TACKLING HOMELESSNESS ACROSS THE GENERATIONS IN BRISTOL
Through family and parenting support

Work with homeless families is generally limited to supporting them to access and maintain a new tenancy. However, we know that the majority of people become homeless through relationship breakdown in one form or another. This project explores how family relationships and better parenting skills can help to create better chances for children in homeless families.

Andrews Charitable Trust is supporting a portfolio of five organisations, all providing different services within the city. The Single Parent Action Network (SPAN) has a coordination role, supporting key workers in each of the other agencies and providing the primary contact with the local authority departments. The network is liaising closely with the Homelessness Department, the Parenting Commissioner, Safer Bristol, local multi-agency panels and a number of individuals in other departments.

The programme is intended to provide a role model for how council and voluntary sector agencies can work together – providing regular group meetings to encourage and develop working relationships, to enhance the coordination and delivery of services that meet the needs of individuals and families in the programme.

Individual Partner Services and Contacts

SPAN: Run six 13-week group parenting programmes per year for parents of families who have experienced homelessness. These courses will be run in collaboration with the agencies below (but not exclusively for them) so families can also be supported with key workers. Annie Oliver, Strengthening Families Strengthening Communities ( annie@spanuk.org.uk)

Shelter : Provide intensive family support for 10-12 vulnerable homeless families with multiple and complex problems. Belinda Langston, Intensive Family Support Worker ( belinda_langston@shelter.org.uk)

Orbit: Support for 20-25 young fathers, generally who are living separately from their children. Benn Moseley, Father Worker ( benjamin.moseley@orbit.org.uk )

Survive: Family-focused support for 30-50 women and children who have suffered from domestic violence and who are in the process of being re-housed. Jane Evans, Family Worker ( janee@survivedv.org.uk )

Community Resolve: The project provides family in conflict with two mediators – one older, one younger – when communication breaks down. For ten young people, at risk of becoming homeless. Siu-ming Hart, Crucial Conversations Worker ( siu-ming@blueyonder.org.uk)