Tenancy Sustainment Policy
North Lanarkshire Council · 31 August 2022
Back to Housing Committee — 31 August 2022 and its agenda
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Housing Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref SL//LS/AMcG Date 31/08/22 Tenancy Sustainment Policy From Stephen Llewellyn, Head of Housing Solutions E-mail llewellyns@northlan.gov.uk Telephone 01698 274192 1. Background 1.1 The Scottish Government have published guidance aimed at tenancy sustainment through the prevention and alleviation of homelessness. This was supported by the introduction of the Ending Homelessness Together Action Plan setting out a radical shift in homeless policy direction and led to the development of Rapid Rehousing Transition Plans (RRTP’s). Further legal Prevention of Homelessness duties are also in development and will be implemented once they have been approved by the Scottish Parliament and given Royal Assent. Executive Summary This Tenancy Sustainment Policy has been developed in response to the continued focus on tenancy sustainment, particularly at a time when many of our tenants and wider residents are facing extreme pressures and may require assistance. The intention is to provide a clear overarching framework which sets out North Lanarkshire Council’s Housing Service’s proactive approach to tenancy sustainment and its commitment to preventing homelessness whenever possible. This report seeks approval from Committee to implement the Policy and associated sustainment and homeless prevention activity. Recommendations It is recommended that the Housing Committee: (1) Approve the Tenancy Sustainment Policy (attached as an appendix). (2) Note the ongoing monitoring arrangements and annual review process. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority Improve the health and wellbeing of our communities Ambition statement (13) Improve preventative approaches including self-management and giving people information and choice over supports and services
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1.2 The guidance and action plans are intended to ensure that anyone who approaches a social landlord with a housing problem, is assisted to look at the widest range of housing options and solutions available; and consider the best and most sustainable option for them focussing on early intervention and collaboration. 1.3 The Housing Service must also meet the compliance standards set out by the Scottish Housing Regulator for managing social housing contained within the Scottish Social Housing Charter (ARC) which includes the delivery of housing options, tenancy sustainment and homeless prevention advice and activity. 1.4 Tenancy sustainment and the prevention of homelessness is a key focus of the Local Housing Strategy 2021-2026 and encompasses a series of actions aimed at improving housing options and prevention activity. The RRTP also sets out the approach by all partners to effectively address and prevent homelessness through collaboration and targeted up-stream early intervention. 2. Report 2.1 This policy has been developed to provide a clear overarching framework which sets out North Lanarkshire Council’s Housing Services proactive approach to tenancy sustainment and its commitment to homeless prevention, especially at a time when many of our tenants and wider residents are facing extreme pressures due to the cost- of-living crisis and may require assistance to prevent them from becoming homeless. 2.2 The Housing Service recognises that sustaining a home requires a range of life skills and that some people may lack the required skills or experience difficulties accessing support. There may also be changes in circumstances or periods of crisis where tenants are vulnerable and experience difficulties in sustaining their home. 2.3 There are known risk factors to early tenancy failure such as poverty, debt and domestic abuse as well as particular household types that may need assistance to sustain their home such as care experienced young people, those with disabilities, poor mental health or an addiction issue. There are also other causes of tenancy breakdown such as allocations in unwanted areas, property condition or a lack of furniture. 2.4 Tenancy breakdown is a failed opportunity for everyone and represents a real cost in financial and resourcing terms as well as human and social terms. Research illustrates that people who become homeless are stigmatised and are likely to be affected by poor mental health and wellbeing which impacts on their ability to sustain any future accommodation. Tenancy failure and homelessness is a vicious circle with escalating costs for the person themselves, the Housing Service and wider services within the council and partners. There is therefore a commitment to minimising the number of failed tenancies by ensuring that tenants have access to services that can meet their needs. 2.5 The delivery of this tenancy sustainment policy is intended to achieve the following outcomes: • Minimise tenancy breakdowns, evictions, and abandonments • Prevent housing crisis and homelessness • Improve the health and wellbeing of people in our communities • Promote stable and sustainable communities • Improve inclusion and tackling inequalities across North Lanarkshire • Minimise void levels, void rent loss and associated costs
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2.6 We are committed to achieving the outcomes outlined above which are underpinned by five key principles: • Housing Options – we will work with households to identify realistic housing options and empower them to make informed decisions about the best options for them. • Prevention – We will identify potential vulnerabilities and/or sustainment issues as early as possible, for example prior to sign up, at the start of the tenancy or at any point during a tenancy where risk factors are identified. • Early Intervention – We will have robust systems in place for identifying vulnerable tenants or tenants at risk of tenancy failure and will develop referral pathways to ensure appropriate support is put in place. • Tenancy Support – We will ensure the relevant support is provided, either directly or through referral mechanisms to other statutory or voluntary organisations. • Partnership Working – We will enhance our networks and partnerships and jointly agree referral routes or signposting to ensure our tenants have access to a range of support services to help them sustain their home. 2.7 This policy will be subject to monitoring and review on an annual basis to ensure effective implementation and support the development of best practice in tenancy sustainment and homeless prevention activity. 3. Measures of success 3.1 It is anticipated that implementing this policy will ensure that tenants and residents will continue to have access to good quality housing options advice and assistance that will prevent tenancy breakdown and homelessness and reduce the impact of trauma. 4. Supporting documentation 4.1 Appendix - Tenancy Sustainment Policy. Stephen Llewellyn Head of Housing Solutions
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5. Impacts ( http://connect/report-template-guidance ) 5.1 Public Sector Equality Duty and Fairer Scotland Duty Does the report contain information that has an impact as a result of the Public Sector Equality Duty and/or Fairer Scotland Duty? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? An Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA) has been carried out for the Policy and no negative equalities or social economic implications were identified. There are areas where the policy will have a positive impact and will be progressed as part of operational delivery. A Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) and a Health Inequalities Impact Assessment (HIA) was also carried out to help further identify potential impact and inform priorities and operational practice. If Yes, has an assessment been carried out and published on the council’s website? https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/your-community/equalities/equality-and-fairer- scotland-duty-impact-assessments Yes ☒ No ☐ 5.2 Financial impact Does the report contain any financial impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant financial impacts have been discussed and agreed with Financial Solutions? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts have been discussed and agreed with People and Organisational Development? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.4 Legal impact Does the report contain any legal impacts (such as general legal matters, statutory considerations (including employment law considerations), or new legislation)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant legal impacts have been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic Solutions? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? There are already existing legal and regulatory requirements on the Housing Service to assist tenants and local residents to sustain their home. This policy is intended to re-enforce those obligations and formally confirm our commitment to homeless prevention. Further legislation is currently in development by the Scottish Government and a Prevention of Homelessness Bill will be brought forward in due course. This will be discussed, and impacts identified with Legal and Democratic Solutions at that time.
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5.5 Data protection impact Does the report / project / practice contain or involve the processing of personal data? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, is the processing of this personal data likely to result in a high risk to the data subject? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, has a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) been carried out and e- mailed to dataprotection@northlan.gov.uk Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.6 Technology / Digital impact Does the report contain information that has an impact on either technology, digital transformation, service redesign / business change processes, data management, or connectivity / broadband / Wi-Fi? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Where the impact identifies a requirement for technology, has an assessment been carried out (or scheduled) by the Enterprise Architecture Governance Group (EAGG)? Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.7 Environmental / Carbon impact Does the report / project / practice contain information that has an impact on any environmental or carbon matters? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? This policy is intended to work with tenants and residents to help them sustain their home and may involve advice and support to tackle fuel poverty and debt issues. 5.8 Communications impact Does the report contain any information that has an impact on the council’s communications activities? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.9 Risk impact Is there a risk impact? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the key risks and potential impacts, highlighting where the risk(s) are assessed and recorded (e.g., Corporate or Service or Project Risk Registers), and how they are managed? There exists risk in relation to failure to provide effective tenancy sustainment services and supports. This risk is captured and recorded as part of the risks associated with the implementation of the Local Housing Strategy (2021-2026) and is actioned accordingly.
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Tenancy Sustainment Policy Author Audrey McGuinness Contact details McGuinnessAu@northlan.gov.uk Owner Lynsey Smith Smithlyns@northlan.gov.uk Date 04/07/22 Version number 1 Document status Final Governance Committee Housing Committee Date approved Pending approval at Housing Committee 31/8/22 Review date Sept 2023 Strategic Alignment Outcome: Improve the health and wellbeing of our communities Action: Improve preventative appraches including self-management and giving people information and choice over supports and services.
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Change record Consultation process Additional consultation opportunities to be identified as the policy is embedded in practice Stakeholders Contacts identified for each service Audrey McGuinness - Housing Services Staff - North Lanarkshire Rapid Rehousing Steering Group - Health & Social Care Partnership Housing Solutions, Enterprise and Communities, NLC Distribution Housing Services Staff North Lanarkshire Rapid Rehousing Steering Group Health & Homelessness Group Date Author Change made
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1. Introduction This policy has been developed in response to the continued focus on tenancy sustainment, particularly at a time when many of our tenants are facing extreme pressures and may require assistance. The intention of this policy is to provide a clear overarching framework which sets out North Lanarkshire Council’s Housing Service proactive approach to tenancy sustainment and its commitment to homeless prevention. North Lanarkshire Council recognises that creating a home and maintaining a tenancy is not just about living in a council house. Sustaining a home requires a range of life skills, access to services and support at appropriate times. We also recognise that some people may require some support to develop the required skills to sustain a tenancy, may not know about services available or experience difficulties accessing suitable support. Additionally, people may experience changes in circumstances within their household or be affected by financial instability or periods of crisis. It is in these scenarios that tenants may become vulnerable, experience difficulties in managing or sustaining their homes and may be at risk of homelessness. The Housing Service views any tenancy breakdown as a failed opportunity for all concerned and represents a real cost not only in financial and resourcing terms but also in human and social terms. We are therefore committed to minimising the number of failed tenancies by supporting vulnerable tenants, ensuring they have access to the services that can meet their needs and assist them to successfully maintain their home. 2. Legislative and Regulatory Context The Scottish Government have published a range of statutory and non-statutory guidance aimed at tenancy sustainment through the prevention and alleviation of homelessness. The Homeless Prevention Guidance and the Housing Options Guidance were key drivers in changing practice across Scotland. Their purpose is to ensure that anyone who approaches a social landlord with a housing problem, is assisted to look at the widest range of housing options and solutions available; and consider the best and most sustainable option for them focussing on preventing homelessness wherever possible through early intervention and collaboration with partners. This guidance was further supported by the publication of The Ending Homelessness Together Action Plan which set out a radical shift in homeless policy direction and a renewed focus on prevention and sustaining tenancies. This led to the requirement of every local authority to produce a Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan (RRTP). A Prevention Duty on all public sector partners is also in development with a consultation process completed and introduction of a Housing Bill likely in 2023. Essentially, as a local authority, we are not just responsible for helping our own tenants to sustain their home, but also have a duty to help those who live in other tenures to sustain their home where possible too.
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The Housing Service must also meet the compliance standards for managing social housing contained within the Scottish Social Housing Charter (ARC). The standards relate to the properties themselves as well as the management of the tenants who reside in them. The relevant standards for tenancy sustainment are as follows: • Outcome 1: Equalities – Tenants and other customers have their individual needs recognised, are treated fairly and with respect, and receives fair access to housing and housing providers. • Outcomes 7, 8 & 9: Housing Options – People looking for housing get information that helps them make informed choices and decisions about the range of housing options available to them, Tenants and people on housing lists can review their housing options, and people at risk of losing their homes get advice on preventing homelessness. • Outcome 10: Access to Social Housing – People looking for housing find it easy to apply for the widest choice of social housing available and get the information they need on how the landlord allocates homes and their prospects of being housed. • Outcome 11: Tenancy Sustainment – Tenants get the information they need on how to obtain support to remain in their home and ensure suitable support is available, including services provided directly by the landlord and by other organisations. • Outcome 12: Homelessness – homeless people get prompt and easy access to help and advice; and are provided with suitable, good-quality temporary or emergency accommodation when this is needed; and are offered continuing support to help them get and keep the home they are entitled to. • Outcome 13: Value for Money – Tenants, owners and other customers receive services that provide continually improving value for the rent and other charges they pay. 3. Local Context Tenancy sustainment is a key focus of the Local Housing Strategy 2021-2026 and encompasses a series of actions aimed at improving housing options and prevention activity as well as increasing awareness of services across the population of North Lanarkshire. The Housing Service is also the lead partner for developing and implementing the North Lanarkshire RRTP. The RRTP sets out the council’s and wider partners approach to effectively addressing and preventing homelessness through collaboration and targeted up-stream early intervention. The actions and activity are managed through the RRTP Steering Group which consists of representatives from within the Council and wider statutory partners as well as housing associations and the third and independent sectors. The partnership response has enabled significant positive progress to date, however further work to embed early intervention and good practice is ongoing. The Steering
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Group regularly reviews performance and continues to develop approaches to sustaining tenancies across the various partners. 4. Definition of Tenancy Sustainment & Risk Factors Tenancy Sustainment is a generic term for the prevention of tenancy breakdown or failure. Failed tenancies can be disastrous for the tenant who may end of homeless and find it difficult to secure another tenancy. Tenancy failure is also harmful to the Council because it wastes resources due to additional and unnecessary voids and increases pressure on homelessness services. The Scottish Housing Regulator defines a failed tenancy if it ends by eviction, abandonment, or early termination (tenancy lasts less than 12 months). Whilst the Housing Service records all early terminations as failed tenancies as reported within the ARC, we recognise that not all terminations are avoidable and that there may be specific reasons why people give up their tenancies early, such as domestic abuse or illness as well as more positive reasons such as moving away for a new job or moving in with a partner. The cost of a failed tenancy can be high for both the tenant and the Council. Every failed tenancy represents: • The human cost to the person who again finds themselves in need of accommodation and may now have additional issues to overcome such as former tenancy debt. • Rent loss during the time the property is empty. • Costs incurred associated with the re-letting of the property. • In some cases, legal costs. • Abortive resource commitments. There are known risk factors in relation to early tenancy failure, and particular household types may need help or assistance in sustaining their tenancies. The list below are some example issues that a household may be experiencing: • Addiction problems • Care experienced • Debt and financial exclusion • Disabilities • Domestic abuse • Ex-offenders • Families with support needs • Fuel poverty • Harassment or abuse • Isolation and loneliness • Lacking in local connections and networks • Learning difficulties • Mental health concerns • Older people with support needs • Poverty
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• Previous homelessness • Young people • Young parents In addition to the known risk factors, there are other causes of tenancy breakdown such as: • Allocations in unwanted areas • Dissatisfaction with property condition • Inability to secure adequate furniture and equipment • Lack of support with resettlement and setting up home • Insufficient information sharing and partnership working • Anti-social behaviour Evidence gathered over many years illustrates that people who become homeless are stigmatised and are likely to be affected by poor mental health and wellbeing which impacts on their ability to sustain any future accommodation. Tenancy failure and homelessness is a vicious circle with escalating costs for the person themselves, the Housing Service and wider services within the Council and partners. It is therefore in everyone’s best interests to work collaboratively with tenants and residents to help them sustain their home. 5. Aims and Objectives The main aim of this policy is to ensure an effective housing operation service that meets legal obligations but is also proactive and committed to tenancy sustainment. Our objectives are to: • Prevent tenancies from breaking down, prevent homelessness and minimise the costs associated with tenancy failure through the provision of good quality information, advice, and support. • Ensure prospective tenants have access to good quality housing options to enable them to make informed choices and decisions about their home. • Support vulnerable tenants to live independently, safely, and securely. • Implement robust processes to allow early identification of potential vulnerabilities. • Provide trauma responsive services to households at risk of tenancy failure and ensure they are provided with appropriate support. • Prevent and reduce adverse childhood experiences to help children and families to thrive. • Provide customer focused, tailored services and a range of flexible responses that meet the tenant’s individual needs. • Maximise the resources and services available to tenants to assist them to manage their home successfully. • Collaborate with partners to ensure co-ordinated and comprehensive services that meet the needs of tenants. • Maximise financial inclusion and promote financial awareness.
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• Promote personal independence and wellbeing and assist tenants to maximise their life opportunities. These objectives are underpinned by 5 key principles • Housing Options – we will work with households to identify realistic housing options and empower them to make informed decisions about the best options for them. • Prevention – We will identify potential vulnerabilities and/or sustainment issues as early as possible, for example prior to sign up, at the start of the tenancy or at any point during a tenancy where risk factors are identified. • Early Intervention – We will have robust systems in place for identifying vulnerable tenants or tenants at risk of tenancy failure and will develop referral pathways to ensure appropriate support is put in place. • Tenancy Support – We will ensure the relevant support is provided, either directly or through referral mechanisms to other statutory or voluntary organisations. • Partnership Working – We will enhance our networks and partnerships and jointly agree referral routes or signposting to ensure our tenants have access to a range of support services to help them sustain their home. 6. Outcomes The delivery of the principles and objectives of this tenancy sustainment policy are intended to achieve the following outcomes: • Minimise tenancy breakdowns, evictions, and abandonments • Prevent housing crisis and homelessness • Improve the health and wellbeing of people in our communities • Promote stable and sustainable communities • Improve inclusion and tackling inequalities across North Lanarkshire • Minimise void levels, void rent loss and associated costs 7. Policy Scope This policy sets out North Lanarkshire Council’s Housing Service approach to tenancy sustainment. We understand that the current climate is challenging for our tenants and wider communities and that there is increasing pressure on family finances due to the cost-of-living crisis. We will therefore ensure the early identification of those at risk of tenancy failure and collaborate with households and wider partners to ensure housing crisis is avoided through the delivery of a co-ordinated approach to housing options, advice and information and support.
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8. Equalities, Human Rights and Impact We apply a human rights approach to tenancy sustainment within Housing Services. We recognise that some of our tenants are affected by multiple exclusion and may have difficulty managing a tenancy. We will therefore promote equal rights to everyone who approach our service for assistance. All households will be treated with dignity and respect, will be listened to; and will be provided with advice, assistance, and guidance to enable them to make informed decisions about the help and support they may need to sustain their home. The Equality Act 2010 places statutory duties on the Council to ensure its functions and related services offer fair access and inclusion through the: • Elimination of unlawful discrimination, harassment, or victimisation. • Advancement of equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. • Fostering of good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. An Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA) has been completed to identify any potential adverse impacts on people with/or groups who share a protected characteristic and any opportunities in which to strengthen and promote equalities. This assessment included an assessment of the Fairer Scotland Duty and Human Rights. Two further impact assessments have been completed for this policy given the scope and impact it will have on vulnerable groups. This includes a Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) and a Health Impact Assessment (HIA). A summary of the EqIA can be found on the council’s website and the full impact assessments are available on request. 9. Our Approach to Tenancy Sustainment Social landlords have a legal and moral responsibility to recognise the individual needs of tenants and customers and must treat them fairly and in a respectful manner. These responsibilities are the cornerstone of delivering housing services to people in our communities. We believe that households should be able to approach our services for help whenever they have a housing problem and that our response is compassionate, flexible, and supportive; where practical advice, guidance or assistance is provided, and solutions identified to prevent housing crisis. Housing Options We will provide good quality housing options advice and guidance at an early stage that enables people to make informed decisions about the best and most sustainable housing solutions for them. This will involve discussing the various options across tenures to help the customer understand the positives and negatives of each option
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and ensure the advice provided is practical and meets the individual needs of the person and their family circumstances. We will provide a written record of the discussion through an individualised Personal Housing Plan which will help support the customer on their housing journey. This plan will detail the practical steps needed to deliver the agreed housing option. This may involve the completion of a CHR application and advice on allocations and waiting lists; or it may involve assistance with access to private lets through letting agents or advertisements or may even involve assistance to access home ownership and mortgage options. Prevention & Sustainability Locality housing practitioners use a Prevention and Sustainability (PAS) tool when people approach the service for information, advice, and assistance. This tool assists in identifying risk factors and potential support needs and enables targeted housing advice and support as well as referral to other services if needed. It is a critical tool to ensuring early risk identification and intervention. Sometimes people approach our services seeking help with a situation that they believe to be beyond resolution. People in these situations can be vulnerable and find it difficult to engage with services that can help them. The Housing Service has been progressing a trauma informed approach to the delivery of our front-line services and our staff will take a trauma informed and compassionate approach to the household and discuss the details to understand how they can help. They will ascertain if there are potential solutions and will then actively engage with any relevant individual or agencies to resolve the potential homelessness. This may involve discussion and negotiation with a private landlord or mortgage lender, or may require referral and access to support agencies so that the individual can be assisted to sustain their current home such as financial inclusion, debt or money advice, mental health support, adaptations, technology, or equipment required due to a disability, access to addiction services, etc. In the case of NLC tenants this may involve making a repayment arrangement for rent arrears or access to housing or other support to aid tenancy sustainment, for example assistance to learn independent living skills or social work intervention. We are also aware that some people seeking our assistance will be particularly vulnerable, for example families fleeing domestic abuse or those with no recourse to public funds. In these circumstances we will ensure our approach is considered and sensitive and will actively seek to prevent further trauma and distress. We recognise that it is sometimes not possible to help people remain in their current home and in this event, our aim is to prevent housing crisis. We will therefore provide practical advice and assistance to aid a smooth transition to alternative accommodation preventing homelessness wherever possible. Homelessness Our aim is to prevent homelessness whenever possible, but we understand that there will be occasions when this is not achievable or is not a safe place for a household to remain.
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In these situations, we will ensure households are supported to access help and advice. We will provide suitable, good-quality temporary or emergency accommodation that meets the households needs if required and will endeavour to seek permanent settled housing as quickly as possible to minimise time spent in temporary accommodation. We will also provide relevant support to help the household move on successfully from homelessness and make referrals and linkages to other services should these be needed. Housing & Tenancy Support We recognise that difficult housing circumstances can have a devastating impact on households and in particular, children within families. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and trauma can be long-term and challenging to overcome. Deep-rooted inequalities are interlinked with housing difficulties such as poverty, disability, fuel poverty, ethnicity and sexuality and can exacerbate housing problems. We will therefore ensure our response takes account of the inter-connectedness and impact of these challenges and provide focused and trauma informed support interventions to resolve housing issues and tackle inequalities. We will work in partnership with statutory and voluntary agencies to enable holistic service provision with the aim of improving safety, health, and wellbeing outcomes. Partnership working Partnership working is fundamental to preventing and alleviating homelessness and this is clearly demonstrated within our LHS and RRTP plan which outlines the strategic and operational commitments of all agencies involved. We are committed to working with other council services and a wider range of partners to achieve the best possible outcomes for those at risk of tenancy failure or those who become homeless. Our aim will be to tackle issues and put the relevant support or interventions into practice to prevent the situation from re-occurring. The partnerships involved are varied and wide ranging and will include the following: • Health & Social Care Services • NHS Lanarkshire • RSL’s and Housing Associations • Private Landlords • Mortgage Lenders • Citizens Advice Bureaux • Money Advice Services • Adaptations, Equipment and Technology providers • Department of Work & Pensions • Police Scotland • Domestic Abuse Services • Scottish Welfare Fund
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• Furniture Providers • Support Agencies • Employment Agencies • Other third sector voluntary and charitable organisations Training The Housing Service is committed to ensuring our staff can respond effectively to prevent and alleviate homelessness. Workforce development plans are continually reviewed and incorporate a varied range of learning programmes, but specifically includes trauma informed practice, which is jointly delivered with our partner agencies and will continue to be rolled out across our operational teams. The ethos of tenancy sustainment is underpinned by the delivery of quality housing options and early interventions that can prevent tenancy failure and subsequent homelessness. The national Housing Options Training Toolkit was launched earlier this year and provides holistic learning opportunities with a focus on skills, behaviours, and practical assistance to housing advice staff at a local level. Housing Options activity is further supported by locality HUBS across the country and continuously reviewed National Housing Options Guidance. Evaluation and Monitoring This policy will be subject to regular review and monitoring, to ensure effective implementation and relevance and to support best practice in tenancy sustainment and homeless prevention. This policy will be monitored through the review of PAS and homeless data as well as other information collected through our partnerships on a regular basis and will be used to inform the future development of the policy as part of an annual review process.