The Kingston Partnership Board met on Tuesday 6 February 2024 to discuss housing and homelessness, and the development of Family Hubs. The Board also reviewed progress on the Better Care Fund and planned for a future public meeting.

Housing and Homelessness

The Board received an update on actions and progress from a September 2023 workshop concerning housing and homelessness. Key highlights included the successful implementation of the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP), which was activated on all necessary occasions and received positive feedback, with approximately a dozen individuals utilising the service. The Winter Night Shelter, commissioned in partnership with KCAH & SPEAR, was extended until the end of March 2024, having opened in November.

A data-driven approach to homelessness prevention was detailed, focusing on providing support to those in rent arrears, engaging with private landlords, and assisting individuals in maintaining their rental agreements. The possibility of utilising services like Bereavement Services to support those living alone and exploring tenant or shared lives schemes was also considered. Additionally, a Christmas meal provision was organised for over 30 households residing in hotel accommodation.

Concerns were raised that temporary housing or homelessness could lead to non-attendance at services, and it was suggested that schools, at-risk parents, and care leavers should be signposted to available support. A pathways document detailing support services and information on SPEAR¹ would be shared. Success in measuring homelessness was being tracked through night sleeper assessments conducted a couple of times a year.

The significant link between mental health and homelessness was acknowledged, with the Board emphasising the importance of strong connections between the Council's health and housing services. Shared lives schemes were identified as beneficial for mental health patients and individuals living alone, with Kingston noted as having a higher proportion of people able to participate in such schemes. The difficulty of hospital discharges for patients with housing issues was also discussed. Kingston Hospital informed the Board that an Urgent and Emergency Care Board for Kingston & Richmond would be established to address such challenges, including homelessness and discharge processes.

Best Start / Family Hubs

The Board was presented with the Family Hub model, an integrated service designed to support families with children of all ages and stages, building upon the recognised importance of the first 1001 days of a child's life. These hubs will operate from existing children's and youth centres, complemented by an online offering and outreach services. The multidisciplinary team within the hubs will include health visitors, education professionals, voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCS) providers, family support workers, targeted service specialists, and youth workers.

The aims of the Family Hub model are to:

• Provide timely and holistic support to families when they need it.
• Serve as a central point of contact for families seeking help, covering all ages and stages.
• Maintain support for families even if they are open to social care services.
• Achieve efficiencies in service delivery.

Three case studies demonstrated the value of partnerships in providing families and children with support they might not otherwise access. It was highlighted that a skilled workforce and committed partners are crucial for building trust and confidence in the services. The Achieving for Children (AfC) team also reviewed common parental search queries to ensure these themes were addressed by the service.

Discussions focused on strategies to encourage attendance from families who might not typically engage with services, with suggestions including leveraging other voluntary groups, playgroups, and schools. Clear communication and shared messaging were deemed essential for promoting attendance. The existing co-location of staff with Your Healthcare at children's centres, including community midwives and health visitors, was noted as a successful arrangement that would continue. However, it was recognised that while early years integration was strong, similar integration was needed for older age groups.

The Family Hub concept was described as more than just a physical building; it is envisioned as a welcoming, multidisciplinary network of support with an online presence. A key feature will be a dedicated family support worker who remains with a family throughout their journey, regardless of changing needs. This early intervention approach aims to help families become more independent and resilient by providing timely information, advice, and guidance.

Partners were invited to contribute to the Family Hub offering and identify any perceived gaps. Suggestions included:

• Targeting hard-to-reach communities, such as the Korean community, where working with the Migrant Advisory Service had been successful.
• Exploring services at New Malden library due to its use by the Korean community.
• Engaging with Connect North Korea for outreach to the Korean community.
• Utilising homework clubs to reach older children and their families.
• Collaborating with the Kingston Good Food Group on community food growing initiatives and school links.
• Working with Primary Care Networks (PCNs) as GPs may not always be able to provide low-level signposting.
• Liaising with schools and school nurses, acknowledging potential difficulties with school access.
• Partnering with adult education to support parents with English as a second language and to enhance general employment and skills.
• Integrating mental health support for parents within the Family Hubs, linking with organisations like Man and Boy and iCope.
• Exploring the possibility of offering family counselling, potentially with Korean-speaking counsellors, to address requests received by MIND Kingston.

Meeting in Public Proposals

Plans for the March meeting, which will be open to the public, were discussed. This meeting will include the launch of the Annual Public Health report, and the Board was asked for suggestions on other topics to include. It was agreed that the Adults Safeguarding Vision would also be added to the agenda.

Formal Business and AOB

It was noted that the Better Care Fund Q3 Reporting Template would be circulated for sign-off. The Board acknowledged Holocaust Memorial Day and thanked partners for their involvement. The Race Equality Week football event, organised by John Azah, was highlighted as a success.