Joining the Dots

LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP TO THIS RESEARCH CONFERENCE, DON’T MISS YOUR PLACE!

One-day research conference

15 May 2008, CCT Venues Smithfield, London

Connecting the evidence base for homelessness policy and practice

Evidence-based practice and policy decisions ensure that resources are most effectively allocated and that we provide the best possible services to our customers. Joining the dots provides an opportunity to share the findings that have come out of recent research, to take stock of what has been achieved so far, to look to the future and discuss where we should take research into homelessness to achieve our goals. It is also an excellent opportunity for policy makers and service managers to find out about the evidence available to help them most effectively support and develop their work and to find out how government uses research to inform the policy making process.

For more information or to express your interest, see our website here, or contact Homeless Link’s Conference & Events manager, Kate Alaway on 020 7960 3032 or kate.alaway@homelesslink.org.uk

Homeless Link Annual Conference 2008

Two-day conference

8-10 July 2008, Warwick University

Thinking nationally, acting locally

This year’s annual conference aims to encourage homelessness agencies and their service users to engage more with their local community, to link in and make the most effective use out of the other services available, and for the community to recognise the contribution that homeless people can make. Removing barriers and improving access to local services can develop a better understanding between the community, agencies and service users. Ensuring access to a range of services, such as drug and alcohol, health, probation and mental health services will help to meet the complex needs of this socially excluded group and help them move on to independent lives. By being involved in setting local policies and ensuring your voice is heard, the services that are commissioned are more likely to meet the needs of your service users.

Further information will be available shortly on our website. In the meantime, to express your interest in this conference please contact our Conference & Events manager, Kate Alaway, on 020 7960 3032 or kate.alaway@homelesslink.org.uk.

Your Events

Advertise your forthcoming events - Would you like to advertise your forthcoming events to Homeless Link members? Homeless Link has launched a new service allowing organisations to promote their events via the Homeless Link member mailings and in Connect magazine. It costs £25 to have you event included in this diary section and an additional £25 if you want your event featured in Connect. To receive further details about this service please contact connect@homelesslink.org.uk

More Skills at a Saving

• Early bird price of £99 per course for 2008 courses, members only (conditions apply)

• Three courses for £300, members only (conditions apply)

Featured Course

Featured course: Working with clients from the new EU member states

8 May 2008, London

Citizens from the so-called A8 member states are a growing client group for many services and present services with unique problems. This course provides an overview of the law regarding this group and considers the practical challenges for services in meeting the needs of these clients. See here for further details on this course.

Fee: Homeless Link members £128, Statutory sector £160, Non-members £180 (no VAT to add)

Trainer: Bethan Lant

Other Courses in May and June 2008

6 May 2008, London, Working with the homelessness law

8 May 2008, London, Working with clients from the new EU member states

20 May 2008, London, Effective keyworking

9 June 2008, London, Arrears prevention

12 June 2008, London, Difficult, disturbing & dangerous behaviour

16 & 17 June 2008, London, Train the trainer

25 & 26 June 2008, London, Motivational interviewing

• Fees, terms and conditions

• Full course diary

• Training queries: please email training@homelesslink.org.uk or call 020 7960 3030.
• See http://www.homeless.org.uk/training for full course diary.

In Your Area

• Short Films Made by Homeless People – First Cut – Take 2 part of the First Base Arts Project, have arranged Film Screenings, Performance and an Awards Ceremony at The Odean Cinema, West St, Brighton on Saturday 10th May 2008 10.30-11.30am.

• Supporting People Regional Collaboration in Yorkshire and Humberside - The Regional Centre of Excellence (procurement) has established a number of projects to look at possible efficiencies and improvements that could be gained by regional collaboration of SP authorities across the Yorkshire and Humberside region. Supporting People managers would like to get feedback from as many providers in the region as possible, especially small local providers. The deadline is Friday 2nd May 2008. Click here for more information on how to get involved.

• Homeless Link’s New Regional Manager for the East of England, Chris Cornell, is keen to meet up with members in the area. Chris will be involved in supporting our members in the East of England and providing practical support to the six agencies in his region, which have received Places of Change funding. Chris’ previous role was Development Manager for Tyne & Wear at Centrepoint, where he was working with Sunderland City Council to promote colloborative working with local RSL's and the voluntary sector. Chris has a background in managing both education projects and partnerships working to establish social enterprises with homeless and socially excluded young people. Having relocated from the North East, Chris is keen to meet as many of our members as posisble, taking time to learn about their work and get a insight into the problems that they and their service users face. To schedule Chris to visit your service or speak to him about others ways in which you may be able to help, please contact him directly on 0779 970 6563 or via email at chris.cornell@homelesslink.org.uk.

• Therapeutic Interventions in Self-Harm – The University of Salford and the British Association on Social Workers (BASW) are holding a conference on Tuesday 20th May 2008 in Central London. See this website for more information.

Hottopic: New Rough Sleeping Action Plan 'As Close To Zero As Possible'

Hottopic: New Rough Sleeping Action Plan 'As Close To Zero As Possible' | Ending Rough Sleeping in Europe | Human Rights in Britain | Housing Policy in London | Adult Learning in the Homelessness Sector |

• Hottopic - New Rough Sleeping Action Plan 'As Close To Zero As Possible' – unveiled by Communities Minister, Iain Wright. Communities Minister, Iain Wright has unveiled rough sleeping action plan – the action plan aims to reduce rough sleeping to as close to zero as possible, with new measures to help those who have remained entrenched on the streets. This includes plans for all hostels to provide access to support, training and employment within the next three years. Read the press release here or the full discussion paper - 10 years on: From the streets to independent living and opportunity. Also, Jeramy Swain, Chief Executive of Thames Reach has already responded to the action plan. Read what Jeramy had to say here. Homeless Link’s policy team will be collating responses from the Homelessness sector on this action plan. Head of Policy Analysis, Ollie Hilbery will be sending out a questionairre over the next couple of weeks to Chief Executives in the Homelessness Sector. In the mean time, please feel free to contact Oliver Hilbery should you have any comments.

Ending Rough Sleeping in Europe

Hottopic: New Rough Sleeping Action Plan 'As Close To Zero As Possible' | Ending Rough Sleeping in Europe | Human Rights in Britain | Housing Policy in London | Adult learning in the homelessness sector

• Ending Rough Sleeping in Europe – On 10th April The European Parliament achieved 438 signitures on the written declaration to end street homelessness in Europe by 2015, which means the declaration can be adopted by the European Parliament. Over the last few weeks Homeless Link has campaigned to all MEPs urging them to sign this declaration. Thanks to all those who campigned with us, contacting MEPs themselves. Read the full declaration here, Feantsa’s response here, and an article about this in Inside Housing here.

Human Rights in Britain

Hottopic: New Rough Sleeping Action Plan 'As Close To Zero As Possible' | Ending Rough Sleeping in Europe | Human Rights in Britain | Housing Policy in London | Adult learning in the homelessness sector

• Human Rights in Britain - The Equality and Human Rights Commission Call for help with their human rights enquiry, requesting evidence from public authorities and service providers to find out if people – including homeless people - are being treated with dignity and respect. See here for more information, and to download a ‘call for evidence response form’.

Housing Policy in London

Hottopic: New Rough Sleeping Action Plan 'As Close To Zero As Possible' | Ending Rough Sleeping in Europe | Human Rights in Britain | Housing Policy in London | Adult learning in the homelessness sector

• Housing Policy in London - The London Housing foundation consider how the new statutory funding environment might impact on small agencies in their report ‘`Supporting People and Small Agencies – What is the Impact`_?’. Alan Cripps of Neadon Consulting found that although the impact up to now has been relatively small, there are significant concerns for the future as small providers are likely to face a competitive disadvantage in bidding for new SP contracts. Also, there was recently an MP’s housing debate, where Iain Wright called for local authorities to put more emphasis on providing affordable housing in London. See here for the Homeless Link summary briefing.

Adult Learning in the Homelessness Sector

Hottopic: New Rough Sleeping Action Plan 'As Close To Zero As Possible' | Ending Rough Sleeping in Europe | Human Rights in Britain | Housing Policy in London | Adult learning in the homelessness sector

• Adult Learning in the Homelessness Sector – the Department for Innovation Universities and Skills (DIUS) has opened a consultation on ‘Informal Adult Learning: Shaping the Way Ahead’. Click here to see what homelessness activities may be included under this consultation, and for information on how to get involved.

Current Paid Vacancies at Homeless Link

• Knowledge Development Manager, Homeless Link
• Research Officer, Homeless Link
• Good Practice Manager, Homeless Link

Current Paid Vacancies With Our Member Agencies

• Operations Manger, York Arc Light
• Locum Workers (London), Marylebone Project
• Female IT Support Worker (London), Marylebone Project
• Night Project Worker (London), Marylebone Project
• Female Project Worker, Mental Health (London), Marylebone Project
• Female Project Worker (London), Marylebone Project
• Events Fundraiser (Watford), Watford New Hope Trust
• Night/Weekend Support Assistant (York), Foundation Housing
• Night/Weekend Support Assistant (Selby), Foundation Housing
• Project Workers (London E1), The Salvation Army
• Skills Development Co-ordinator (London E1), The Salvation Army
• Housing Support Worker (York/Selby), Foundation Housing

Current Unpaid Vacancies With Our Member Agencies

• New Chair and Board Members, Housing Justice

Current Paid Vacancies With Non-Member Agencies

• NVQ Assessors / Trainers (East of England and London), Opps Developments

Advertise Your Vacancies Through Homeless Link

Your vacancy could appear here and would be sent to over 3,000 contacts in organisations across England and Wales. In addition vacancies will be displayed on the Homeless Link website. For more information on advertising jobs click here.

Please send feedback, comments or if there is anything you would like to see in the bulletin to Gill Perkins at gill.perkins@homelesslink.org.uk

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