Housing and homelessness support services provided by South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils has been recognised by the National Practitioner Support Service (NPSS) as one of the country’s top performers.
They scored an impressive 80 per cent, putting the councils in the top eight nationally (average 69 per cent) and one of the highest scorers in the south east.
The two councils recently took part in a review of their vital front line housing services which are operated on a shared basis for the two districts. This checked that the advice and support residents receive is provided in a targeted, effective and efficient way.
The councils’ high score follows recent improvements they have made to their housing and homelessness support services. This includes launching a new phone service for vulnerable residents, intervening earlier to support those at risk of becoming homeless, ensuring the same council officer retains responsibility for individual cases for up to a year, and introducing a new online self-help service for housing information and advice.
The councils’ housing support service received further national recognition this month when their strategy for effective and early intervention was highlighted in the Chartered Institute of Housing’s ‘How to development homelessness prevention solutions’ briefing.
Cllr Elizabeth Gillespie, Cabinet Member for Housing at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “The high score we achieved in this review reflects the important changes we have made to our housing and homelessness support services. This has put us in a much better position to provide people with the help and advice they need at the earliest possible opportunity.”
Cllr Elaine Ware, Cabinet Member for Housing at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “Our housing needs team have made great strides to improve the service they offer people and are now being held up as a great example nationally. They also led the way in ensuring that people will continue to receive additional homeless support, despite the cuts that the county council is having to make to their services.”