1. Managing the Homeless Street Community Effectively
ACC Laurence Taylor

2. 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 -

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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

9. Vulnerability - Local Picture
1st Jan 2005 – 31st Jan 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

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. Any Questions ?