As part of their COVID-19 homeless-health series, NHS England & NHS Improvement recently facilitated a event called Safeguarding for People Experiencing Homelessness (13 July 2020).
The event shared the latest practice learning, knowledge and top tips gathered during the response to COVID-19 for those experiencing homelessness. This included discussion of:
the issues, priorities and challenges of safeguarding as we approach the next phase of accommodating rough sleepers
the responsibilities of those who work in homelessness, housing, health and social care to safeguard those who are risk of experiencing abuse or neglect (including self-neglect)
practice examples in safeguarding
good practice tips and resources for safeguarding as we approach the next phase of accommodating those who experiencing homelessness, including a new prototype safeguarding toolkit
Contributors included:
Michael Preston-Shoot, Emeritus Professor of Social Work, University of Bedfordshire
Gill Taylor, Strategic Lead for Homelessness and Vulnerable Adults, London Borough of Haringey
Bruno Ornelas, Head of Safeguarding and Services, Voices of Stoke / Brighter Futures Housing Association