Contact, Assessment and Outreach to end rough sleeping

People sleeping rough need services that are not only accessible but proactive in assessing their needs and helping them move off the streets.

Understanding Rough sleeping in your area

Understanding not only the level of rough sleeping in your area, but the needs of the rough sleeping population, is important in designing interventions for this group. The rough sleeping portal page 'Strategy and Partnerships to end rough sleeping' provides information on street counts and other ways of understanding the problem in your area.

Outreach services

Street outreach services engage with rough sleepers directly on the street and work with them to identify appropriate accommodation and work towards moving off the street. Many operate to a 'street rescue' model contacting rough sleepers in response to contact from the public or emergency services. Homeless Link's Street Outreach Handbook and street outreach page provides a full guide to good practice in delivering street outreach services.

Day centres and building-based services

Building based services including day centres can encourage people who sleep rough to engage with services, address immediate needs, and build motivation and skills that can help people move off the street. Homeless Link's Day Centre Handbook  provides detailed good practice guidance. You can also find more information on our day centres webpages.

Enforcement

Enforcement approaches can be used to address antisocial behaviour associated with street activity, and to create new circumstances for people to take up support. Enforcement is controversial but has been identified as effective in some circumstances. Research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in 2007 analysed the impact of enforcement on street activity. Enforcement should be used within a multi-agency approach and always linked to the offer of appropriate and immediately available accommodation and support. More information on enforcement approaches can be found in the Enforcement section of the Street Outreach Handbook.