Oldham Safeguarding Adults Board have worked closely with Housing Options, Oldham Council, to develop Homelessness Practitioner Guidance. This guidance has been produced within the context of national Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR) recommendations which have highlighted the complexities of achieving effective engagement between practitioners and people experiencing homelessness, where care and support needs may be present. It is aimed at raising awareness of the responsibilities of Oldham’s housing authorities and social housing providers in the context of preventing and relieving homelessness. In particular, this guidance focuses on how partnerships can effectively reduce the risks for any homeless person with a safeguarding need.

This guidance includes:

• The statutory duties Local Authorities have to a person experiencing homelessness
• The needs and risks considered within Homelessness assessments, determining priority need
• Details about working in partnership and when to refer to adult safeguarding
• Guidance on information sharing
• The role of social housing providers in tenancy sustainment and homelessness prevention.

Click on the link or image below to take a look.

OSAB Homelessness Practitioner Guidance.pdf

For health and care professionals, there is an eLearning/training session available from NHS England to support with understanding the health impacts of homelessness, identifying different forms of homelessness, gaining practical steps to making a referral and highlighting ways your organisation can implement the duty effectively: Homelessness eLearning.