Decision details

11.1

The Strategic Director Adult Care and Wellbeing, supported by Michael Corbishley and Hannah Crossan-Smith (The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales) presented a report providing information about and seeking endorsement for the Council’s partnership with The Royal Foundation Homewards Programme.

The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales have launched Homewards: a transformative five-year, locally led programme that will aim to demonstrate that together it’s possible to end homelessness – making it rare, brief and unrepeated.

Sheffield is one of only six locations selected by The Royal Foundation along with Newport, Northern Ireland, Aberdeen, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and Lambeth.

11.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-

(a) notes the Homewards Sheffield programme, its aims and ambitions and progress made;

(b) endorses Sheffield City Council’s involvement in the Homewards Sheffield Programme and partnership with The Royal Foundation;

(c) notes that once the Local Action Plan is developed, implications of the Plan will be considered by the Strategic Director Adult Care and Wellbeing including any approvals required; and

(d) requests that the Strategic Director Adult Care and Wellbeing provides an update in 12 months on delivery of the programme.

11.3

Reasons for Decision

11.3.1

The Homewards Programme provides the opportunity to accelerate improving the prevention outcomes for customers and making transformative change to systems and services. It provides the opportunity to work with individuals at an earlier point where there is a greater chance to identify the underlying causes, tackle hidden homelessness and manage the risk of housing insecurity. 

11.3.2

Endorsement of the Councils involvement in the programme, enables the Council to work with Homewards Sheffield to agree a Local Action Plan, Coalition and Governance which will provide the foundations to enable delivery of a transformation programme for Sheffield.

11.3.3

Asking for an update in 12 months will provide transparency and assurance regards delivery upon the programme.

11.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

11.4.1

Alternative Option: To not endorse Sheffield City Council involvement in the Homewards Programme. Although the Council currently has no formal arrangements, in the form of contracts and Memorandum of Understanding. However, the Programme is high profile and the Council’s involvement is well known, not endorsing the Programme would result in significant reputational damage. In addition, the Programme will support the Council in upstreaming prevention and will support the delivery of the Homeless Prevention Strategy. Therefore, it is recommended the option of not endorsing is discounted.