Notes from the Homelessness consultation



Notes from Southend Homeless Action Network (SHAN) MeetingHeld at SCF’s Plaza Centre on Tuesday 9th July 2019Attendees (32): Del Thomas (Off the Streets); Peter Courtenay (Southend Street Pastors); Stanford Biti (CAST); Damon Starky (HARP); Tuula Pienkuukka (SoS Adult Community College [SACC]); Catherine Weir (South & Central Essex MIND); Tsebo Letsie (CAST); Colin Cooper (SCF’s Isaiah Project); Helen Rhodes (All Saints, 57 West and a Street Pastor); Marie Edmonds (1st Space Housing); Zoey Smith (One Love); Cllr Keith Evans (Ind, Blenheim Park); Rob Carvosso (Vineyard Storehouse); Rod Harvey (Queensway Community Worker, Vineyard Storehouse); Majzoub Ali; Jennifer Gora (CAST); Amy Skinner (HARP); Andrew Marshall (HARP); Jon Gurel (Community Safety Manager, SBC); Pam Davies (57 West); Gary Turner (HARP); Chris Applin (HARP); Jackie Bliss (CEO, HARP); Paul Hill (Safeguarding Adults, SoS Borough Council [SBC]); Derek Edwards (Citizen’s Advice, SoS); Claire Victory (SBC); Sheree Crofts (South Essex Homes [SEH]); Katie Lee (SEH); Gemma Cartwright (SAVS); Roger Savage (SAVS Development Officer, Media & Communications); John Simmons (Co-Ordinator, SoS Churches Winter Night Shelters) [Notes]; and John Barber (Street Spirit) [Chair].Apologies (5): Kirsty Fields (Off the Streets); Elsa Moore (Rough Sleeper Co-Ordinator, SBC); Nicola O’Keeffe (Housing & Social Inclusion, SBC); Jean Broadbent (SoS Healthwatch); and Trish North (SACC).N.B. Action Points are in bold underlined italics.1. Welcome and Introductions.John B. welcomed all to the meeting and reminded all present about the “Rules of Engagement” for these meetings:- We are SHAN; we are about Southend; the Homeless; and Action; and are a Network of concerned people working to move the homeless onto a better place.We don’t discuss individual cases at the meetings, although anonymous examples can be given to make a point.We don’t have a go at each other for perceived shortcomings.He then thanked SCF for their hospitality.Please send all additions and amendments to the Contact List to John B. (at: jjandm.barber@blueyonder.co.uk) asap.Everyone then briefly introduced themselves by name, organisation and role. 2. Minutes, Action Points and Matters Arising from our last meeting (14/05/19).a) After one small correction to Item 9 (the new RS Leaflet is Version 4), the minutes were accepted. b) Matters Arising:-Health Needs Audit: Gary reported that they have now completed about 250 surveys - their target is 500; volunteers are still needed to help get the surveys completed - please contact Gary asap.Off the Streets (OtS): Del reported that OtS had just heard that they have granted charitable status; and that the Sunday PM Drop-In (separate to OtS) had started at Sacred Heart (15:00 - 18:00). Southend Churches Winter Night Shelters: John S. reported that the job advert for his “shadow” will be published by the end of July. Gemma offered to include it on the SAVS e-mail, etc.SBC: A link to the Housing Strategy had been sent out with the minutes of the last meeting; and the new posts (e.g. Navigators - funded by the MHCLG) will soon be advertised. Housing Portfolio holder: Cllr Meg Richardson had been replaced by Cllr Ian Gilbert; John B. had invited him to this meeting, but had not yet received a reply (update 16/08 – we are now in contact).Operation Eastwood: the date was confirmed as Friday 19th July (10:00 in Morrison’s car park).Dealing with Addictions: Marie’s papers had been sent out with the minutes, etc. Marie reported that she is still struggling with the application for charitable status.Visits to the YMCA: No-one revealed they had asked to visit the YMCA; and Alisa was not present.Rough Sleeper Leaflet: John B. reported that, thanks to a donation, he had been able to get 1000 copies of Version 4 printed. Bulk supplies have been left at SAVS, HARP and the Forum. As usual, there have already been some changes! The 3 main ones were:- Some of the Soup Kitchens have changed; One Love’s Tuesday PM session is no longer running; and The Salvation Army is not able to provide breakfasts because of building work until December.He will try to keep the on-line copy up to date: (The new version is at: ).3. Council - update: Elsa Moore was unable to attend the meeting, and no substitute was present.4. Police - update: Insp. Ian Hughes was unable to attend the meeting, and no substitute was present.5.Southend Healthwatch - update: Jean Broadbent was unable to attend the meeting, and no substitute was present.However, Majzoub was able to report that they had produced their Annual Report; he had submitted some questions about it and had received a response (see App. A to these minutes). As a consequence, SoS HW had re-issued the Report! The revised Report is at: West (Pam Davies):57 West is a church (although a very untraditional one!), and a community café for Rough Sleepers (RSs). It is based at Clarence Road Baptist Church (CRBC) in central Southend.Their activities include:-A chess club on Tuesdays (mostly Eastern European men);Café (lunchtimes: Wednesdays - Saturdays)Church Service (Saturdays)Winter Night Shelter (Sundays, during the season)In the 18 months since they moved to CRBC, the number of regulars has gone from 12 -> 70 or 80 for the café sessions.They have seen 225 people. Not all are RSs; about 50% are vulnerable adults.Changes following a recent restructure will be implemented in September.They have just finished a trial of a RS drop-in on Thursdays (20:00 - 23:00 - after One Love); a small group attended - a success because several of them don’t engage with any other services; it will soon become permanent.Happy to work in partnership with anyone but, because they are a community and not a service provider, they think it vital to ensure their premises are a protected space and so don’t allow other services into the café. But they do signpost as necessary and have special sessions for e.g. the SACC (art group) and Teen Challenge. Other services are welcome - please approach Pam to arrange a session.Challenges are:Funding: should be helped when they become a CIO in near future.Mental Health (MH): people who can manage their own MH are OK; if they are so ill, they have to be sectioned, they’re sort of OK; it’s those in the middle who are the issue. If they ring 999, the Police say it’s an Ambulance matter and vice-versa. So where can they go, especially after closing time? Suggestions are very welcome.Marie said that it sometimes best to talk to someone else with MH; she offered her services.In response to a question from John B., Pam said they have 4 paid staff and 26 volunteers.Pam said they need to know which service is working with each person and so appropriate info. sharing is vital. Jackie sympathised with the MH “dilemma” and said that Jason Marriott (replaced David Johnson as the liaison between the MHCLG and Southend) is aware of the funding shortage in this area.This lead in to a discussion about MH; the salient points were:-Andrew said that the lack of MH services was a big problem for HARP where staff can spend hours on the phone trying to get appropriate help for clients/residents.Gary said that the MH Commissioner at SBC is Kerry Turner. She has recently initiated Project SIM (Serenity Integrated Monitoring) that Ian Hughes mentioned at the last meeting (due to start on 01/08/19), and is tendering for a Crisis Café (to avoid people having to go to hospital).Catherine mentioned that SIM has been renamed and initially will only be dealing with 5 or 6 people.Catherine also mentioned that MIND can offer support and guidance; and said that a “holding place” is needed for those people that Pam mentioned who were “in the middle”.Marie reminded us that once her addiction issue was resolved, her MH stabilised and she got the right diagnosis.Gary said that the Health Needs Audit should help establish the need; the findings will be going to the Commissioners.Helen mentioned 2 small MH projects she was involved with:-The Place (a 24/7 facility): needs funding; andA house for 3 or 4 people funded by Green Pastures.John S. suggested asking someone from EPUT (possibly Simone Longley, known to him from the Complex Needs Panel) to attend the next SHAN.7.SAVS (Gemma Cartwright).Gemma said that there have been some recent changes at SAVS (including a new CEO - now Kristina Jackson), and it may seem that things have gone a bit quiet.However, homelessness is still a big issue for the town, and so for them.They publish a weekly e-mail; contact Roger Savage (at rsavage@savs-southend.co.uk) to get on the list. Content received by Thursday will be included in Friday’s e-mail. They also publish a SAVS Newsletter with news and info. from across the community.Gemma distributed copies of a handout (with these minutes) and explained that SAVS is an independent registered charity that is funded by Southend Council. They support all sorts of groups and have approx. 400 members (although they are aware of 700 - 1100 local groups).A recent review indicated that local volunteers if paid, would have cost ?15m.It is estimated that each ?1 that goes into the voluntary sector generates ?6.The voluntary sector needs to better understand the value of their organisations e.g. how much they save the statutory services (various tools are available).80% of the population come into contact with the voluntary sector.SAVS are happy to help/support/publicise local organisations that can also use the voice of the CEO as she sits on various boards.Paul Hill mentioned the New Economy Manchester Model as being very useful for funding bids; Gemma can supply the details.Gemma said that it is now important that any funding bids indicate how the bidder fits in with the SoS 2050 vision. SAVS can help with that and also to align language with that used in e.g. Southend Council invitations to tender for contracts.In response to a question from John B., Roger said that the new CEO is trying to get the various boards she attends to get their agendas out earlier so local organisations can send representatives to appropriate meetings.8.The Southend Local Plan - Update (Claire Victory).Claire distributed copies of a handout (with these minutes) and said:-One of Southend Council’s biggest challenges in the Local Plan is the requirement to deliver 20,000 more homes (now only building 400 pa - need to build 1200 pa).They consulted widely (using different methods) about need/location/tenure of these homes.Many comments were received; these are currently being analysed.“Affordable”: target is 30% in developments of more than 10 units (now only ~18%).There is a link to the revised Allocation Policy: will soon be out for consultation.The new Administration is developing a new policy about how much social housing will be provided by the Council, etc.The aim is to publish a more detailed Local Plan in early 2020.Zoey asked the land near the planned new stadium at Fossett’s Farm. Claire said that there was a planning application that is out for consultation.Keith said that he is keen for more housing to be social rather than affordable.Catherine asked if affordability is written into the Plan. Claire said it was (at 80% of market rent), but this is different to social housing.Rob asked if the council could insist on more houses being built rather than flat because when families outgrow flats, they have nowhere to go. Claire said this is the result of at least 10 years of developers seeing flats as more important (and profitable - more units in the same space). There are plans to rebalance that, but where will they go?Del asked how the Council could stop developers getting round the requirement to include affordable housing, and Gemma asked about the need to provide the required infrastructure before housing. Claire said these were two ?1m questions! The number of required affordable units is based on a national methodology that uses the strength of the local economy to determine how many homes each LA has to provide. Claire said that the final report should be out by the end of the month, and that she would be happy to deal with any further questions sent by e-mail (to: ClaireVictory@.uk). 9.HARP Service Users Newsletter (Damon Starky).Damon announced the launch of “Streetlife”: a newsletter by and for HARP service users.It came from an idea by a service user and aims to get the voice of the homeless “out there”.It will be a neutral non-biased publication that will highlight good news stories and advertise jobs, etc.It will be honest and give a real world view.There will local “drop boxes” for content.The first edition will be released on 17th July at Vera House and copies will be widely distributed.Peter asked if Damon thought Streetlife would help get people off the streets rather than sustain life on the streets. Damon said he hoped it would because service users who are no longer homeless will be involved. Also, there will be positive outcomes and training opportunities (e.g. creative writing and photography) that will provide skills. Marie agreed because it will raise the contributor’s self-worth and self-esteem.10.No Recourse to Public Funds.Derek and Stanford gave brief overviews of how CA and CAST attempt to help those with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF).In particular, Derek reminded us that NRPF is a misnomer because most people are eligible for some benefits; and that it was key for someone to take sole responsibility for each person to champion them the process of e.g. obtaining missing documentation. For some, there is the added complication of the EU Settled Status register that will come into operation after BREXIT.Stanford remarked that the Council’s Homeless Strategy doesn’t mention NRPF.There was then a brief open discussion that will have to be continued at our next meeting.11.AoB.There was no time left for AOB.But, John S. would like to invite everyone to a Community Carol Service organised by Love Southend. It’s on Dec. 6th (19:30 at SCF’s Plaza Centre).12.Close: John B. thanked everyone for attending and hoped they had enjoyed the meeting.13.The remaining SHAN Meetings for 2019 will be on:- 10th September; and 12th November.All meetings are 11:00 - 13:00 at The Plaza Centre (600 Southchurch Road, SS1 2PT).Appendix A:Response from Healthwatch Southend Project Manager and Operations ManagerOn Thursday 04 July 2019Dear Mr. Ali?Thank you for your enquires around the annual report. We have highlighted our responses below in blue.??Healthwatch Southend (HWS) 2018/2019 Annual Report?I believe that there are 152 local Healthwatches in England not 127 as shown in the report.This is absolutely correct and will be amendedThe financial section does not give sufficient details about the allocated money from Southend Borough Council, the money brought forward from last year, the balance being taken forward or an indication how the accounts had been audited. Who was the auditor?The format and layout of the financial section was determined by HWE and we have completed it according to their instruction.?Both Family Action and SBC are audited in accordance with regulations.There was nothing in the report to state that HWS had not been allocated sufficient funds to meet its statutory obligations.?HWS are meeting our statutory obligations.Total income last year was ?111,581.98.Total income this year ?124,560.85.The invoiced income for 17/18 was ?122,423.32, however we repaid an underspend from the 16/17 financial period during 17/18 leaving us with ?111,581.98. ?Sources of income were not shown.All HWS income is from Southend borough CouncilNo evidence was given demonstrating that HWS had?been acting as an independent champion for people of Southend regarding health and social care.The entire report reflects how HWS has been acting as an independent champion for the people of Southend, for example through engagement, surveys, representation at meetings and health Complaints advocacy.No details were given showing HWS entitlement to conduct enter and view activities.Whilst HWS are entitled to conduct enter and view activities, this activity has to be conducted based upon identified concerns. We have taken advice from HWE who say that the usual process is that an E&V should only be undertaken when a serious issue has been flagged by a service user and is not able to be resolved through the usual routes with the provider.? There is a HW protocol that E&V is undertaken when other attempts by the provider, local authority or HW have failed and that HW should be mindful that a Care Home could be under CQC review, or just had an inspection or working to a plan to improve following inspection.?During the reporting period there were no such concerns brought to our attentionHad there been any activities during the year that HWS had not been able to do??As mentioned above HWS has met the statutory obligations of a Healthwatch. We have not conducted any E&V as they were not required.To whom is HWS Accountable??All local Healthwatches are accountable to the funding local authority, in our case Southend Borough council.??Kind regardsHealthwatch Southend ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download