Agenda item

The Baord will receive a presetnation from Homewards.

The Director of Housing introduced the item and advised of the partnership working with Homewards and invited its representative to address the Board.

The Homewards partner gave the Board some background information that it was a royal charity five year programme working across six locations in the UK to demonstrate that by working together collaboratively, it was possible to end homelessness.

The programme aimed to bring together different partners and stakeholders in order to bring about positive change.  The Board was advised of the work which had been undertaken in BCP by bringing together a coalition of partners from the private sector, health, education, housing, voluntary and social sector who were working on initial priorities and how Homewards can amplify and add value to the work already being undertaken.

The Board was advised of the ongoing work to develop a national and local action plan about Homewards can support BCP including leverage of funding to support initiatives including to build more homes, provide wraparound care, and improve employment opportunities.

The Board was advised that the focus was on early intervention and prevention and details of the work that was being undertaken was provided, including working with colleges, charity partners and employers and gaining experience and expertise from those with lived experience.

A housing project was also highlighted which focused on young people and to show there was different ways to deliver housing, including housing which had support and provided a platform and not a barrier.

The Homewards partner concluded by advising that the programme was aimed at building on the good work underway but also to bring in new resources and partners to help share burden of overcoming challenges both nationally and locally.

The Board discussed the item:

• In response to a question, the Board was advised of why BCP was chosen as one of the 6 locations.  The selection process was detailed, and it was highlighted that each location had different content and issues but at least 3 of the 6 wanted to focus on care experienced young people.  The main drivers for all the locations were housing, employment and support.
• A Board Member provided positive feedback from some of the sessions they had attended with Homewards including all the partners and those with lived experience which helped to highlight challenges and help drive conversations forward and develop relationships.
• There was some discussion regarding how best to gather and use lived experience together with reaching out to a broad range of stakeholders and local businesses to consider the current experience and help shape longer term aspirational plans.
• In response to a query regarding the action plan, the Board was advised that that it was owned by the coalition bought together by BCP and was building on the good work already underway in the homelessness strategy.  It was highlighted that it was hoped to be finalised before the end of the year.
•  A Board Member highlighted the importance of early intervention to prevent young people from being at risk of homelessness.
• The Director of Housing concluded that this was a unique opportunity to create a lasting legacy and the additional capacity and support provided by Homewards enabled greater data insight and predictive analysis together with a good opportunity to test principles and programmes.

The Board noted the update.

There was a short adjournment after this item.