Newcastle upon Tyne - key initiatives successfully tackling rough sleeping

Here is a brief outline of some key aspects of recent initiatives to reduce numbers of people rough sleeping in Newcastle upon Tyne. View an accompanying interview carried out by Homeless Link in summer 2010 with Gemma Shiel, Temporary Accommodation Manager at Newcastle City Council.

Strategy and commissioning

  • Overarching strategy to tackle social exclusion, including rough sleeping, with clear co-ordinated approach 
  • Council Leader and senior council staff support strategic approach
  • Prevention prioritised with a move away from just crisis response services 
  • Agreed verification process and gathering of empirical evidence on number of people, their support needs and services provided
  • Tackling repeat homelessness
  • Contracting and commissioning which evaluates if support needs are met, and if not, why.

Services

  • Outreach team takes targeted approach and includes ex-service users involved in its development
  • Quick response, early intervention and prolonged contact
  • Better use of accommodation options and services already provided 
  • Focus on improving quality of services
  • Employment, education and training oppportunities
  • Evictions and abandonments from hostels tackled
  • Multiple needs and long term drug and alcohol issues recognised
  • Targeted approach of treatment agencies, with focus on sustainability and long term outcomes
  • Culture of challenging behaviour and non-engagement of some clients addressed whilst not excluding people from services

Case Management System

  • Weekly meetings (representatives from the voluntary sector, police, drug and alcohol services, adult services, housing services) dealing with 10-14 people each week
  • People at risk of sleeping rough like those individuals coming out of prison or at risk of losing their accommodation
  • Identified clients and agreed action plans
  • Clients’ cases monitored from beginning to end
  • Caters for complex cases working with the Primary Care Trust

 The Case Management System includes 7 types of partner agencies:

  • Outreach team
  • 3 day centres
  • Accommodation providers
  • 2 drug and alcohol services
  • City centre police
  • Representation from the Community Safety Unit
  • Street pastors (Salvation Army)

Further information

Newcastle City Council is a Rough Sleeping Champion.