Thursday, 05 February 2009

It is essential to secure the participation of people experiencing homelessness to help shape the design and delivery of services that they are, or were, clients of.  The experts in homelessness are indeed the people who are or have experienced it.

The Homeless Participant Involvement Project is of strategic importance to Fife Council and, as we move towards more common tools and measures of accountability, the service is becoming increasingly important as a partnership resource for all service providers in Fife.

 

preventing homelessness, transforming lives

© Peter Jenkinson

Our Development Co-ordinator holds surgeries at 26 venues across Fife on a monthly basis.  People attending these clinics present with a wide variety of homelessness and housing issues. 

 

An independent group with 3 dedicated members has been established to quality check Fife Council Homelessness Policy and conduct independent service reviews.  Local Authorities are being challenged to involve service users more by the Scottish Government.  By becoming actively involved, we aim to ensure services are more effective and more participant led.

Over the past year, our Development Co-ordinator has been involved in brokering a Common Exclusion Policy for accommodation providers and on improving relationships with private landlords.  Other work in progress includes the establishment of protocols for people being discharged from hospital with no temporary accommodation.

 

 

How To Find Out More

If you are interested in finding out more about the Homeless Participant Involvement Project, please contact Louise Walkup on 01592 800430.

Once an initial interview has taken place, referrals will be made to the relevant agencies, including our Housing Advice and Support Services.