Homeless - guidance
Guidance sections provide a space for resources that help convert principles or policy into action. The resources are listed alphabetically by author/issuing body and then by date.
You might also like to refer to the policy and agencies and communities sections for further information on homeless people.
Some of the resources below are in PDF format - see how to access PDF files.
Charities Evaluation Services (2003) Managing outcomes a guide for homelessness organisations
This guide is designed to support homelessness agencies to integrate outcome management into their day-to-day work and build on the effectiveness of their services.
Communities and Local Government (2006) Hospital admission and discharge: people who are homeless or living in temporary or insecure accommodation
This guidance document, issued jointly with the Department of Health, aims to support hospitals, Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), local authorities and the voluntary sector working in partnership to develop an effective admission and discharge protocol for people who are homeless or living in temporary or insecure accommodation. The overarching aim is to ensure that no one is discharged from hospital to the streets or inappropriate accommodation.
Communities and Local Government (2005) Tackling homelessness amongst ethnic minority households - a development guide
This guide aims to assist local authorities and their partner agencies in the development of inclusive, evidence-based and cost-effective homelessness services for their local ethnic minority populations. This document is related to the ODPM-commissioned research on the causes of homelessness amongst ethnic minority populations.
Council for the Homeless (2008) A guide to publications on homelessness in Northern Ireland (PDF 486.50KB)
Brings together the main sources of current and relevant information for those working in the field of homelessness across Northern Ireland providing information related to research, legislation and practice in the field. It is intended to be an evolving document and will be regularly updated.
DH Care Networks: Housing Learning and Improvement Network (LIN): Homelessness
This section within the Housing Learning and Improving Network area focuses on a number of specific topics which include mental health and homelessness and older people and homelessness.
There is also a section on health and rough sleeping which provides resources to support action 5 of the report 'No one left out: communities ending rough sleeping' published by HM Government in November 2008. Action 5 is about "Improving access to health and social care services for people with multiple needs who are sleeping rough or are in hostels". See Housing Learning and Improving Network: Health.
Homeless Link (2012) Improving hospital admission and discharge for people who are homeless (PDF 1.38MB)
This report, produced jointly with St Mungo’s, draws together the direct experiences of clients and staff to provide an updated national picture of hospital admission and discharge practice for people who are homeless. Although effective processes have been developed many homeless patients interviewed for this study were discharged straight back to the streets often without housing or underlying health problems being addressed and resulting in readmission. The report makes recommendations at national and local level. It highlights a number of initiatives that have worked well and provides a template for the hospital and discharge pathway.
From hospital to home: steps for hospital staff – identify need and take action (PDF 89.9KB)
Homeless Link (2011) Adopting the No Second Night Out standard
This guide has been developed to support local authorities and voluntary sector services in developing a service along the lines of the London No Second Night Out project. It is based on learning from the project which aims to ensure that a rapid response is provided for those who find themselves sleeping rough in London for the first time need not spend a second night on the streets. The guidance is organised around five principles: new rough sleepers can be identified and helped off the streets immediately; the public can alert services if they see anyone sleeping rough so they get help; rough sleepers can go to a place of safety, where their needs can be assessed and they can get help; rough sleepers are able to get emergency accommodation and other services they need; and rough sleepers from outside the area can be reconnected with their community, where they can be near family and friends, and can get housing and support.
Housing rights information
This website provided by the Chartered Institute of Housing aims to provide accurate information to recent arrivals and to advisers about entitlements to housing, based on people’s immigration status. The information is organised according to category of new arrival. Categories include refugees, people with social care needs and people fleeing domestic violence. The information provided covers England and Wales but separate pages for Scotland are also included.
Joseph Rowntree Foundation (2008) Findings: Youth homelessness in the UK
These findings are based on a study, which is the first UK wide review of youth homelessness for a decade, exploring the effectiveness of recent policy developments on tackling youth homelessness.
The full report (PDF 3.69KB) by Deborah Quilgars et al is also made available by the Joseph Rowntree website.
The London Pathway
The London Pathway is described as a model of integrated, person-centred healthcare for homeless people; an organisation to develop and champion health services for the homeless within the NHS; a network of support for healthcare workers engaging with homeless people. The pathway has been established as a charity in order to share the model, and offer training and support to healthcare practitioners. The Pathway is based on a set of fundamental values which are described in the website. Documentation including standards for commissioners and service providers can be downloaded from the publications section of the website. The Pathway is demonstrated in action by a team dedicated to the care of homeless people at University College Hospital – see Helping the homeless.
NHS Confederation (2012) Mental health and homelessness: planning and delivering mental health services for homeless people
This briefing sets out the policy context and examines what considerations need to be made when planning, designing and delivering mental health services for homeless people. It also highlights examples of good practice. See also the NHS Confederation publication Housing and mental health.
Northern Ireland Housing Executive (2006) Housing, health and well-being: innovation, practice and partnerships (PDF 1.9MB)
This charts the progress made against the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's health and housing strategy and action plan. It highlights what has worked well and showcases examples of innovative practice.
Public Health Wales (2012) Update of the rapid evidence review on improving access to health interventions for young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
This review was undertaken to support the development of good practice guidance on access to health intervnetions for young people who are homeless or who are at risk of homelessness. This updates the review completed in December 2010. Evidence suggests that homeless young people are more likely to use accident and emergency services or to be admitted to hospital than their housed peers, and that they need more help to access appropriate services. See also News: Young homeless people need greater support in accessing health services.
Queen’s Nursing Institute (2010) Improving healthcare for homeless people
This resource was initially designed to meet the overall goals of the Homeless Health Initiative (HHI) piloted by the QNI from 2007 to 2010 to improve the healthcare of homeless people. The resource was developed into a guided interactive learning pathway to provide support and training to practitioners. The package is arranged in six modules.
A new ‘Opening Doors’ project will provide resources for community nurses and other health professionals working with the homeless to enhance and develop health care for their service users.
Shelter: Policy library
In this section of the Shelter website it is possible to search across reports, factsheets, briefings and policy consultation responses published by Shelter. Searching can be done by subject such as 'homelessness' as well as by document type and can be limited to England or Scotland.
Shelter (2006) Good practice report: New directions: supporting street homeless service users with complex needs (PDF 279.17KB)
The 'New directions' report which is in two volumes, describes the work of agencies that are seeking to provide radical and innovative methods of reducing street homelessness illustrating that a diverse range of solutions is needed. Good practice examples of projects that work with people from the street, through to resettlement are featured.
Volume 2 (2008) (PDF 279.81KB).
St Mungo's (2008) Homelessness: it makes you sick
Research undertaken by St Mungo's in London focussing on interactions between clients and primary health services, has revealed "a substantial need for high quality health services". The findings have led to the development of a health strategy by St Mungo's.
St Mungo's (2008) St Mungo's health strategy for homeless people 2008-11
St Mungo's is essentially a social care organisation and straddles intersections between primary care, public health and health inequalities. This strategy aims to resolve some of the tensions resulting from this. It aims to further develop partnership working and sets out key points, changes and priorities, and presents detailed action plans. Rough sleepers are a priority and the document includes a healthcare pathway for this group as well as specific strategies for alcohol and mental health related problems.
Welsh Assembly Government (2004) Consulting with homeless people
Good practice advice note written to help public and voluntary sector organisations in Wales consult with homeless people on service planning, service delivery and identifying gaps in services.