in many of the original strategies and was therefore highlighted in feedback to local authorities, who are now being required to address this. A new performance framework for housing benefits. The ' HB/ CTB Performance Standards', was published in April 2002, to enable local authorities to make a comprehensive self-assessment of whether they deliver benefit effectively and securely. These are the standards the Department for Work and Pensions aspires to and expects local authorities to achieve in time. The average number of days to process a new Housing Benefit claim is Scotland improved by 6 days from 54 days in 2002/3 to 48 days in 2003/4. Processing times for new claims have improved further in the first half of 2004/5, reducing to 46 days. The number of LAs meeting the 36 day Performance Standard for processing new claims reduced from 12 in 2002/3 to 6 in 2003/4. However this figure has increased to 15 over the first half of 2004/5. Statistics showing each Authority's performance is published by the DWP on a quarterly basis.
Action required & by whom: Further monitoring required to ensure that local authorities are setting and meeting appropriate standards and targets.
Key milestones: HB/ CTB Performance Standards published in April 2002

(17) The need for more pro-active benefits outreach and for clear service priorities for at risk / homeless groups should be addressed in the design of the new Jobcentre Plus service
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contact: Jobcentre Plus
Progress to date: Jobcentre Plus is working to reach clients who are at a disadvantage in the labour market. Performance targets for personal advisors in Jobcentre Plus provide incentives for assisting disadvantaged clients. New programmes and services have been introduced targeting specific groups. See also recommendation 50.
Action required & by whom: DWP/Jobcentre Plus to provide further information as to activity underway.
Key milestones: To be identified.

(29) The Department for Work and Pensions should consider granting local authorities discretion to pay housing benefit to those expected to be in prison for more than 3 months.
RAG status: Red	Delivery contact: Housing Support Division, DWP
Progress to date: DWP advise there are no plans to change the current Regulations which limit the period for which benefit can be paid to 13 weeks when a person is in prison.
Action required & by whom: HMG/Scottish Executive to continue to put the case to DWP.
Key milestones: To be identified.

PREVENTION: EVICTIONS (Recommendations 22-23)

(22) The Accounts Commission, Audit Scotland and Communities Scotland, in consultation with local authorities, should review the appropriateness of the "Current tenants' arrears as a percentage of net rent due" Key Performance Indicator to determine whether an alternative approach could assist in reducing homelessness by reducing the number of households evicted for rent arrears.
RAG status: Red	Delivery contact: Communities Scotland, Accounts Commission, Audit Scotland
Progress to date: Audit Scotland has noted the Task Force and Monitoring Group concerns expressed about the existing 'rent arrears' indicator but considers this to be a valid indicator. The Accounts Commission has approved the introduction of a new Statutory Performance Indicator ( SPI) on homelessness for the performance information to be reported by Scottish local authorities in 2003/04. The new SPI is in three parts and aspires to measure levels of assesses homelessness, response timescales (efficiency) and levels of repeat homelessness (effectiveness). Audit Scotland has indicated the first publication of data against the Commission's 2003/04 indicators is expected to be in early 2005.
Action required & by whom: HMG to reconsider recommendation in light of Communities Scotland's evictions in practice study.
Key milestones: Evictions in Practice study published March 2005.

(23) The Scottish Executive should discuss the issue of illegal eviction and harassment with the police, the Crown Office and local authorities.
RAG status: Red	Delivery contact: Private Sector Housing Team, Scottish Executive
Progress to date: Executive has taken steps to focus on the standard of private landlords and the awareness of landlords and tenants. The registration of private landlords was enacted by the Anti-Social Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004. Registration requires the local authority to be satisfied that the landlord is fit and proper to be letting houses, and evidence that the landlord had been illegally evicting or harassing tenants would be significant. A landlord who lets while unregistered (and does not have an application in process) will be committing a criminal offence. The local authority will also be able to apply a cumulative financial penalty by serving a notice that rent liability is suspended, and it is expected that this will be a powerful incentive for landlords to comply with the law and good practice. Executive is running an awareness publicity campaign called Better Renting Scotland which is backed up by a website (www.betterrentingscotland.com ). The site provides access to a full range of information about landlords' and tenants' rights and responsibilities, with a digest of the main points and links to other relevant sites. This will be a long term resource and is intended to complement local efforts by local authorities in connection with HMO licensing, registration and their increasing degree of engagement with private sector housing.). The site provides access to a full range of information about landlords' and tenants' rights and responsibilities, with a digest of the main points and links to other relevant sites. This will be a long term resource and is intended to complement local efforts by local authorities in connection with HMO licensing, registration and their increasing degree of engagement with private sector housing. Initial meeting being sought with ACPOS to discuss issue in light of their experience and of new tools becoming available through the ASB Act. Preliminary information gathering exercise initiated to determine extent of problem and provide a clear basis for discussions.
Action required & by whom: Shelter Scotland to provide initial evidence base. Scottish Executive to take forward discussions as outlined above.
Key milestones: Registration of private landlords to come into effect in November 2005

PREVENTION: HIGH-RISK GROUPS (Recommendations 26-28 & 30-31)

(26) Those responsible for prisoners, looked after children, long stay hospital patients and the armed forces should develop high quality housing and homelessness advice services with support from Communities Scotland. Standards for these advice services should be set and monitored within the appropriate regulatory regime for each type of institution. Local authorities should ensure that appropriate linkages are being made between services in institutions and services in the community.
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contact: Communities Scotland, SPS, SEED, MoD, SEHD
Progress to date: For details on the services being provided please see recommendations 27 (looked after children), 28 (prisons), 30 (armed forces) and 42 (hospital). Communities Scotland Regeneration Division has been working to identify the best way it may support standards in this area. Contact with regulators of these services suggests that support to service providers in identifying their progress against standards will be the most appropriate way to take this forward. For example, contacts between Communities Scotland and the Care Commission as regulators in this area highlighted the regulators interest in a care service where looked after children receive support and a duty to regulate offender accommodation services. The Care Commission uses National Care Standards for Housing Support Services to monitor the quality of housing support services as they describe what individuals can expect from the service provider. Specifically in relation to homelessness however, the Care Commission emphasise that they regulate providers of services and as such do not have influence over the development of services. Communities Scotland has also been involved in exploratory discussions with some local authorities about common assessment procedures on prison discharge and ways in which the agency can support the 'Veteran's Issues' agenda. HomePoint, part of Communities Scotland, provides support and information to advice provider agencies including prisons outreach projects and the armed forces. This support includes the development of a model framework for the provision of user centred advice. The model 'Scottish National Standards and Good Practice Guidance for Housing Information and Advice Services' defines organisational standards for the delivery of an advice service with performance indicators and good practice guidance on meeting them. The model also clearly defines core competence for advisors and the knowledge base they require to advise in the 19 areas of housing law defined by the advice sector. Communities Scotland has become a proactive member of the Scottish Veterans Group as an agency housing support and information provider. Consideration is being given to ways of encouraging adoption of the "Scottish National Standards & Good Practice Guidance from Housing Information and Advice Services" by prison outreach projects, armed forces and other "institutional" organisations.
Action required & by whom:
Communities Scotland to develop further contact with service providers in the relevant areas identified in the recommendation to ensure progress against National Standards. Communities Scotland and Scottish Executive to identify the appropriate role of the agency to further progress the recommendation in context of developments in each policy area (prisons, looked after children, etc). For specific actions relating to the different client groups see the recommendations referred to above.
Key milestones: To be identified.

(27) The statutory obligation to provide aftercare should extend to all children who have spent 6 months or more in the care of the local authority between their twelfth birthday and school leaving age. All looked after children should receive appropriate housing advice, including advice on what to do in a crisis, before leaving care. The Looked After Children assessment and action records should be revised to check that this advice has been given and understood, and that future housing intentions are sustainable. Regular checks should be made on the housing circumstances of those leaving care for a period of at least 2 years. Contingency arrangements should be in place for dealing with emergencies or near emergencies and the careleaver should be aware of them. There should be a standard national form for recording the initial and subsequent housing locations of care leavers for at least 2 years after leaving care. Local authorities' homelessness strategies should seek to identify measures which can be taken, in the light of our comments, to reduce the risk of homelessness among those with a care background.
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contact: SEED: Looked After Children & Youthwork
Progress to date: Regulations and Guidance on Supporting Young People Ceasing to be looked after came into force on 1 April 2004. Regulations state that the young people's assessments and plans must set out what kind of accommodation best meets the needs of the young person and how this is to be obtained. Assessment materials to enable authorities to undertake this were sent to all authorities in April 2004 and training has been provided by the Executive on the Regulations during January - March 04. Statistics are collected yearly on the destination and accommodation arrangements of those leaving care over school age, including number of moves and periods of homelessness. In addition the Audit Commission will have a statutory performance indicator which will require authorities to track and keep in touch with young people leaving care over school age up to the age of 19, and up to 21 for those for whom the authority continues to provide a service. The Executive's working group on throughcare and aftercare of looked after young people has advised that the recommendation to provide aftercare to a much wider range of formerly looked after children would raise a number of practical and financial issues, and may not be feasible. The working group were of the opinion that the new Regulations would be challenging and would need time to bed in before thought could be given to widening the age range. A meeting of Lead Implementation Officers, officers from each local authority who are charged with implementing the Regulation on 22 February confirmed view of working group (above). Strategies assessment process includes check as to whether vulnerable groups are adequately catered for.
Action required & by whom: Local authorities to comply with statutory duties by completing assessment and ensuring access to appropriate housing. Scottish Executive to monitor implementation of Regulations by holding seminar early 2005 and by collecting monitoring data from authorities Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum to run a website providing policy and practice information and support authorities and voluntary organisations working with looked after young people (training, conferences, regional groups).
Key milestones: Regulations coming into force April 2004. Seminar to be held early 2005.

(28) On completion of the forthcoming evaluation, housing advice services currently provided in prisons should be put on a permanent footing.
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contact: SPS, Scottish Executive Homelessness Team, Communities Scotland
Progress to date: Research published in September 2004. All prisons now have housing advice services in place, most of these services being delivered through Links Centres, and discussions have commenced between Scottish Executive, SPS and Communities Scotland about how these services can be put on a permanent footing. Agreement has been reached that a seminar should be organised to discuss this matter with all relevant partners including housing providers.
Action required & by whom: SPS/Scottish Executive/Communities Scotland/Local Authorities to organise a seminar in HMP Edinburgh to plan a permanent future for these services. Agreement will be required on how to take the services forward taking into account the Criminal Justice Plan.
Key milestones: Seminar in HMP Edinburgh June 2005 Agreement on way forward July 2005

(30) In preparing their homelessness strategies, local authorities should take full account of the needs of those leaving the armed forces and their spouses or partners. Guidance for local authorities should stress that people due to leave the armed forces should be classified as threatened with homelessness where their licence to occupy service accommodation is due to expire and they have no other accommodation. Local authorities and other bodies which may come into contact with people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, should have procedures in place to identify ex-servicemen/women amongst this group and to signpost the assistance available to them. Following evaluation the Ministry of Defence should extend the SPACES project to parts of Scotland where there are significant numbers of accessible contact points providing resettlement advice and assistance to those who have left the services.

RAG status: Amber

Delivery contact: MoD

Progress to date:

Strategies assessment process includes check as to whether vulnerable groups are adequately catered for.

Veterans Scotland has expressed interest in improving and coordinating their support for homeless ex-Service personnel. MOD recommend that an action group, based on the successful model of the Ex-Services Action Group ( ESAG) in London, should be formed.
Feasibility study to develop methods for assessing the nature, costs and extent of rough sleeping and homelessness amongst ex-service personnel was completed in September 2004. The Advisory Board for the study, on which the Scottish Executive is represented, is now considering the best way to take forward further studies, which will focus on informing policy and improving service provision.
MOD's SPACES project staff have been briefed on new Scottish legislation and policy and are able to tailor services accordingly for those resettling in Scotland. MoD has no plans to locate a SPACES project in Scotland, it will remain in Catterick as a focal point for all single Service leavers, wherever they wish to live in the UK.
MOD has established supports at pre-discharge and point of discharge. These provide housing advice and accommodation placement for Service leavers and short-term supported accommodation for those identified at risk of homelessness immediately after leaving the Armed Forces. The Early Leavers Policy was introduced in April 2004, providing resettlement advice and sign-posting for Service leavers who are not entitled to the full Armed Forces resettlement package. As part of this new policy, MOD staff seek to identify those at risk of homelessness and refer them to specialised assistance. In April 2004, the Joint Service Housing Advice Office took on additional staff whose role is to educate Service personnel on the need to make civilian housing provision at an earlier stage in their career.
A project has commenced in MOD that involves Prison In-Reach to ex-Service personnel. Ex-Service organisations are able to provide assistance to ex-Service prisoners to help them resettle in civilian life after release. In addition, ex-Service organisations are also able to provide support for families of ex-Service prisoners. The work will include raising awareness among prison resettlement services of the additional assistance provided by veterans organisations. The current focus of the Prison In-Reach group is for England and Wales but contact has been made with the Scottish Prison Service and it is hoped that the project can be replicated in Scotland.

Action required & by whom:

Revised Code of Guidance to be issued April/May 2005.
MoD is in discussion with Veterans Scotland with a view to establishing an Ex-Services Action Group, based on the London model, in Scotland.

A raising awareness symposium, sponsored by MoD, to be held in Edinburgh on 12 April 2005. Representatives from the Scottish Executive, ex-Service organisations, Citizens Advice Scotland, CoSLA, Scottish Prison Service, JobCentrePlus and voluntary sector organisations.

Key milestones:

Symposium to be held April 2005.

(31) Asylum seekers granted leave to remain in the UK should be offered alternative accommodation if they do not wish to stay in the accommodation funded under NASS arrangements.
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contact: SE Homelessness Team
Progress to date: Section 7 of the Homelessness etc (Scotland) Act 2003 ensures that homelessness applicants will not be deemed to have formed a local connection with a local authority merely because they were housed in NASS accommodation there. This will allow these applicants to apply to another local authority for assistance under the homelessness legislation if they so wish. Communities Scotland are checking the quality of accommodation offered to, and secured for, all homeless people as part of the inspection process (see recommendation 11)
Action required & by whom: Continued monitoring required. Revised Code of Guidance to be issued in April/May 2005 by Scottish Executive.
Key milestones: Inspection regime commenced Section 7 commenced January 2004

HOMELESSNESS STRATEGIES: PREVENTION (Recommendations 18-21)

(18) Local homelessness strategies should review and, as necessary, make proposals for improvements in (1) the arrangements for early identification of those getting into housing difficulties, (2) the advice and support available for those getting into difficulties, (3) the advice and support available for those known to be at particular risk of homelessness and (4) the provision of leaving home and housing education in schools and other youth services. Strategies should take account of the differing and specific needs of families and single people living in urban and rural areas. They should ensure that they take account of the needs of people of differing age, race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, and belief.
(19) Homelessness strategies should review the availability, accessibility and quality of services such as relationship counselling/mediation, financial/debt advice, drug/alcohol counselling, advocacy and proactive action to manage neighbour disputes and tackle harassment. Local authorities should act proactively to ensure that those at greater risk of homelessness are made aware of the support available, and are helped to access this support.
(20) Homelessness strategies should provide for specific, concentrated support programmes for those threatened with eviction. These programmes should include the provision of access to independent advice and representation.
(21) Local authorities should review their policies for arrears management and anti-social behaviour to ensure that they do not lead to unnecessary or avoidable homelessness. Other social landlords should be asked to conduct similar reviews as part of their contribution to local homelessness strategies.
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contact: Scottish Executive (Homelessness Team) Communities Scotland
Progress to date: Section 1 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 requires local authorities to prepare homelessness strategies. The planning and delivery of homelessness strategies with partner agencies should respond to recommendations 18, 19, 20 and 21. Executive guidance to local authorities on the preparation of homelessness strategies was issued in March 2002. This highlighted all Task Force recommendations, but particularly those aimed at local authorities. All local authorities have prepared homelessness strategies for their areas. These were submitted to the Scottish Executive in early 2003. The strategies have been assessed by a cross-sector Panel established by HMG, chaired by the Executive and with representatives from CoSLA, Communities Scotland, the voluntary sector and the health sector. The Panel worked to an assessment system agreed by HMG, based on a framework shared with all local authorities in 2002. Detailed written feedback from the Panel was provided to all authorities to help them evolve the most effective strategies possible for their area. The assessment process is nearing its final stages: 31 authorities have received feedback on the second draft of their strategy. Communities Scotland is taking account of the content of strategies and the response of councils to the feedback when carrying out its inspection function. Local authorities have been asked to report progress against their homelessness strategies in 2003/04 by end April 2005.
Action required & by whom: Local authorities to provide update on progress by end April 2005. 2012 planning subgroup/Scottish Executive to consider information provided by local authorities. Local authorities to continue to develop services as strategies implemented and reviewed. Scottish Executive/Communities Scotland to ensure robust monitoring systems in place.
Key milestones: Guidance on preparation of homelessness strategies issued by Executive March 2002 Strategies submitted to Executive Spring 2003 Feedback provided to authorities Winter 2003 Assessment of strategies completed Winter 2004-05 LAs to report progress against homelessness strategies April 2005 Communities Scotland themed report on findings on homelessness in Pathfinder inspections to be published April 2005.

HOMELESSNESS STRATEGIES: EFFECTIVE RESPONSE (Recommendations 32, 34-41 & 57)

(32) Local authorities, through their homelessness strategies, should provide the direction and create the framework within which all agencies join up to bring together a range of accessible options that open up genuine opportunities for homeless people.
(34) Local authorities should establish crisis response systems which are flexible and provide individualised responses; ensure that all those without accommodation are able to access at least immediate emergency accommodation until appropriate assessment is carried out; are permanently available and accessible and perform a triage function; include joint protocols and procedures for needs assessment to ensure appropriate support for people with complex or multiple needs; have effective referral arrangements in place; ensure that explicit exit strategies are devised; and monitor and evaluate the outcomes of resettlement services and adjust and improve provision wherever appropriate. The effectiveness of these systems should be subject to inspection by Communities Scotland.
(36) Local authorities should give priority to ensuring the availability of independent and informed advocacy services within their area and ensure that these services are well published. Advice and information should be made available in forms which are accessible by people of all ethnic groups and of all abilities
(37) Local authorities should plan the delivery of a sufficient supply, range and location of temporary and supported accommodation. Provision should be made for the (sometimes very different) needs families, young people and groups who currently find it difficult to access or sustain any form of accommodation. Large-scale hostels should be replaced by alternative provision. Homelessness strategies should include proposals to reduce the use of Bed & Breakfast to a minimum, and to eliminate its use for families.
(38) Homeless people should, wherever possible, be located in a community in which they feel comfortable and are likely to be fully integrated into community life. Wherever possible they should have the opportunity to live near friends and family and their workplace/school or higher/further education institution.
(39) Local authorities should ensure that appropriate support packages are available for homeless people during their resettlement.
(40) Local authorities should plan the provision of barrier-free housing for varying needs and respond quickly to requirements for adaptations to housing stock which will prevent the occupier from becoming homeless.
(41) Local authorities' homelessness strategies should be dovetailed with domestic abuse strategies. In drawing up their homelessness strategies, local authorities should review the information and advice available to those who are, or may become, homeless as a result of domestic abuse, the availability of safe emergency supported accommodation, the availability of suitable long-term accommodation and support packages, and the extent to which local arrangements recognise the needs of children. Homelessness strategies should address the needs of all those who are or may become homeless as a result if domestic abuse, including young people and older people.
(57) Local authorities, through their homelessness strategies, should develop practical means of enabling people affected by homelessness to (re)-build social networks. This may involve the use of new independent services or a review, with Social Inclusion Partnerships, of current practice.
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contact: Homelessness Team, SE; Communities Scotland
Progress to date: As per recommendations 18-21
Action required & by whom: As per recommendations 18-21
Key milestones: As per recommendations 18-21

(35) The Executive should provide advice on the development of crisis response services and a national database and web-site of homelessness services should be established.
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contact: Scottish Executive (Homelessness Team)
Progress to date: Executive guidance issued in March 2002 on the preparation of homelessness strategies included coverage of crisis response services. Where it is considered such services need strengthened to meet the Task Force's concept, this has been highlighted to relevant Councils in strategies feedback. Future advice on such services will be derived from positive practice identified over time by Communities Scotland.
Action required & by whom: Executive to take forward establishment of a national database and website of homelessness services. Local authorities to continue to develop crisis response systems as strategies are implemented and reviewed.
Key milestones: Scottish Executive guidance on crisis response systems issued March 2002.

EFFECTIVE RESPONSE: HEALTH (Recommendations 42-49)

(42) A high priority should be placed upon monitoring of quality and delivery of Health and Homelessness Action Plans. The Health Department's Primary Care Modernisation Group should set out how primary care needs of homeless people would best be met.
(48) In the case of primary care services, specialist provision should be seen as transitional for all but a small number of homeless people. It should provide planned support over a reasonable period of time until individuals are re-housed and settled with access to their local GP practice and primary health care team. The general approach should be to support homeless people to maintain their current health networks or to establish new regular contact with mainstream health services.
RAG status: Green	Delivery contact: Health & Homelessness Co-ordinator, SE
Progress to date: This year has seen good progress in the delivery of Health and Homelessness Action Plans. All NHS Boards are actively working towards the aims and objectives set locally and progress has been monitored by the Health and Homelessness Steering Group. We have seen the emergence of more effective partnership working linking the NHS to Local Authorities and the voluntary sector alongside more creative approaches to improving the health of homeless people. Some of the initiatives arising from Action Plans include joint training, hospital discharge protocols to prevent homelessness, service user involvement, health improvement initiatives such as healthy eating programmes, and many examples of awareness raising in local areas. However a potential risk for the future is the proposed changes to the NHS Scotland Performance Assessment Framework which is currently used as the key monitoring tool for health and homelessness activity. It is vital that changes to the PAF do not down-grade the delivery of Health and Homelessness Action Plans. An opportunity however is presented by the publication of the Health and Homelessness Standards to raise the overall standard of health and homelessness planning. 48. The specialist health services which have developed across Scotland have this recommendation at the heart of their ethos and service delivery. All services are fully aware of the need to have in-built mechanisms for moving homeless people on into mainstream health care and all are well placed to support this process.
Action required & by whom: Scottish Executive Health Department to monitor the delivery of Health and Homelessness Action Plans.
Key milestones: Health and Homelessness Standards published March 2005.

(43) All local authorities should record information about the GP registration of all those who register as homeless, and should offer information about local health services to homeless people rehoused outwith their existing GP area.
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contact: Scottish Executive, Communities Scotland
Progress to date: The assessment of Homelessness Strategies provided an opportunity to monitor this recommendation. At the time of submitting the first draft Strategies it was clear that few Local Authorities had actioned the recommendation. However this omission was fed back to the relevant Local Authorities as part of their overall feedback from the SE, so progress in delivery will be monitored as Homelessness Strategies are reviewed and updated.
Action required & by whom: Scottish Executive/Communities Scotland to monitor as strategies are reviewed and updated.
Key milestones: To be identified

(44) NHS Boards should ensure their strategic planning embraces the current and future service needs of homeless people. Drug and Alcohol Teams should include, in their planning priorities, the service requirements of homeless people relating to substance misuse. Monitoring of the effectiveness of such processes should be undertaken through the Scottish Executive's assessment of Local Health Plans and Corporate Action Plans on Substance Misuse.
(47) Actions within the national drugs and alcohol plans which will prevent addictions contributing to homelessness and which will tackle substance misuse amongst homeless people should be given high priority. The recommendations of the Glasgow Street Homelessness Team in relation to the development and provision of drug and alcohol services to hostel dwellers should be more widely applied. Local action to tackle substance misuse and homelessness in parallel should be developed through homelessness strategies and Drug and Alcohol Action Team plans. The results of Scottish Executive work on effective interventions in tackling substance misuse should be disseminated to support commissioners and purchasers of services and service providers in both homelessness and drugs and alcohol agencies.
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contact: SEHD: Primary Care/Health Improvement
Progress to date: Strategic links are developing well in most areas ensuring that the needs of homeless people are reflected in a wide range of appropriate strategies including mental health, children's' services plans, and domestic abuse. This read-across to different planning frameworks is crucial to successfully mainstreaming the complex needs of homeless people into the NHS, hence this is an area that has been closely monitored by the Health and Homelessness Steering Group. However links with drug and alcohol planning have been more problematic. The revised Corporate Action Plan issued by the SEHD in 2004 contained no mention of homelessness, which was a matter of some concern for the Health and Homelessness Steering Group. As a result of these concerns Drug and Alcohol Action Teams were asked to report back to the SEHD on three specific issues: What specific action is being taken to address the substance misuse related aims of the NHS Board's Health and Homelessness Action Plan; Please provide evidence of action taken to fulfil the substance misuse recommendations of the Homelessness Task Force; How does the DAAT contribute to the Health and Homelessness Action Plan. The review of returns from DAATs highlighted very poor links between drug and alcohol planning and homelessness. In response the SEHD held a one day conference in March 05 for those involved in substance misuse and homelessness planning to begin to improve links. It is too early to measure the effectiveness of this, hence this is an issue the HMG will wish to monitor in the coming year.

Action required & by whom:

Scottish Executive Health Department to monitor the links between substance misuse and homelessness planning.

Key milestones:

To be identified

(45) NHS Boards should ensure that all children in homeless families are able to access the full range of universal health services for children; and the health and homelessness Co-ordinator should monitor this action.
(46) NHS Boards should assess the provision of mental health services to homeless people to minimise the barriers to access. Being free from substance-misuse should not be an automatic pre-condition for access to services.
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contact: SEHD: Primary Care/Health Improvement
Progress to date: 45: The needs of children are reflected in NHS Boards' Health and Homelessness Action Plans. Feedback suggests that in most areas children are able to access and use the necessary health services, but risks still exist where families are moving around in temporary accommodation. In order to support NHS Boards, and other organisations, in their response to homeless families in 2004 NHS Health Scotland and the SEHD commissioned research into the support needs of homeless families. Initial findings were presented at the SCSH annual conference in November 2004 and the full findings will be disseminated shortly by NHS Health Scotland. 46: This recommendation was the subject of a workshop at the Health and Homelessness Conference 2004, organised by SCSH and the SEHD. However progress in delivering this recommendation is still patchy but should improve through the delivery of the Health and Homelessness Standards which specifically flag up these issues. It will be important therefore that this particular requirement of the Standards is closely monitored.
Action required & by whom: Delivery of the Health and Homelessness Standards to be monitored by the Scottish Executive Health Department.
Key milestones: Health and Homelessness Standards published March 2005. Publication of research into support needs of homeless families.

(49) The Health and Homelessness Co-ordinator, whose remit includes setting standards for homelessness training programmes, should support training on homelessness for health professionals and ancillary staff.
RAG status: Green	Delivery contact: SEHD: Primary Care/Health Improvement
Progress to date: Training programmes are being run by many NHS Boards, in partnership with Local Authorities and the voluntary sector. In addition the Health and Homelessness Co-ordinator spoke at a wide range of conferences and also supported NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Dumfries and Galloway, Orkney and Western Isles in their local awareness raising events. NHS Fife and Fife Council have developed a particularly useful training programme based on four modules, run three times on a locality basis, which encourages multi-agency networks to develop between staff. Informed by a needs assessment, the modules cover: Maximising your potential - a personal development opportunity for staff, looking at motivation, self-awareness and self-management techniques. Mental health - including reviewing attitudes, presenting symptoms and behaviours, management strategies and local NHS services. Substance misuse - including drug use and its effects, the law, tenancy agreements/policies, dealing with aggression and local services. Health and Homelessness - a concluding module on partnership working for homelessness, community planning, health and homelessness/ sustainable tenancies and reflective learning. Each programme has twenty participants drawn from housing, the Fife Local Office network, criminal justice, primary care services and voluntary sector projects. Trainers are almost all local professionals with training expertise. In this way costs are minimised and the local perspective is maintained. In order to promote this approach the Fife model is included in the Health and Homelessness Standards as an example of good practice. The Standards also place requirements on NHS Boards to ensure that all front line staff have the competencies required to work effectively with homeless people. The roll-out of such training programmes should support culture change not only for the health sector but also for Local Authorities.
Action required & by whom: Delivery of the Health and Homelessness Standards to be monitored by the SEHD.
Key milestones: Health and Homelessness Standards published March 2005.

EFFECTIVE RESPONSE: EMPLOYMENT (Recommendations 50-54)

(50) Jobcentre Plus should, as a key priority, improve gateways for homeless people to access mainstream employment services and programmes. This should include systematic skills auditing of homeless people, ensuring easy access to employment services for homeless people and linking relevant employment initiatives to establish coherent systems for individual progression.
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contact: Jobcentre Plus Scotland
Progress to date: Since April 2004, there has been a common list of circumstances which entitle volunteers to early access to New Deal services. Homeless people (including Rough Sleepers) can gain early access to New Deal regardless of age of length of unemployment. Progress2Work LinkUp is now available in Glasgow District, as well as in the Tayside part of Jobcentre Plus Grampian and Tayside District and the Fife part of Forth Valley and Fife District. Progress2Work LinkUp extends the help available to recovering drug users to other disadvantaged groups - homeless people, ex-offenders and recovering alcoholics. The pilot New Futures Fund Protocol on Joint Working with Scottish Enterprise in Glasgow and Dumfries & Galloway has been evaluated. A copy of the evaluation and a letter has been sent to Jobcentre Plus District Managers to make them aware of the Protocol and to encourage them to adopt similar practices. DWP published 'Building on the New Deal' in May 2004 - this sets out the Government's aim to ensure that barriers to work are tackled, particularly for those people who have not been given sufficient opportunities to access work-focussed support in the past. It also sets out the principle of greater empowerment and flexibility for local Jobcentre Plus staff, so that they can tailor provision to individual clients needs, within a clear framework of national standards.
Action required & by whom: Scottish Executive/HMG to continue to monitor progress. DWP/Jobcentre Plus to take forward approach to Building on the New Deal.
Key milestones: Building on the New Deal published May 2004.

(51) Jobcentre Plus should work with the Scottish Executive and the Scottish New Deal Task Force to engage employers to develop employment initiatives targeted at vulnerable and homeless people. This should include wider employer participation in relevant transitional employment programmes for homeless people. Jobcentre Plus should examine ways of supporting employers who are willing to participate in initiatives to employ homeless people, particularly smaller employers who lack the resources of the large corporate organisations. Appropriate business networks should be enlisted to promote such initiatives.
RAG status: AMBER	Delivery contact: Jobcentre Plus Scotland, SE: ETTLD/Transitions to Work, SE: DD Social Inclusion; Welfare to Work Taskforce
Progress to date: Jobcentre Plus Employer Services Directorate ( ESD) focuses on the importance of having an effective relationship with the employers who use their services. ESD Employer Diversity Manager for Scotland has been involved in setting up a Business Action on Homelessness initiative with Scottish Business in the Community (funded by the Scottish Executive). Royal Mail, Marsh, Marks & Spencer, John Lewis, Bright House Stores, Scottish Gas, Scottish Power, Greggs, GIST are taking part in this. 45 of placements through programme as of 21 ^st Feb 2005 60% of whom were in full time employment as a result. In recognition of the particular challenges faced by small and medium sized employers ( SMEs), Jobcentre Plus ESD has introduced a Scottish SME Channel Manager who works collaboratively with Districts and partners to provide a consistent service to SMEs. Several other projects aiming to engage employers to develop initiatives being considered for central Scottish Executive funding. Scottish Homelessness and Employability Network established to bring together employers, voluntary sector agencies, local authorities and other statutory bodies. Scottish Executive developing Employability Framework as an opportunity for Scottish Ministers to drive forward action on the devolved areas of employability in Scotland, and to have a closely informed influence on the direction of UK policies and programmes on benefits and Welfare to Work.
Action required & by whom: Scottish Business in the Community to publicise Business Action on Homelessness programme, set up steering group of business leaders to champion the programme, organise 'seeing is believing tours' Scottish Executive and partners to ensure that this recommendation reflected in the development of the Employability Framework New Partnership Accord to be agreed between the key stakeholders - Scottish Executive, Job Centre Plus, CoSLA and Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Communities Scotland and NHS Scotland
Key milestones: Employability Framework to be published later in 2005.

(52) Public sector employees should also examine ways of creating and expanding work opportunities for homeless people. New public sector initiatives should strive to employ homeless people in the provision of their services.
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contact: SE Social Inclusion Division
Progress to date: Closing the Opportunity Gap target set as "Public sector and large employers to tackle aspects of in-work poverty by providing employees with the opportunity to develop skills and progress in their career. NHSScotland will set an example by providing 1000 job opportunities, with support for training and progression once in post, between 2004 and 2006 to people who are currently economically inactive or unemployed." DWP/ Jobcentre Plus is in discussion with COSLA and the Local Authorities to agree a Partnership Accord. This will be the basis for improved collaborative working with the priority of " helping the hardest to reach into work".
Action required & by whom: SEHD/ SEDD to ensure that homeless people included in activity to meet target. Identify activity being carried out by other public sector agencies. Scottish Business in the Community to consider applying their model to other public sector agencies (as employers).
Key milestones: Closing the Opportunity Gap target to be met by 2006.

(53) Transitional employment programmes should be piloted in Scotland to test the creation of new incentives to work for homeless people. Such pilots should test how flexibility around housing benefit payments could overcome the poverty trap faced by homeless people when trying to access employment. The Department for Work and Pensions should aim to develop and test in 2002 a pilot scheme with The Big Issue in Scotland. If the Department for Work and Pensions is unable to overcome impediments in Social Security legislation which may prevent potentially effective schemes, UK Ministers should consider amending the relevant legislation to remove these hurdles.
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contact: DWP
Progress to date: In April 2004, DWP introduced a number of measures to improve work incentives for HB recipients by: treating the move into work as a change of circumstances for most recipients. This removed the need for these people to reclaim benefit when they take a job. In most cases this should ensure that benefit payments continue without a break where claimants are entitled to in-work support; applying the 30-hour disregard in HB and Council Tax Benefit ( CTB) to those working between 16 and 29 hours per week. extending the HB run-on to people receiving Incapacity Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance (previously went only to people in receipt of Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance). The run-on involves paying HB at the "out of work" rate for the first four weeks of employment. DWP also believe that the Local Housing Allowance will also encourage work readiness as for the first time, tenants in the private rented sector will know in advance how much they will receive towards housing costs and this greater certainty will help people make the move from benefits into work and will make it easier for Jobcentre Plus Personal Advisers to calculate how much better off claimants will be in work. They also believe that payment to the tenant rather than to the landlord, and encouraging people to use direct debits for rent payments, will also prepare tenants for the world of work, where income comes from a variety of sources and people otherwise find themselves responsible for managing their finances to pay their rent for the first time when they move into work. DWP have introduced 9 Pathfinders of the flat rate Local Housing Allowance ( LHA) - they came on stream between November 2003 and February 2004 - to test out paying an amount to tenants that is based on household size and locations for those living in the private sector. A further 9 local authorities are due to implement LHA in the period April to July 2005. DWP five year strategy reiterated commitment to improve the benefits system to provide the right incentives, for example reforming Housing Benefit to empower individuals, and improve work incentives.
Action required & by whom: Scottish Executive/ HMG to continue to monitor progress.
Key milestones: DWP five year strategy published February 2005.

(54) A clear action plan should be developed to use the results of the ongoing evaluation of New Future Fund services to transfer successful service elements onto a permanent footing over the next 3 years. If proved successful, the relevance of the Routeways initiative and other similar approaches should be considered for application in Scotland.

RAG status: Amber

Delivery contact: Scottish Enterprise/Scottish Executive ( ETLLD)

Progress to date:

The New Futures Advisory Management Group and Scottish Enterprise have developed a Mainstreaming Action Plan. The plan has three key elements: working with the Key Policy/Funders group to explore options for mainstreaming; incremental work to progress mainstreaming with individual agencies and organisations throughout Scotland; and exploring structural options for fitting the New Futures ethos and activities into existing and developing policy structures.
Mainstreaming, within a NFF context, was defined with a range of relevant stakeholders as either buying in services, or adapting their current provision to meet the needs of the NFF type client group. A number of projects have secured "in principle" agreements that their activities are being mainstreamed beyond 2005 by, for example, local authorities and health trusts. Others have secured short term funding, of between one to three years that will ensure the service can be delivered beyond NFF funding. Within mainstream organisations, the application of lessons learnt has already begun, for example in Scottish Enterprise's Get Ready for Work initiative for young people, which has incorporated lifeskills support as a direct result NFF experience.
To date, of the 62 live projects, 14 have secured mainstream/alternative sources of funding and there are a number of examples of where NFF has influenced and informed policy and practice. Whilst a number of barriers to mainstreaming progress have been identified, in broad terms the policy environment has become more supportive of the type of approach developed and delivered by NFF.
Scottish Enterprise has also been working with other mainstream services e.g Local Authorities, Jobcentre Plus, Careers Scotland , Communities Scotland and various Scottish Executive Departments, which are also including employability as part of their approach on the back of NFF lessons; and with all local authorities to show them how lessons learnt can assist them in development and delivery of their Homelessness Strategies. In terms of local authority homelessness services, Scottish Enterprise report that interest has been variable and recognising the relevance to their organisation has been mixed.
NFF was due to complete in March 2005,as an interim measure Ministers agreed to fund all projects that had not secured alternative funding for an initial 3 month period , with the prospect of full year funding depending on performance to date.

Action required & by whom:

Ensure development of the Employability Framework reflects the need to continue to embed employability in mainstream services.
Clear strategic guidance to be produced for Housing/Homelessness officers, endorsing practice and the tools developed within NFF.

Key milestones:

Final Evaluation Report to be published in March 2005
Dissemination event of Evaluation findings targeted at Policy Makers/Funders in April 2005.

EFFECTIVE RESPONSE: SOCIAL NETWORKS (Recommendations 55 & 56)

(55) The strength of a homeless person's social networks should be an integral part of the assessment of their needs and of the support offered to them in temporary accommodation and during permanent resettlement. All projects serving homeless people should pursue strategies to promote and support opportunities for positive social interaction.
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contact: Homelessness Team, SE	Update contact: Carole Barker-Munro
Progress to date: Executive is aware of a number of projects building a social interaction approach into their work. Work of Scottish Social Networks Co-ordinator will help raise awareness of importance of social networks (see recommendation 56).
Action required & by whom: Scottish Executive to include guidance to local authorities on importance of social networks in Code of Guidance on Homelessness. Scottish Social Networks Co-ordinator to continue to raise awareness
Key milestones: To be identified.

(56) A national co-ordination role should be created to build and co-ordinate local mediation, befriending and mentoring services for homeless people across Scotland. This role would also evaluate existing projects, disseminate good practice and facilitate information sharing.
RAG status: Green	Delivery contact: Scottish Social Networks Co-ordinator
Progress to date: Lesley Stenhouse appointed as Scottish Social Networks Co-ordinator in August 2004. Lesley has publicised her role through circulation of a factsheet and introductory contact with a range of organisations. The Reference Group (including representatives from the Scottish Executive, Communities Scotland, the Scottish Mediation Network, Befriending Network Scotland, Scottish Mentoring Network, Scottish Churches Housing Action, South Ayrshire Council, the Ark Trust and the Rock Trust) had its initial meeting on 11 ^th November 2004 and communication strategy and work plan have been agreed and are being implemented. Awareness raising of: the importance of Social Networks in combating homelessness; the role mentoring, befriending and mediation can play in developing Social Networks: and the forum to support the development of services has continued through presentations, articles and visits.
Action required & by whom: Scottish Social Networks Co-ordinator to take forward work plan including: raising awareness of Scottish Social Networks Forum and of befriending, mediation and mentoring services; mapping provision of services and dissemination of good practice and case studies; creation of Reference Group to assist development of work plan; and development of electronic communication system.
Key milestones: Appointment of Lesley Stenhouse -August 2004 First meeting of Reference Group -November 2004 Seminar/roadshow Spring 2005 Electronic communication system Summer 2005

MONITORING GROUP (Recommendation 58)

(58) A monitoring group should be set up to take forward the action programme. The group should play particular (but not exclusive) attention to movement in the number of households applying under the homelessness legislation; the number of households assessed as homeless; the proportion of homeless households placed directly into permanent accommodation; the number of households experiencing repeat homelessness; the number of homeless households - particularly families with children - in Bed & Breakfast; time spent in Bed & Breakfast; time taken by local authority to deal with cases, and customer satisfaction indices.
RAG status:	Delivery contact:	Update contact:
Progress to date: Monitoring Group established in 2002. First annual report published in January 2004. Homelessness Monitoring Group subgroups on 2012 planning, awareness raising and good practice and intentionality established Spring 2005.
Action required & by whom: Monitoring Group and subgroup members to fulfil remits Scottish Executive to provide secretariat support
Key milestones: First annual report published January 2004 Second annual report published April 2005

FURTHER ANALYSIS AND RESEARCH (Recommendations 2 & 59)

(2) Information on ethnic status of homeless people should be analysed to assess whether any additional actions, focusing specifically on people from black and minority ethnic communities, are required. This should be complemented by a more qualitative study of the experience of homelessness amongst Scotland's black and minority ethnic communities.
RAG status: Amber	Delivery contact: Scottish Executive (Homelessness Team)
Progress to date: An independent study commissioned by the Executive to examine the use and provision of homelessness services in Scotland by black and ethnic minority communities was published in early 2004. The study includes refugees and gypsy/travellers and is available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/cru/resfinds/drf184-00.asp.
Action required & by whom: Executive to progress follow-up research to identify implications for best practice. Executive to update Code of Guidance to reflect outcomes of research projects. Other organisations to consider implications of research findings.
Key milestones: Publication of Black and Minority Ethnic Communities and Homelessness in Scotland Spring 2004

(59) An expanded suite of questions relating to homelessness should be included in the Scottish Household Survey from 2003.
RAG status: Green	Delivery contact: SHS Co-ordinator, SE	Update contact: Carole Barker-Munro
Progress to date: An expanded suite of questions on homelessness was included in the Scottish Household Survey ( SHS) Questionnaire 2003/04. The additional questions will help address information gaps identified by the Task Force by providing a wider understanding in the future of homelessness trends and hidden homelessness. The first full year of data (2003 data) from these questions was published in August 2004. The questions will appear in the SHS in 2005/06; their inclusion in questionnaires beyond this date will be assessed in mid 2006.
Action required & by whom: Scottish Executive to undertake extended analysis of the first full year of data and report findings to HMG. Scottish Executive to make case for continued inclusion of homelessness questions, format of questions and usefulness of data analysis to date.
Key milestones: Publication of first full year of data from expanded suite of homelessness questions August 2004 Analysis of SHS homelessness findings November 2004 SHS Questionnaire review Mid-2006 Publication of second full year of data (2004) and full 2003-2004 sweep of data August 2005

Page updated: Tuesday, April 05, 2005

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