A year after relaunch: StreetLink's impact and vision ahead

StreetLink rough sleeping

As we look back on the developments since the relaunch of StreetLink on 30th September 2023, we are proud of the strides made in making it easier for people to help individuals sleeping rough and for individuals to get help for themselves. It’s important, however, to outline our ongoing commitment to addressing homelessness - with over 3,800 people estimated to be sleeping rough on any given night, it’s clear there’s still much work to be done. Our focus remains steadfast on enhancing services and support for individuals sleeping rough. We understand the complexities of homelessness and are determined to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.

A year of progress

Since launching our enhanced platform on 30 September 2023, StreetLink has processed over 100,000 alerts, successfully connecting nearly 16,000 individuals with vital support services. This represents a success rate of approximately 21% across 323 active local authorities. Notably, 83% of alerts were made by members of the public, demonstrating the community's commitment to helping those in need. We have consistently achieved above 90% H-CLIC returns, which highlights our dedication to providing accurate and timely data to inform our efforts in combating homelessness. The introduction of features such as real-time messaging and an automated H-CLIC compliance checker has significantly improved the user experience, enabling us to respond effectively to alerts and streamline our operations. Our agile approach to development has allowed us to adapt swiftly to user needs and feedback, ensuring the platform remains effective and accessible.

Collaborative partnerships

This year has also seen the strengthening of our partnerships with organisations dedicated to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness. Our collaboration with StreetVet and Street Paws has enabled us to better serve individuals sleeping rough with pets or animal companions by allowing users to indicate this during the alert process. This improvement ensures that no one, whether human or animal, is left behind.

Geographic differences and challenges

Our discussions with outreach teams highlighted significant geographic differences in system functionality. Outside of London, there is a strong desire for StreetLink to enhance case management capabilities, enabling local authorities to move away from spreadsheets and other offline systems. In London, we have initiated successful pilot programmes to improve the triage process, granting outreach teams direct access to alerts, which was rolled out across the city in April 2024. We have learned that integrating technology into daily operations can help outreach teams find and assist individuals sleeping rough more efficiently. By continually seeking feedback and insights from the field, we aim to refine our approach and better meet the needs of those we serve.

Strengthening services through feedback

Our commitment to continuous improvement remains strong. We have listened to feedback from outreach teams, local authorities, and the public to make impactful changes. Recent enhancements include:

• Improved duplicate alert process: Streamlined to reduce confusion and ensure efficiency in handling multiple reports about the same individual.

• Enhancements to the public referral form: Made more user-friendly to facilitate quicker and more accurate submissions.

• Public knowledge hub: A comprehensive resource aimed at educating the public on how to use StreetLink effectively and understand its purpose.

Additionally, we are excited to announce the launch of our educational social media campaign series, which is now live. This initiative aims to help the public understand what makes a good quality alert when reporting individuals sleeping rough. The campaign sheds light on the purpose of StreetLink and highlights the crucial work undertaken by local authorities and outreach teams in finding and assisting those in need. Resources from the campaign are also available for download in the Public Knowledge Hub, enabling the community to access valuable information easily. By improving the quality of information in alerts, we hope to ensure that individuals sleeping rough can be located and supported more quickly.

Local authority perspectives

As Tom Polhill from Chichester District Council noted,

“StreetLink enables a rapid response to street homeless and allows the outreach team to engage individuals to ensure there is ‘no second night out.’ Engagement with the community is a high priority for Chichester District Council. StreetLink provides an opportunity for everyone to play a part in tackling homelessness.”

This sentiment reflects our shared commitment to collaboration and community involvement in addressing homelessness.

Looking ahead

As we move forward, our dedicated support team remains committed to addressing the queries and needs of our users and the public. To build on the success of this project, future plans include:

• AI integration: Introducing artificial intelligence to predict rough sleeping trends and enhance early intervention.

• Continuous feedback: Engaging with rough sleepers and service providers regularly to refine and improve the system.

• Holistic support system: Continuing to work with our partners and expand our community to offer comprehensive support.

• Mental health and addiction support: Ensuring outreach workers can connect rough sleepers to support services based on their specific needs, promoting long-term stability.

• Employment and skills training: Providing job training and access to employment opportunities to help rough sleepers reintegrate into society.

Wider plans also include collaborating with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on other rough sleeping initiatives, such as the Vulnerability Assessment pilot. The mission to end homelessness is ongoing, and we invite local authorities, outreach teams, and the public to join us in this collective effort. By reporting individuals sleeping rough via StreetLink and indicating if pets are present, we can work together to ensure that every person has access to the support they need.

Conclusion

The one-year anniversary of the StreetLink relaunch is not just a milestone; it is a testament to our collective efforts and commitment to creating lasting change. We look forward to building on this foundation, learning from our experiences, and striving for a future where homelessness is a thing of the past. For more information on how to get involved or to report rough sleeping effectively, please visit thestreetlink.org.uk.

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