A report providing an overview of how Reading Borough Council and its partners deliver a coordinated response to rough sleeping across outreach, emergency provision, supported accommodation and longer-term recovery.

The Committee received a report and presentation that provided an overview of the way that the Council and its partners delivered a coordinated response to rough sleeping across outreach, emergency provision, supported accommodation and longer-term recovery. Janine Breakspear (Launchpad), Matt Farrow (RBC Housing), Pete Philp (RBC Adult Social Care), Nathan Birch (Salvation Army), Tega Okena and Wendy Dodds (both from St Mungos) attended the meeting and took part in the presentation.

The presentation highlighted the strength and depth of partnership working across statutory services, commissioned providers, and the voluntary, community and faith sector (VCFS). The presentation demonstrated how joined-up working enabled individuals to access the right support at the right time, particularly those with complex and multiple needs. Key areas of focus included coordinated outreach, partnership led emergency responses such as Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP), specialist pathways including Housing First, and wider work to support recovery, independence and long-term housing outcomes.

The report focused on the partnership response to rough sleeping, rather than wider statutory homelessness duties and explained that the approach was underpinned by Reading’s Preventing Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2026 – 2031 and the associated Action Plan. The report also highlighted ongoing work to strengthen collaboration, including co-production with people with lived experience and the development of new initiatives with partners. The report showed that partnership working was fundamental to reducing rough sleeping in Reading.

The report also set out the various supported accommodation pathways that were tailored to different needs, with capacity to accommodate 289 people across interventions. These comprised 280 commissioned bed spaces (referral only, not direct access) and nine bed spaces for those needing an immediate off the streets offer (direct access).

The Council worked closely with commissioned partners from the Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector (VCFS), including Launchpad Reading, St Mungo’s, The Salvation Army and YMCA Reading, alongside providing ongoing support to FAITH’s Winter Shelter. Partnership with statutory organisations was also central to Reading’s approach to rough sleeping. Key partners included Adult Social Care, health services (including HOLT), substance misuse services (CGL/MDOT), Thames Valley Police, probation, and Jobcentre Plus. To further strengthen partnership working a quarterly Homelessness Forum would be established to bring together statutory, commissioned and VCFS organisations to improve coordination, share intelligence and identify gaps in provision. The Government’s homelessness reform programme, including the proposed Duty to Collaborate, would also require partners to work more formally together to address rough sleeping and homelessness. The Council had introduced a dedicated Senior Social Worker role, improving coordination and safeguarding responses for individuals with complex needs. A representative from the Rough Sleeping Initiatives Team attended the Safeguarding Adults Board and Safeguarding Adults Review Panel, ensuring the needs and risks facing this cohort were reflected in wider safeguarding arrangements.

Resolved -   That the report be noted for information, alongside the presentation delivered with sector partners.