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Report to: |
East Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board |
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Date of meeting:
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29 September 2022 |
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By: |
Director of Adult Social Care and Health |
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Title: |
Health and wellbeing inequalities of residents at Kendal Court, Newhaven and homeless people accommodated by Brighton and Hove City Council in temporary accommodation in East Sussex
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Purpose: |
To update the Health and Wellbeing Board on the current situation in respect of homeless people placed in temporary accommodation in the Lewes and Eastbourne areas by Brighton and Hove City Council |
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Health and Wellbeing Board is recommended to:
1) Note the latest information in respect of Brighton and Hove residents temporarily accommodated in East Sussex
1. Background
1.1 Reports concerning homeless people accommodated by Brighton and Hove City Council (BHCC) in temporary and emergency accommodation at Kendal Court in Newhaven have been presented to the last five meetings of East Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board (HWB).
1.2 The reports highlighted the health and wellbeing risks that individuals with multiple and complex health and social care needs may experience whilst accommodated by BHCC at Kendal Court seemingly without adequate support arrangements, as well as the steps taken by East Sussex County Council (ESCC) and partner agencies to ensure that BHCC minimises and mitigates those risks.
1.3 Despite some ongoing challenges, the last report presented to the HWB on 19 July 2022, included some positive steps taken and an improving situation in respect BHCC residents accommodated at Kendal Court and elsewhere in the County, as follows:
· The number of individuals accommodated by BHCC in East Sussex reducing to 118.
· A reduction in occupancy at Kendal Court from the 55 household maximum to 20.
· A continuation of the pause in new placements at Kendal Court since December 2021.
· Ongoing support to residents at Kendal Court through Welfare Officer drop-in sessions.
· Progress towards this strategic aim through commissioning more accommodation within Brighton & Hove, including greater use of council owned emergency accommodation.
2. Supporting Information
2.1 Since the last meeting of the HWB on 19 July 2022, BHCC has confirmed the following:
· The last temporary resident at Kendal Court moving out at the end of July 2022.
· The termination of the contract for accommodation at Kendal Court with effect from 12th September 2022.
· A further reduction in the number of households accommodated by BHCC in East Sussex to 89 on 2nd September, compared to 118 on 27th May 2022.
· A restatement of BHCC’s strategic commitment to continuing the sustained reduction in its use of emergency accommodation.
3.0 Conclusion and Reasons for Recommendations
3.1 The most recent communication from BHCC demonstrates an ongoing commitment to improve the quality of service and support to homeless people it places in temporary accommodation (including those it accommodates in East Sussex).
3.2 A trajectory towards meeting this commitment is supported by tangible actions including the termination of the contract for accommodation at Kendal Court, the sustained reduction in the number of people BHCC temporarily accommodates in East Sussex and the investment in additional welfare support for newly commissioned services.
3.3 The above actions currently provide adequate assurance that the situation has sufficiently improved to a point where ongoing monitoring and engagement can be embedded within core business activity and no longer requires the detailed oversight of the HWB.
3.4 As such, The HWB is asked to note the updates contained within this report with no further Board monitoring recommended at this stage.
Mark Stainton
Director of Adult Social Care and Health
Contact Officer: Mark Stanton, Director of Adult Social Care and Health
Tel. No. 01273 481238 Email: Mark.Stainton@eastsussex.gov.uk
BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS:
None