Reading - key initiatives successfully tackling rough sleeping

Here is a brief outline of some aspects of good practice that is reducing numbers of people rough sleeping in Reading. View an accompanying interview carried out in summer 2010 by Homeless Link with Helen Arnold, Manager of St Mungo’s Street Outreach Team in Reading.

Three key aspects to reducing rough sleeping

• Multi agency approach
• Case management system for all clients
• Focused outreach work

Information gathering and support services

• Weekly reports submitted to local authority with intelligence about people sleeping rough and individual action plans
• Local authority developing mental health and social care pathways for those with high support needs
• Guarantee of initial 6 weeks tenancy sustainment to help housing providers
• Long term support for clients with a history of sleeping rough for 5 years or more

Partnerships and collaboration

Monthly multi-agency meetings held with participants including:

1. Local authority
2. Housing providers
3. Churches in Reading Drop-In Centre (CIRDIC) - Reading’s day centre for homeless people
4. Baker Street Clinic (nurse led clinic for homeless people)
5. Treatment and other agencies in contact with people drug and alcohol problems: KCA, CRI - DAIS, and specialist floating support services, Criminal Justice Intervention Team
6. Police and PCSOs