Day Services are often the first, and sometimes only, port of call for people experiencing homelessness, multiple disadvantage and acute crisis. They deliver an incredibly wide range of vital work and yet they do not always have the status that they deserve within local homelessness provision.

This page and the Day Services Principles publication seek to support the development of and make the case for Day Services. They contain the core principles required for designing and delivering effective Day Services in England.

The principles were co-created with 40 Day Service workers, sector professionals and experts by experience from 30 different services across all regions of England in partnership with Expert Link and Housing Justice.

How do we know this approach works?

If you would like to read more about these principles including the research evidence that demonstrates how and why this approach is effective at ending homelessness, then please download the full Day Service Principles publication below.

"When we started our Day Service we had 2 words that one of our guests was asking for and they were purpose and belonging...everything we did we tried to focus on those two words".
Angie Allgood, NewWay

The principles

These eight principles can be used to demonstrate the critical role and value of Day Services which undertake an enormous breadth of crucial work with limited resources and capacity.

They set out the range of components needed for excellent delivery. They can be used by Day Services to reflect on their existing work and identify areas for development and improvement. They can also be used by new services to guide their approach to service design.

Click on the principles in the menu to read more about how you can apply these within your service and download the graphic and the full publication below.

Principle 1: Provide accessible, trusted and welcoming spaces

This means Day Services...

  • are based in locations that facilitate access for people experiencing homelessness.
  • promote awareness of their service throughout the community to ensure they are available to the full range of people who may need them.
  • are often (but not always) open access spaces that can be attended by a wide range of people at consistent times.
  • provide welcoming, non-judgmental and inclusive spaces where people feel safe to talk and engage.
  • provide a sense of community and belonging to those who attend.
  • have an awareness of groups that may be under-represented in the service, account for diversity of experience and take steps to be inclusive in the service offer.
  • aim to provide high quality spaces that are designed to be trauma-aware and are physically and psychologically safe.
  • are available to those who need to return to prevent re-occurring homelessness and isolation.

Principle 2: Prioritise relationships and apply person-centred, trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches

This means Day Services...

  • prioritise building trusting relationships as the primary mechanism for engagement among people with experience of trauma, exclusion or multiple disadvantage.
  • aim to ensure that people feel respected, valued, trusted and listened to.
  • aim to provide a consistent and warm environment.
  • work to create physical and psychological safety.
  • apply trauma-informed approaches to reduce re-traumatisation and increase emotional safety.
  • work in a person-centred and strengths-based way to support individuals to identify their strengths and goals and ensure they are active participants in determining the support they need.
  • actively seek to create environments that reduce bars and exclusions.

Principle 3: Alleviate and prevent crisis through timely interventions

This means Day Services:

  • rapidly assess people’s wants and needs either informally in conversation or formally using set procedures.
  • meet essential and immediate needs including provision of food, showers and clean clothes or connection to other agencies that provide these.
  • aim to respond quickly and effectively to crisis and emerging needs.
  • have clear pathways for linking people to emergency housing as well as providing connection to urgent health, mental health, substance use, financial and other support.

Principle 4: Broker access to a full range of agencies to enable people to move beyond homelessness

This means Day Services...

  • facilitate access to a full range of support, both by delivering provision directly in-house and connecting people with partner agencies.
  • bring multiple agencies together in one location for example by:
    • acting as a hub
    • providing one-stop shops
    • providing private spaces where other agencies can meet people on site.
  • deliver service provision in a way that is accessible to people experiencing homelessness and multiple disadvantage for example by:
    • hosting agencies within the Day Service as a trusted space
    • accompanying people to appointments to support the development of trusting relationships with other agencies
    • providing ‘navigation’ services to support relationships with other agencies.
  • take a holistic approach balancing the complexity of interrelated and concurrent needs.
  • develop outstanding partnerships with other agencies to facilitate access for people experiencing homelessness. This involves:
    • developing positive working relationships with other professionals
    • hosting professionals from other agencies, services and sectors
    • engaging in clear communication with other agencies
    • establishing formal agreements and information sharing protocols where necessary
    • developing clear referral routes into other agencies.
  • are embedded within a network of organisations that are working together to end rough sleeping and other forms of homelessness.
  • have a thorough understanding of the wider system and factors that impact and alleviate homelessness and multiple disadvantage.
  • prevent re-occurring homelessness by providing opportunities to re-connect with support and follow-up contact with past attendees where possible.
This is all about relationship building and holding relationships together. We provide space for lots of work to happen ; Holding that place within a town centre is one of the key things that Day Services do.
Tim Renshaw, the Archer Project

Principle 5: Are places of progression that build confidence, self-esteem and self-efficacy

This means Day Services:

  • have a clear intention to be places of progression where people can move on from homelessness and towards independent and fulfilled lives.
  • provide positive, active spaces that reduce social isolation and create a sense of connection and belonging.
  • build self-esteem and empower people with the knowledge and tools to self-advocate and live independently.
  • deliver a range of activities to build confidence and enable people to explore strengths and interests.
  • encourage people to engage in activities within the local community where appropriate.
  • encourage the development of positive social relationships and connections that support people as they move beyond crisis and homelessness.
  • support people to move on from the service if and when appropriate whilst providing an ongoing offer of support as needed.

Principle 6: Prioritise involvement and co-production

This means Day Services...

  • ensure that people have a voice within the service and are treated as equal partners.
  • encourage people to feel a sense of ownership over the service and the organisation.
  • provide opportunities for formal and informal volunteering with routes into employment where possible.
  • engage with peer mentoring schemes where available.
  • take opportunities to involve people accessing the service and others with lived experience in the planning and delivery of the organisation.

Principle 7: Continually reflect, review and develop

This means Day Services:

  • collect relevant data and measure outcomes to understand how the service can develop, evolve and improve.
  • understand emerging needs within the local area to ensure that the service adapts and delivers appropriate provision.
  • regularly review the approach and service offer including through feedback from staff, volunteers and those accessing services.
  • prioritise reflection, learning and development to ensure they are spaces of best practice.

Principle 8: Focus on the safety, wellbeing and development of staff and volunteers

This means Day Services:

  • work to ensure the physical and emotional safety of staff and volunteers in the service.
  • recognise the impact of working in a high pressure environment and focus on maintaining the wellbeing of staff, volunteers and all who access the service.
  • have a robust induction process in place including core training, to ensure staff and volunteers feel confident to do their job well.
  • maintain a focus on ongoing staff training and development.
  • ensure that staff have access to regular supervision, reflective practice and debrief as well as emotional and mental health support as needed.
  • ensure there is a diversity of knowledge and experience amongst staff teams, including people with direct experience of homelessness.

Further resources

Download the principles poster and access our related webpages for Day Services.

Talk To Us

6M5A8473

Vicky Album

National Practice Development Project Manager