Assertive Street Outreach is a persistent approach that aims to end rough sleeping by bringing services directly to people who are sleeping rough and ensures that people without shelter are linked in with appropriate supports and services through a multidisciplinary approach.
Housing For All commits to expanding Street Outreach services nationally to areas where rough sleeping is a concern.
Action 3.17 "Expand Street Outreach Services to engage with rough sleepers in other key urban areas outside Dublin"
Assertive Street Outreach Guide
In response to Action 3.17 in Housing for All, The Housing Agency has developed a good practice guide for local authorities on setting up and expanding Assertive Street Outreach services nationally. This was done in partnership with the HSE. There is a also a summary version of the guide. Please see links below:
The Assertive Street Outreach Guide will be reviewed and updated on a regular basis to reflect relevant developments in the sector. Currently there are 7 chapters covering the below topics.
- Introduction - provides information on current street outreach services in Ireland and the policy context for expanding these services.
- Guiding Principles - provides information on the principles of Assertive Street Outreach including person-centred, trauma-informed and harm reduction approaches.
- Overview of Assertive Street Outreach - provides information on what is required for an Assertive Street Outreach service to operate effectively and discusses other forms of outreach services.
- Setting up or Expanding an Assertive Street Outreach Service - provides information on identifying the need for a service, identifying service partners, designing a service and management structure to meet the needs of rough sleepers.
- Staff Skills and Training - provides information on supports, training courses and other resources that are available to support Assertive Street Outreach Staff.
- Service Delivery - provides practical information and guidance on delivering an Assertive Street Outreach service such as shift planning.
- Governance - provides information on the governance structure required to support an Assertive Street Outreach service in Ireland.
Assertive Street Outreach Guide National and International Case Studies
In addition to the Assertive Street Outreach Guide, The Housing Agency commissioned the LGIU to source examples of good practice in jurisdictions outside of Ireland of Assertive Street Outreach services for homeless people. The Assertive Street Outreach National and International Case Studies document provides examples of Assertive Street Outreach services from the UK, Canada and Australia as well as examples from local authorities and NGOs in Ireland. The case studies include information on:
- Who provides the service
- What is the aim of the Outreach Service
- Brief overview of the Outreach Service to include staff training and risk management
- Collaboration between Outreach Service and other services
- Highlight good practice
- What are the issues and challenges faced