Service Integration in a regional homelessness service system
Overview of a joint research project between Northern Rivers Social Development Council and
the Regional Futures Institute, SCU
Funded under the National Homelessness Research Fund
• “In developing the
[Homelessness Action] Plan, the NSW Government has prioritised cross-agency collaboration”.
“[The Plan seeks to] build the capacity of the overall service system and workforce to deliver integrated responses”
NSW HOMELESSNESS ACTION PLAN 2010-2014
Service Integration –
Central To NSW Homelessness Policy
.....linking, collaborating, networking, coordinating, cooperating, connecting, interacting, sharing, partnering, working together.....
Service Integration
• What service integration practices work in regional areas?
• What are the enablers and barriers to service integration in a regional setting?
• What is the potential for increased cross sector integration in a regional setting?
Research Questions
Identified Service integration Strategies
• Service Level Agreements• Mous• Tenancy support services• Co-location of services• Sector website• Networks/interagencies• Integrated case
management• Shared training
• Reconnect• Housing Pathways• Consortiums• Health outreach teams• Peer Service Reviews• Supported housing• HASI• Service hubs• Cross sector
partnerships
• Competition for resources• Time constraints• Tight eligibility• Access to information• Access to transport• Lack of trust/support with real
estate agents• Securing commitment of senior
staff• Fear of increased demand
‘opening the flood gate’• Difficulty maintaining links
Other Barriers
(ranke1. Regular communication, networking,
relationship building opps2. Partnership agreements and MOUs3. Access to current service
information4. Access to housing
Willingness to work collaborativelyJoint planningAccess to & involvement of government personnelCoordinated case management and referral
5. Dedicated coordination facilitators
Critical factors (ranked)
• Integrated Case Management
• Networks including web-assisted information & communication Tools
• Project based working groups
• Service hubs• Integrated Aboriginal and
Mainstream Services
Service integration Priorities(stage 3)
• SI strategies employed in NR – operational level, relationship driven, support-only
• Not about ‘what’ models work . SI relies on place based capacity – opps and limitations
• Operational level SI requires supporting system level SI
• SI takes time and resources• SI requires leadership• Good relationships are critical
Some conclusions
Local and Regional Advocacy Stronger Linkages - local,
State & Commonwealth Govt, housing providers, industry
Local/regional data collection and research
Sector training and development opportunities
Web based information & communication tools inc. clearinghouse
Sector priorities
Trish Evans
Northern Rivers Social Development Council
[email protected]: 66 201830
0447 212245
Questions?
Thank you