Team Around the Home. Where are we are now?
This is the second blog for this new initiative launched in May-25. The focus is providing whole family support in temporary accommodation. By walking alongside families on their journey we hope to identify opportunities to improve this experience. So far, 7 families have accessed support with our dedicated Project Coordinator, with the hopes of working with 12 families in the first year. One family has moved into permanent housing, and two more families are in this process. Through engagement with practitioners and families we are learning about the challenges within the system. The families we’ve been working with are in temporary accommodation in a different area so away from work, education and support systems with additional financial pressures this creates.
Listening & Learning
All of this has supported our Project Coordinator to develop a better understanding of how the housing structure works and provide families with transparent realistic advice through a trusted worker. Building strong links with Housing Officers with good communication has enabled answers to be provided to families more quickly. Additionally, we have an increased understanding of tenants’ rights and the relevant legal requirements to better advocate for families. Fife Council colleagues have been open to support the project and reducing barriers to information sharing. There has been ongoing communication with the Housing Options Officers about housing applications, rights and ensuring all avenues are explored for finding a suitable permanent home for families.
Behind the scenes many challenges are being faced amidst the housing crisis with a general recognition that the current system is lacking. Fife Council have given time to share their complex allocations process and been open to opportunities to collaborate. Additionally, our Project Coordinator has joined the existing whole systems approach work. This is an initiative between Turning Point Scotland and Fife Council, bringing organisations and departments together to look at how we can prevent homelessness and support people to thrive in their own homes.
It is a privilege to support someone into their forever home, after a period of temporary accommodation, as a stable and safe space to call home.
"I love my home and knowing I’m here to stay”
Voice
Since inception, we have listened to and included families wherever possible. 2 parents included these quotes in their feedback on the support being offered:
“…with FG support and help, I’ve managed to make steps forward.”
“…someone to regularly link in with has been really beneficial to my mental health. ”
There are further opportunities for family participation coming up in our work with Shelter Scotland. We have been working in partnership with key local allies to build a coalition focused in improving the current housing system, and working collaboratively to achieve change. So far there have been three sessions with representation from eight grassroots charities. Our next session will gather the views of those with lived or living experience in a shared safe space. We hope that our work will directly influence local policy and practice.
As an organisation, we have started to extend our knowledge and connections with the wider housing eco-systems. We had a visit from Mairi Macallan (Cabinet Secretary for Housing), where we introduced the initiative, and parents courageously shared their experiences of temporary accommodation and the journey. We have also supported research on the impacts of housing and place on the social health of adolescents with a social policy student from Edinburgh University. The link to their dissertation and video output can be found at the bottom of this post.
Reflections
In the last update, the three words that people used to describe home were safe, comfort and love. We have further linked with local organisations, MARAC and Safer Communities, to support families experiencing safety concerns and encourage families to actively participate in their new communities. We have provided comfort to families by walking alongside them on their journey, helping them amplify their voice, and practical steps such as sourcing paint packs or putting up a TV bracket. Our approach is centred around care, wellbeing, and compassion. This type of relational approach can create lasting change. All of which contributes towards safe, happy, healthy homes (whether these are temporary or permanent) filled with love.
The evidence so far from the project suggests geographical placement is a critical improvement opportunity, and this is confirmed by Outcome Star data around the impact on health and wellbeing. Two parents following a move to their chosen areas have self-scored significantly higher on several of the areas measured by the assessment and have contributed the improvement to being in an area they know, feel safe in and can access their social and family support networks.
This is an exciting test & demonstration initiative that we hope can influence policy and practice in this space.
What’s next?
Develop the collective work with partners and Shelter Scotland and create an engagement plan to connect with Fife Council.
Further develop partnership into Year 2 with Shelter Scotland as part of a wider partnership follow Fife Gingerbread’s social channels to hear more about this project soon.
Begin to identify the core components of good whole family support for families in temporary accommodation, grounded in the voice and experience of families.
“I have really enjoyed starting this test and demonstration project and feel really excited about the next steps and moving forward with making real change happen.” (Katy Omond, Project Coordinator – Team Around the Home).
I would love to hear any suggestions, thoughts, or experiences you have that would relate to this project. Please get in touch katy.omond@fifegingerbread.org.uk