Managing the Homeless Street Community Effectively ACC Laurence Taylor

Strategic Review Considerations Need for transformational change Strategic and operational commitment of all agencies involved Consideration of health and accommodation issues National Decision Model Sussex Police and West Sussex County Council identified need for transformational change – services need to be readily accessible by all providers 2) The protection of vulnerable people with multiple and complex needs requires the strategic and operational commitment of all agencies involved 3) Health and accommodation issues require consideration at the earliest stage – offending and behavioural patterns cannot be addressed without change and lifestyle stability 4) National Decision Model – provides mechanism to deliver change strategically and operationally Your points -

Agency definitions of homelessness Chronic Homelessness Hidden Homeless Rough Sleepers Street Community Your notes – Whatever the terminology the xxxx are largely the same People we come across in the street could be our xxxxx Each definition can cross over into the others

Agency definitions of homelessness Chronic Homelessness Repeatedly homeless Movement between streets, squats, shelters and sofa surfing. Likely history of continuous childhood trauma. Many parents with no contact with children. Likely history of offending Self medication with drugs and alcohol Your notes Likely history of continuous childhood trauma. – witnesses, Vulnerable Likely history of offending – Due to circumstance and background

Agency definitions of homelessness Hidden Homeless Living outside mainstream housing provision – not identified in formal statistics. Squats, tents, caravans, sofa surfing and rough sleeping. Significant overlap with chronic homelessness with prevalence of offending behaviour and substance misuse.

Agency definitions of homelessness Rough Sleepers Open air sleepers – tents, doorways, parks, bus shelters, stairwells or disused buildings. Numbers formally estimated or surveyed by local authorities. All lack formal shelter and reside in locations completely unsuitable for human habitation. Form distinct sub group of chronic homeless people.

Agency definitions of homelessness Street Community Members spend significant time on the streets or other public areas. May or may not have accommodation. Likely to have substance misuse and/or mental health issue and/or chaotic offending and lifestyle history. Impact on public services through offending and behavioural traits. Street Community 800+ across Sussex Members spend significant time on the streets or other public areas – social element/street drinking/more visible in Summer

Vulnerability - National Picture Some Key Statistics You Choose…. 98% of 452 service users experienced homelessness (77% slept rough at some point) 70% reported substance abuse 60% experienced street culture activities 62% had been in institutional care 43% had been a victim of violent crime incl DV 38% attempted suicide 30% engaged in self harm 29% admitted to hospital through mental health issues 36% removed from family home by parents/carers 46% sentenced to imprisonment or YOI 27% charged with violent criminal offence

Vulnerability - Local Picture 1st Jan 2005 – 31st Jan 2014 - 12 murders or manslaughters of street community members in Sussex, all victims aged between 34 and 46 All victims well known to statutory agencies and services 10 male and 2 female victims 10 victims alcohol dependent 8 victims using drugs, typically heroin, but in combination with cannabis and other stimulant drugs All victims subjected to extremely violent assaults All victims well known to statutory agencies and services – SCR Missed Opportunity

Vulnerability - Local Picture Sussex Police strategic assessments from 2012, 2013 & 2014 estimates there are approximately 800 street community members 149 people included within formal Sussex 2014 rough sleeper count. In 2015 there was a 30% increase 10,680 incidents attributed to street community between 2010 and 2012 Street community members include rough sleepers, chaotic offenders and street drinkers

Impact on Public Services – Local Picture Worthing – 39 members of the street community arrested on 237 occasions in 12 month period (Jan – Dec 2015). Arrest costs £395,316 (MOJ estimated value £1,668 per arrest) Crawley – 16 members of the street community arrested on 472 occasions in 12 month period Arrest costs £787,296 Eastbourne – 17 members of the street community visited A&E on 44 occasions 2013/14, an average of 2.59 visits each Nationally, homeless people visit A&E 1.68 times a year and the general population 0.38 times.

Partnership Decision Model The THRIVE model detailed below is a fundamental element of the Partnership Decision Model. THRIVE: Supporting service delivery, based on Threat, Harm, Risk, Investigative opportunity, vulnerability and engagement. Threat A person likely to cause danger or damage. Harm If the threat is carried out or the circumstances of the incident deteriorates, what is the likely level of harm caused? Risk The possibility of something occurring. What is the likelihood that the threat or harm will occur? Working Together Problem Solve, Reduce Harm….. Working together Problem solving, reducing harm…. Investigation Is there a need for an investigation and if so in what form? Vulnerability A person is vulnerable if as a result of their situation or circumstances, they are unable to take care or protect themselves, or others, from harm or exploitation. Engagement Decision on how requirements are resourced.

Any Questions ?