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Rough Sleeping Estimates 2020 www.homeless.org.uk Let’s end homelessness together Completing your snapshot Tasmin Maitland and Bianca Claydon Homeless Link
Rough Sleeping Estimates 2020
www.homeless.org.uk Let’s end homelessness together
Completing your snapshot
Tasmin Maitland and Bianca Claydon
Homeless Link
Definition of rough sleeping
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People sleeping, about to bed down
(sitting on/in or standing next to their bedding)
or actually bedded down in the open air
(such as on the streets, in tents, doorways, parks,
bus shelters or encampments).
People in buildings or other places not designed
for habitation
(such as stairwells, barns, sheds, car parks, cars,
derelict boats, stations, or “bashes”).
Who isn’t included in the definition of rough sleeping?
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People who are:
in hostels, shelters, squats, campsites,
Traveller sites, organised protest sites
sofa surfing
sleeping on public transport
sleeping in locations not visible during a count-based
estimate
known to sleep rough sometimes, but not seen/known
to have bedded down on that night
The purpose is to record a single night snapshot.
Not all forms of homelessness are included.
Not every individual seen by services during Oct-Nov will be included.
Choosing your approach
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There are 3 approaches to choose from.
Each approach is a snapshot and will not record everyone
in the area with a history of rough sleeping during October
– November.
The choice depends on the local context of rough sleeping.
All areas, including RSI funded areas, can choose from any
of the three approaches:
Count-based estimate
Evidence-based estimate
Evidence-based estimate, including a spotlight count
Working with partner agencies
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Who to include?
•Outreach teams
•Hostels, day centres, night shelters
•Housing department
•Police
•Community safety teams
•Park rangers
•Faith groups, soup runs,
street pastors
•Advice agencies
•Housing associations
•Social Services, Youth Workers
•Probation
•Health and mental health services
•Refuse collectors, town centre / local
retail security/management, street
wardens
Where the approach involves no
independent partners , or only those
that are part of / commissioned by the
local authority, Homeless Link will not
be able to verify the process.
Verification
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Homeless Link arranges a Verifier in person or by phone
Verifiers are either staff, associates, or volunteers
All Verifiers are trained by us
Verifiers follow a code of conduct – see Resources for
Verifiers
Verification forms are available online for information only
Observers only
Verifier back at the count base first
Don’t submit to DELTA until you have received a
verification form from Homeless Link
DELTA submissions must match the data on the
verification form
Top tips
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Always use format “night of (x) into morning of (x)”
to avoid confusion
If you have any questions about the process or think
there might be disagreements among local partners,
talk to Homeless Link – [email protected]
Only include data/evidence from the ‘typical’ night
chosen
Choose a date in the Oct-Nov window
Communicate with your Verifier and Homeless Link in
advance
Ensure relevant data sharing protocols are in place to
allow information & intelligence to be shared
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Consider starting later (e.g. 2am) in areas with busy
night time economy
Always refer people back to the definition of rough
sleeping
Communicate with Homeless Link if any issues
arise (including severe weather, local lockdowns
etc) as this will affect your ‘typical’ night
Decline requests from local media to join the count.
No film crews or photographers on the count.
Read the latest Government advice on COVID-19
and follow this
Top tips
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September
Count-based estimate
Local Authority appoints a Coordinator
Allow at least 6 weeks to plan the count
Liaise with partners and neighbouring Local Authorities
Set date of the count – Only share on a ‘need to know’ basis.
Choose ‘typical night’ between 1st Oct - 30th Nov
Avoid disruption e.g. festivals, busy Friday nights, sporting
events, charity sleep-outs that might affect rough sleeping
Email Homeless Link to confirm the date and arrange a Verifier:
Set up a DELTA account for submitting your data or check you have access
to your account
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September
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Make contingency plans in case the count is unable to go ahead due to
anything related to COVID-19
Ask for volunteer counters – outreach, police, park rangers, voluntary
sector, council staff
Map local area, work with outreach or other intelligence to identify hotspots
and where count teams will go on the night
Identify issues with access (e.g. parks, stairwells, car parks) and ask police,
park rangers, security firms etc for access during the count
Agree Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) contingency plan if
in force on the night of the count e.g. re-schedule or submit an estimate
Count-based estimate
Two weeks before
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Confirm Homeless Link verifier and local counters, get contact details,
addresses and plan travel arrangements – Ensure counters have a suitable
face covering when travelling in a taxi.
Send ‘Briefing for Street Count Team and Volunteers’ to each counter
with instructions on where to meet, timing of the count and what transport
will be arranged
Contact Verifier to talk through plan for the count
Notify police of the count
Agree a plan for people found sleeping rough on the night e.g. access
to a hub, night shelter, B&B, or other emergency accommodation
Count-based estimate
Week of the count
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Check local restrictions and contact Homeless Link and the Homeless Link
verifier immediately if your area is on the list as the count will not be able to
go ahead
Book taxis to/from the count as needed for safety of all participants
Print a map for each count team showing their count area and hotspots
Prepare kit for counters e.g. torch and mobile phone, alarms and
reflective jackets/armbands if using, face coverings, and hand sanitiser
Produce packs for counters: map, pens, definition of rough sleeping,
H&S checklist, Rough Sleeping Count Forms, ID letter, any relevant local
services info, language chart, data protection statement
Count-based estimate
Week of the count
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Assign counting teams – Use smaller counting teams (2-3 people) in order
to follow social distancing.
Assign the Verifier to the team that will return first
At least one mobile team to respond to issues arising during the count e.g.
to take a rough sleeper to assessment/shelter
Assign at least one person to remain at the count base (usually the
Coordinator) to respond to queries and check in with teams.
Ensure all counters are familiar with the social distancing and self isolation
guidance prior to the count. Individuals should not attend the count if they
display any COVID-19 symptoms.
Count-based estimate
Night of the count
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Check availability of emergency accommodation/assessment hubs
Talk with the Verifier to run through plan for the night – rather than this
person this will be more suitable over the phone due to COVID-19
Ensure each counting team has a pack, torch and mobile phone
Deliver the health & safety briefing for Counters and introduce the Verifier
The safety briefing is crucial: take your time, answer questions
Discuss any COVID-19 related adjustments with everyone involved in the
count and ensure that COVID-19 risk management actions are explained
Agree check-in times with teams during the count
Count-based estimate
Night of the count
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Each returning team shows their Count Form to the Verifier before you
collect it
Agree demographic data (including unknowns) and a final figure with the
Verifier once all teams have returned#
Check that everyone has a safe route home
Verifier sends the Count Verification Form to Homeless Link the next
working day for review, Bianca then sends it to the local authority for DELTA
submission
Local Authority is responsible for submitting their data to MHCLG
using the DELTA online system no later than 11th December 2020 and after they have
received the reviewed verification form from [email protected]
Count-based estimate
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September
Evidence-based estimate
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Speak to outreach teams or other services re: risk of double counting across Local
Authority boundaries. This can be managed by estimating on the same night and using
an information sharing protocol
Identify local partners who will provide information towards the estimate e.g.
outreach, day centres, housing, advice centres, health services, police and PCSOs,
park wardens, soup runs
Choose date of the ‘typical night’ for the estimate between 1st Oct - 30th Nov, avoiding
things like festivals/sporting events/charity sleep-outs that might affect rough sleeping
Email Homeless Link to confirm the date of your ‘typical’ night and the date of the
estimate meeting: [email protected]
Set up a DELTA account for submitting your data or check you have access to
your account
September
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Tell local partners the date of the typical night for the estimate
Circulate Homeless Link’s Estimates Toolkit so that partner agencies understand
the snapshot approach and the rough sleeping definition
Arrange an estimate meeting after the ‘typical’ night, invite partners and ask them to
bring their data/intelligence
Arrange all estimate meetings online as a precaution.
Please ensure partner agencies are aware of this and are able to access the
relevant software for the estimate meeting to take place virtually.
Invite Homeless Link to the estimate meeting – provide the invitation link
Evidence-based estimate
October – November
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Check the weather forecast ahead of the chosen night – if there is severe weather
you might need to change the date so that it is still a ‘typical night’
Collect data for the night agreed at a meeting or via password protected email
Collate the data – resolve duplicates or conflicting information by speaking to the
partner agencies to assess which intelligence is more robust. Do this at the estimate
meeting if possible so it’s a transparent process.
Keep partner agencies informed so they understand how you have arrived at the
final figure.
Share information with neighbouring authorities to identify duplicates.
Evidence-based estimate
After the estimate
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If no Verifier attended your estimate meeting, agree a date with Homeless
Link for telephone verification
Confirm your demographic data and snapshot figure with Homeless Link
Homeless Link will complete an Estimate Verification Form and send it to the
Local Authority lead
Local Authority is responsible for submitting their data to MHCLG
using the DELTA online system no later than 11th December 2020 and after
they have received the reviewed verification form from
Evidence-based estimate
Follow the evidence-based
estimate guide and…
Including a spotlight count
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Make contingency plans in case the count is unable to go ahead due to COVID-19
Ensure the spotlight count takes place after midnight
Smaller teams during the spotlight count would be appropriate. There should also be a
reduced number of people at the count base, in order to follow social distancing.
There should be other sources of intelligence to inform the estimate,
as well as the spotlight count
Involving independent partners in the spotlight count increases credibility,
but is resource dependent. Independent partners must be part of the estimate meeting
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Count-based estimate scenario 1
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A group of counters return from their
patch, including members of the local
outreach team. They have not counted
any rough sleepers on the patch.
The outreach team, who are familiar
with the area, expected to see one
particular client at his regular site.
The outreach team ask if they can go
out a little later to see if this particular
rough sleeper has bedded down.
The count team could go out again to
revisit the sleep site if they are able to
return before the last count group return
Remind the counters that unless an
individual is seen bedded down they
cannot be counted – refer back to the
rough sleeping definition
Has there been any pre-count activity e.g.
by police or street cleaning moving rough
sleepers on or clearing sleeping sites?
Local Authorities should consider the
timing of their count, perhaps starting later
to give a better chance of counting people
when bedded down (e.g. 2-4am)
Count-based estimate scenario 2
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A group of counters return and report a
row of tents in their patch.
They have included 5 people on their
form because they spoke to them a few
times earlier in the week.
They didn’t make contact with people in
the tents during the count because they
were worried one person might become
aggressive.
Tents cannot be counted as a proxy for
people
Information gathered outside the count
can’t be used in place of seeing, or
making contact with, people on the night
People in tents don’t have to be seen but
they must speak to the counting team in
order to be included
If the team knew that there was a safety
risk, this should have informed the choice
of approach. An evidence-based estimate
might have been appropriate if there was
clear evidence who was in the tent but it
wouldn’t be safe to make contact during
the night.
Count-based estimate scenario 3
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All count teams are back at the base
and forms have been reviewed.
One of the counters goes home, and
calls shortly after to say they have seen
2 more people bedded down who
weren’t there earlier during the count.
The count has to have a finish time
The extra 2 people can’t be included as
the count has ended
The people might already have been
included in the count at a different site
It may be that the count started too early if
people were not yet bedded down
Count-based estimate scenario 4
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Count team finds someone who is
covered up and doesn’t wake in
response to them.
The person is breathing regularly.
They can’t work out gender, age
or nationality.
There is no requirement to wake people
Safety comes first
Respect people’s need to rest!
It’s completely fine to record the person
with demographics as ‘not known’
Ideally, an outreach team will look for
them again next day to offer support
They could ask Police to wake the person
if necessary and if there are safety
concerns
Count-based estimate scenario 5
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On the “typical night” SWEP (Severe
Weather Emergency Protocol) is active
and provision is available for all rough
sleepers to come in off the streets.
The count should be cancelled or
rearranged. It could be unsafe to send
count teams out in severe weather. It is no
longer a typical night.
If the count takes place, the count figure
can be used as intelligence for an
evidence-based estimate. An estimate
figure can be submitted for those counted
and those accessing the SWEP provision
Conducting counts and estimate earlier on
in the counts and estimates period might
reduce risk of SWEP being active – e.g.
during October
Count-based estimate scenario 6
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Counters have decided to visit areas
before midnight, and before the start of
the count, as part of a ‘pre-count’ to see
who is out.
Some individuals were found rough
sleeping during this ‘pre-count’ and
were offered emergency
accommodation and they accepted this
offer.
Counts should not start before midnight
and anybody seen before this time would
not be counted
Pre-count activity creates a risk of
disruption
Any individuals accommodated during the
‘pre-count’ may be required to be included
in your final figure as they would have
been counted if found later that night
If outreach teams usually contact
individuals during earlier evening ‘pre-
counts’ because they are not visible at
night, for example, then an evidence-
based estimate, including a spotlight
count would be appropriate
Evidence-based estimate scenario 1
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A homelessness service
attends the estimate meeting
with a list of individuals known
to rough sleep and are
accessing their services.
Some of the individuals
identified have not disclosed
their sleeping sites.
What circumstantial evidence is there that
someone is rough sleeping (habits, luggage)?
Promote StreetLink before the ‘typical’ night
and look at referrals to identify rough sleeping
hotspots
Engage local agencies, services and
businesses to find out about rough sleeping
hot spots which can be considered alongside
voluntary sector intelligence during the
estimate meeting
People have good reasons for sleeping in
hidden locations
Evidence-based estimate scenario 2
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A individual identified during the
estimate meeting is found to hold a
current tenancy.
Look at what evidence there is to suggest that
the individual was rough sleeping rather than
in their property on the night of the estimate.
Were seen bedded down? Were they with
known associates/friends?
If the individual was seen bedded down on the
night of the estimate they should be included
in the final estimate figure.
Check the definition of rough sleeping and
take into account the time they were seen as
they might be involved in street activity but not
sleeping rough
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A homelessness organisation
presents a large list of individuals at
the estimate meeting without robust
evidence that those identified are
currently rough sleeping.
What evidence can be used to
establish if they were sleeping
rough on the typical night chosen?
Clarify in advance with partners what
information is needed so the estimate meeting
is productive
List of hostel residents and people turned
away by hostels/shelters on that night
Hot spot counts/visits on night of/morning after
estimate, including park wardens
Who was in custody that night – Police or
probation intelligence
Services ask clients for more information on
sleep sites ahead of the estimate night
Intelligence from other support services
Some evidence can be sourced following the
estimate meeting
Evidence-based estimate scenario 3
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Publish Guidance Sept
Q&A Sessions (Zoom) Sept
Phone & email support Sept - Dec
Webinars Sept
Confirm approach & date Sept - Oct
Verify in person or by phone Oct - Dec
Certify on DELTA Nov - Dec
Homeless Link’s roleHomeless Link’s role:
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Guidance & support
www.homeless.org.uk/our-
work/resources/rough-sleeping-estimates
Upcoming online events
Webinar: 2020 Update
This will cover any COVID-19 related adjustments and other updates
www.homeless.org.uk/webinar-estimates-2020-update
Thursday, 24 September 2020
Online | 3.00 – 4.00pm
September Q&A Sessions
Drop-in Q&A sessions for support and information about Rough Sleeping Estimates
www.homeless.org.uk/rough-sleeping-counts-estimates-sept-qa-sessions
Various dates throughout September
Rough Sleeping Estimates 2020
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Completing your snapshot
Thank you for listening
Contact Bianca: [email protected]
