Support for Day Centres

Homeless Link’s Day Centres Project offers direct support to at least 25 day centres each year

Day centres in each of Homeless Link’s nine English regions will be supported.

Who can get direct support?
Day centres that meet one or more of the following criteria can request support:

  • Seeking to improve service delivery, for example by developing:
    - structured engagement
    - client casework
    - outcomes recording
    - volunteer roles
    - client involvement
    - engagement with complex needs
    - policy and procedure
     
  • Looking to develop relationships with other agencies, for example:
    - local authority links and participation in local homelessness forums
    - joint working arrangements with local partners
    - access to other services for clients e.g. healthcare
     
  • Based in an area where there is a significant rough sleeping issue and where the day centre has a strategically important role to play in ending rough sleeping locally (for instance, the service represents the only day provision in the area)
     
  • Coping with large numbers of rough sleepers who are destitute such as migrants.

What does direct support include?
Support will be tailored to the needs of each day centre. Areas for advice and support include: service provision; funding; staff and volunteer supervision and training; governance issues; outcome measurement and monitoring; reviewing the service’s aims and objectives; and meaningful activities such as arts and sports.

The Day Centres Specialist will meet with key staff, complete a written needs assessment and action plan where appropriate, and provide follow up support by phone, email or in person.

Training bursaries are available as part of the direct support offer.

Who decides which day centres get support?
The Day Centres Specialist will make a decision on the basis of the above criteria and in consultation with Homeless Link’s regional managers. Day centres that are under-developed or isolated in comparison with the rest of the sector will be given priority.

How do I request direct support?
Please email tasmin.maitland@homelesslink.org.uk explaining briefly how your day centre meets the criteria and any particular areas for support that you have identified.  

If you have any questions about Homeless Link’s support to day centres please call 020 7840 4451.

How do I apply for a training bursary?
Applications for training bursaries are currently open to all homeless day centres in England. The deadline is 31st May 2012. Please refer to the brief guidance and application form.