Award Title: Identifying multi-agency, trauma-informed and integrated solutions for unmet need of individuals experiencing homelessness in Northumberland and North Tyneside
Funder: Department of Health and Social Care

Abstract: People experiencing homelessness are disproportionately affected by social vulnerabilities, substance use, mental ill-health, and trauma – Northumberland and North Tyneside have identified them as an exceptionally vulnerable population. These individuals frequently present at hospital Emergency Departments (ED), often not requiring acute hospitalisation, which reflects their underlying complex social issues. They often receive fragmented support across health, social care, housing, and criminal justice systems, adding to difficulty accessing support when needed.  Our study aims to identify multi-agency trauma-informed solutions to support the social and health vulnerabilities and mental health needs of homeless people in Northumberland and North Tyneside. This will enable these individuals to have timely and holistic cross-sectoral support, ultimately improving their mental well-being.  Objectives are to:  1. develop a profile of underlying needs for individuals experiencing homelessness presenting at the ED in Northumberland and North Tyneside   2. develop a robust system-wide multi-agency pathway, which recognises trauma and complex needs for this population and provides holistic wraparound support from social and health care, voluntary and statutory partners  3. explore the feasibility, acceptability, and requirements for adopting trauma-informed approaches within the multi-agency pathway  We will undertake case study analysis, service mapping, and interviews/ focus groups with people affected by homelessness and service providers across different sectors, followed by co-developing a multi-agency pathway (work-packages 1-3). Feasibility of adopting trauma-informed approaches, including trauma-informed training across the pathway, will be examined in work-packages 4-5.   Solutions and pathways from this project will then be applied and evaluated in larger studies with other rural and coastal regions. Our team comprises social and health care, mental health, Local Authority, Citizens Advice, police, voluntary sector and people with experience of homelessness. This partnership will ensure real-world and meaningful outputs for all partners, including populations affected. This co-produced working enhances the potential for implementation and reduces  time to impact .

Lay Abstract: Individuals affected by homelessness have very poor mental health. Rural and coastal areas like Northumberland and North Tyneside have increasing numbers of people facing homelessness. These individuals often attend hospital emergency, and have complex problems, such as poverty, unemployment, housing problems, and domestic violence. A major problem is that support for these problems is not always joined-up making it harder to get mental health and social support needed.  Our aim is to find ways to provide joined-up support for people experiencing homelessness in Northumberland and North Tyneside. This support will mean that these individuals receive the right support at the right time from relevant services, and ultimately have better mental well-being.  Partners on this project from social care, health, mental health, Citizens Advice, housing, police, and people experiencing homelessness have expressed that this support is much-need in Northumberland and North Tyneside. We have, therefore, come together to carry out this research. We will speak to people affected by homelessness, different health and social care professionals and charities. This will help understand the best way of providing joined-up support. We will also find out how an understanding of traumatic experiences can be included in the support that is provided to people affected by homelessness.  People experiencing homelessness will be involved in all aspects of this research. Their contributions will ensure that the research is meaningful and that the voice of neglected groups is heard. The findings will be promoted widely through those in health and social care and the wider public.   Our research will contribute to wider plans for improving mental health in North East England. The joined-up support model we develop together in this research can be applied and tested further in larger studies including other rural and coastal areas in the country, which are affected by similar issues.

Research Activity Codes: 7.1 INDIVIDUAL CARE NEEDS;8.1 ORGANISATION AND DELIVERY OF SERVICES
Health Categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE