Multi-agency socially excluded survey
Contact officer: Alix Watson, service manager, Access Liverpool service
Tel: 0151 233 4429
Email: Alix.Watson@liverpool.gov.uk
Start date: 8 October 2007
End date: 14 December 2007
Purpose of the exercise:
This exercise will provide an updated view of the level of need within the socially excluded population in Liverpool. The survey will aim to capture a range of information on people who are known to homeless, criminal justice and substance mis-use etc agencies.
The results of the survey will be published and circulated to partners and discussed with the service user forum, before a final report is published. This report will then inform the commissioning of new services during 2008/09 to ensure services are meeting the identified needs.
Who was consulted and how:
All agencies, support and housing providers who offer support, housing, advice or statutory intervention to people who are homeless were consulted. A survey was used, the results from which, were presented to a focus group before the final report was written.
Who were results of the exercise reported to?
The exercise was reported to the:
- Supporting People core strategy group
- Supporting People commissioning body
- Community expert group (service users)
What were the findings of the exercise:
65 completed surveys from across the 45 provider services were received and, with the removal of duplicates, we received detailed information on the support needs of 1,737 service users. A summary of these finding shows that:
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35% indicated a support need around substance use
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27% had mental health issues
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15% were identified as having a dual diagnosis (i.e. substance misuse and mental health issues)
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over 87% were insecurely housed within hostel accommodation, an institution or were homeless
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113 homeless families were identified
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76% of the families were lone paresnts
What are the changes to the service brought about as a result of the consultation:
The results of the survey will be used to inform commissioning and service development during 2008/09. As commissioning and procurement is a long process, no changes to services have been brought about at this time. However, the commissioning body has approced the commissioning of a range of services during the year to meet the needs identified. These will include:
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a range of support services for young people
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the retendering of homeless family provision to improve quality
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a floating support service for people who have both mental health and substance misuse issues
We are also investing in research to explore the feasibility and development of an 'access gateway' to homeless services that will improve access to service and the assessment of needs for people who are homeless
Visit the supporting people web pages to find out further information.