Connecting the evidence base for homelessness policy and practice

One-day research conference, 15 May 2008, London

This conference provided a rare opportunity to pull together some of the exciting, new research that has been conducted into homelessness and related fields in recent years.

Joining the dots offered policy makers and service managers the chance to talk directly to researchers about their findings and understand, through interactive workshops, how they are relevant to their work. Getting to grips with the evidence base helps them provide the best possible services to their customers and allocate resources most effectively. At the same time, researchers had the chance to discuss and share the practical application of their work directly with those who realise change in policy and practice.

For those already involved in homelessness and related research, Joining the dots was a key opportunity to meet other researchers working in the same field, share ideas and investigate future directions in research. For those who are new to homelessness related research, this was an excellent chance to be introduced to work in the field and to start thinking about the relevance to their work.

Conference Programme

Programme details

Speakers

• Research and government policy - what makes an impact?: Jacob West, Prime Minister's Strategy Unit
• Changing society - the role of research: Julia Unwin CBE, Joseph Rowntree Foundation
• Making research count - Tim Crosier, Social Exclusion Task Force
• Developing a homelessness research programme: Homeless Link

Workshops

Homeless Link, together with the research forum it coordinates, has been working for several years to try to establish a major academic research programme that focuses on multiple exclusion in relation to homelessness. Last year we consulted with service users, frontline agencies and policy makers on what the priorities for such a programme should be. Two broad areas of focus came out of the consultation. The first involved research looking at the context of homelessness. This included looking at the relationship with other aspects of acute social exclusion (the role of poverty was especially pertinent to service users), the causes of homelessness and who is responsible for tackling homelessness. The second, which was a clear priority for service providers, was finding out what works in tackling homelessness, to ensure that resources and effort are directed in the most effective way.

The workshops at this conference were divided between these two broad themes. What we know about the context of homelessness, which can help inform our policy and practice initiatives and what works, in specific services and with particular groups.

What works:

• WK1: Impact of outcomes

Triangle Consulting’s assessment of how agencies can benefit from taking an outcomes approach.

• WK2: The right deal for homeless people

OSW’s research to develop the ‘Right Deal’ to support homeless people off benefits and into sustainable employment.

• WK3: Economic impact of client involvement

Groundwell’s study of the potential benefits of client involvement: to the individual homeless person; to the organisation; and to society as a whole.

• WK4: Capability and Resilience among Single Homeless people

Crisis’ qualitative research capturing homeless peoples’ views on what builds their capabilities and resilience to help them help themselves out of homelessness.

• WK5: Resettlement issues faced by prisons

Revolving Doors Agency’s investigation in to the availability of support for people with complex needs leaving prison

What we know:

• WK6: Review of youth homelessness in the UK

First review in ten years into youth homelessness, by Centrepoint and the University of York, collating the national research and statistics available, and including a series of case studies and the views of a youth consultation panel.

• WK7: SNAP (Survey of needs and provision)

RIS and Homeless Link’s study pulling together available data on the extent and nature of the support services available for homeless people, how these services are funded and the support needs of clients.

• WK9: The causes, impacts and costs of homelessness for families, children and 16-17 year olds in England

Large scale CLG funded study by the University of York to understand the routes into homelessness, the pattern of support needs and the impacts and costs of homelessness on families and children.

• WK10: Report on the Views of Homeless and Vulnerably Housed People in Exeter

University of Exeter’s review of current provision and clients’ views of local services commissioned by a partnership of local agencies to inform decision making and future developments.

Delegates had the opportunity to:

• find out about how government uses research to inform the policy making process and what type of research they find most useful
• look at the contribution research has made to combating social exclusion and homelessness
• find out about new research findings in homelessness and related areas and their implications for policy and practice
• get practical ideas on how research can be used to inform policy and practice
• take part in a discussion about what the current evidence base tells us and where we need to move with research in the future
• network and share ideas.