Homelessness and Rough Sleeping

Today someone will become homeless, tonight, someone will sleep rough for the first time. It will be cold, uncomfortable, lonely and potentially life threatening. They may face abuse or violence.

You can use the LEPH approach and resources to help someone that you are concerned about. Contacting a local support organisation or an outreach service, could potentially save someone from homelessness and will help them find a safe shelter quicker. 

Very Brief Intervention

Ask

Reaching out to someone who we think may be at risk of homelessness or who is already living on the street can be so impactful, treat them how you’d like to be treated.

Here are key questions to Ask to help signpost the specific needs of a homeless person or someone found rough sleeping.

Initial Contact  - Do you need any help? Have you got a safe place to go to? 

How long have you been on the streets? Have you been in contact with a local homelessness team?

Previously housed in?...(own mortgaged, own rented, shared, hotel/B&B, squat supported housing, hostel)

If not currently homeless, does individual have a means of getting home? Is home safe? Current address? 

Does the individual have a phone? 

Does the individual have a probation officer? Contact details?    Would the individual like you to contact someone for them?

 

Assist

Once you have established the particular circumstances and needs of the individual what can you do to help?

Please click on the below regional links for information about Homelessness and Rough Sleeping relating to your locality.

Details of National support services for the Homeless can be found under the 'Act' tab.

Act

National Support

STREET LINK

Street Link is a national service which can be used if you see people sleeping rough. Referrals can be made 24 hours a day using the hotline or online.

Tel: 0300 500 0914 - Although the hotline is a 24 hour service outreach teams may not be able to assist that person straight away. 

Website: www.streetlink.org.uk - You need to register to access services

SHELTER

A person can contact the free Shelter helpline if they have nowhere to sleep or might be homeless soon, they have somewhere to sleep but nowhere to call home or could be at risk of harm.

Tel: 0808 800 4444 - The helpline is open 365 days a year and accessible at the following times: 

8am - 8pm on weekdays

9am - 5pm on weekends

Website: https://england.shelter.org.uk/

Support Services - Children and Young People

Children and Young People can contact the 'The Mix which is a leading support service that can help young people to take on any challenge they are facing - from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. 

 

Local Support and Contact Details