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

trish.evans@nrsdc.org.auPh: 66 201830

0447 212245

Questions?

Thank you