Reconnection

Principles of a reconnection policy

The main principles for a local reconnection policy should be:

• to be part of an authority’s cross-authority and inter-borough working to tackle and prevent homelessness
• to offer a locally agreed, client-centred assertive resettlement process for rough sleepers and single people
• to ensure a robust and reciprocally agreed referral mechanism to local areas where people have formal or informal support networks
• to be implemented by consensus among all local partners and areas to which people are referred.

A local reconnections policy should seek to

• reduce the number of people rough sleeping in the area
• ensure that clients referred to other areas have accommodation and access to appropriate services when they arrive, to prevent rough sleeping in those areas
• ensure access to Supporting People services for vulnerable people for whom reconnection is either unavailable or inappropriate
• identify and where possible tackle gaps in provision.

Approach to protocol production

Partnership working (including cross-authority and reciprocal arrangements) can maximise resources and reduce overlap of work. In the production of a reconnections protocol, it is important to consider what street based and building-based services are in place, and the engagement of other agencies (such as the police, drug and alcohol teams, community mental health teams, and primary care trusts).

The best practice guidelines from the CLG state that the process of protocol production should be in two phases:

1 Intelligence gathering

This should include identifying those rough sleepers, hostel residents and day centre users for whom a reconnection to another area may be an appropriate, useful approach and the areas to which they have a connection.

• This information can be gathered from
  • audits from the police
  • analysis of people living in hostels and night shelters
  • analysis of people using day centres, health facilities etc.
  • identification of any travel patterns (e.g. country wide, between major conurbations or from prison).

2 Protocol development

A clear and transparent policy and set of eligibility criteria must be produced and implemented with the agreement of all agencies so that a consistent approach to clients is taken.

Eligibility criteria for reconnection should be non-discriminatory and take account of equality issues.

• Effective monitoring is necessary throughout the implementation of the protocol and should cover these areas:
  • patterns of rough sleeping locally
  • positive outcomes for people for whom reconnection was effective
  • outcomes for people for whom reconnection was inappropriate
  • numbers of rough sleepers returning after reconnection
  • numbers of people refusing to engage with the process
  • costs of the policy.

NOTE: It will not be appropriate to apply reconnections policies to every rough sleeper. In particular, where a local housing authority has accepted a duty to a rough sleeper or homeless person under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996, reconnections policies should not be applied. In addition, rough sleepers who refuse reconnection must not be prevented from accessing local Supporting People services on the grounds that they have no local connection with the area in which they are currently residing.

For more information see the Getting Connected guidelines from the CLG and also the October 2006 CLG letter to directors of housing regarding reconnections and Supporting People.

Good practice: Bristol City Council’s reconnections policy

Bristol City Council’s reconnections policy is intended to provide rough sleepers with support to ‘reconnect’ with housing and support in areas outside Bristol, where they have proven support and social networks and to generate data about why rough sleepers leave areas where they have a local connection.

Rough sleepers with no connection to another area are provided with access to a full range of homelessness and related services in the city. Those that have an identifiable area, but refuse reconnection, are provided with a limited range of services, including accommodation in hostels and access to the housing register. However, they will not have access to Registered Social Landlord (RSL) accommodation and support, and access to some other local services. Exceptions to this can be made where there is a clear benefit to the person to live in Bristol, rather than where she or he has a proven social network. There is also a clear appeals process in case of disputes.

Good practice: Cambridge City Council’s reconnections policy

Cambridge City Council found that around one third of new arrivals to the streets in 2005 were not from the city, or surrounding districts. They developed a reconnections policy, in consultation with voluntary sector partners and other relevant services. Service users are now reconnected to areas where they have a local connection and where there is direct confirmation of the bedspace available for the client. Accommodation is available in the short term (up to 28 days) for those in the process of being reconnected. Where service users do not have any local connection, the Council will accept responsibility for service provision.

Checklist

Checklist, for staff, to establish if reconnection is appropriate

Has an assessment of the individual’s support, health and housing needs been undertaken?

Does the person wish to return to another area? Do you have consent for this?

Is it safe for the person to return to another area?

Has the receiving authority/housing provider been notified to ensure accommodation and/or other support services are available for the client in the receiving authority?

Have arrangements to facilitate the reconnection been agreed?

Have travel costs and arrangements been completed?

Is someone able to accompany the person to the train/bus station so they can make their journey to the receiving authority?

Has the receiving authority been advised that the client is en route?

Have arrangements been made to follow up that the client has arrived safely?

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