ADD2701 Training on access to drug and alcohol treatment services for homeless migrants

1.1.    A total of 10,053 people were seen sleeping rough in London during 2022-23. This is a 21 per cent increase compared to 2021-22. Of these, 51 per cent were non-UK nationals; and 30 per cent were from the European Economic Area. Additionally, 71 per cent had support needs, of which 31 per cent related to alcohol and 32 per cent to drugs. 

1.2.    Since the government launched its Rough Sleeping Drug and Alcohol Treatment Grant (running 2022-25), the GLA has been working with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) (London) and City of London to coordinate a pan-London programme of work to improve access to drug and alcohol services for people who are rough sleeping. As part of this, the GLA secured £64,000 funding in 2022-23 for a new 12-month fixed-term Migrant Health and Substance Misuse Lead post. This expenditure was approved in MD2993. £7,361 of this was reprofiled; and expenditure approved in MD3089 to deliver training. 

1.3.    The GLA secured a further £64,000 from OHID to extend and expand this work in 2023-24. MD3089 approved this expenditure and extension of the staffing post until March 2024; the staff member left part-way through the year. The GLA has secured approval from OHID to reprofile £14,085 in 2023-24 to fund a bespoke training programme.

1.4.    The GLA has a contract with Homeless Link to deliver training. This initial contract value was £53,445, and was funded through the Controlling Migration Fund until June 2023. MD2559 approved the delegation of authority to the Executive Director of Housing and Land, in consultation with the relevant Deputy Mayor, to approve funding allocations for additional specialist services and initiatives for non-UK nationals sleeping rough, up to a total of £1.9m. 

1.5.    MD3089 approved the expenditure of £7,361 of 2022-23 OHID funding, to exercise an option in the Homeless Link training contract to deliver training on access to drug and alcohol treatment for homeless migrants. MD3135 approved the expenditure of £49,837 of Controlling Migration Fund (CMF) funding to exercise an option in the Homeless Link contract to extend the training programme for 18 months, from 1 July 2023 to 31 December 2024. The current value of the Homeless Link contract is £110,643. 

1.6.    This ADD seeks approval for reallocation of revenue expenditure of £14,085 OHID funding to vary the Homeless Link contract, to provide additional training on access to drug and alcohol treatment services for homeless migrants. 

1.7.    Subject to approval of the above, the total value of the contract will increase to £124,728. 
 

2.1.    The training programme delivered by Homeless Link would provide a comprehensive overview of a complex area. It would aim to clarify eligibility for drug and alcohol treatment services for homeless migrants. The bespoke training programme would provide seven training sessions; a recorded video; and an in-person workshop. It aims to upskill frontline staff on how to support homeless migrants in accessing health and substance use treatment. 

2.2.    The GLA commissioned Homeless Link to deliver two training sessions on this topic in 2022-23. These were fully subscribed, and feedback from partners suggests there is both demand and need across the sector for further training. The training is intended to develop expertise amongst local and regional partnership agencies working with homeless migrants. It has the overall aim of improving access to substance misuse treatment and recovery services in London. 
 

3.1.    Under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, as public authorities, the Mayor and the GLA are subject to a public sector equality duty, and must have due regard to the need to: eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation; advance equality of opportunity between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not; and foster good relations between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not. Protected characteristics under section 149 of the Equality Act are age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, and marriage or civil partnership status (all except the last being “relevant” protected characteristics). 

3.2.    Objective 3 of the Mayor’s equality, diversity and inclusion strategy, Inclusive London, is “to address the specific barriers that prevent some rough sleepers exiting rough sleeping and rebuilding their lives”. The funding in this decision will help tackle some of the barriers experienced by people who are rough sleeping. 

3.3.    Of those seen sleeping rough in 2022-23: 

•    51 per cent were non-UK nationals 
•    17 per cent were women 
•    19 per cent were Black or Black British 
•    5 per cent were Roma 
•    51 per cent had a mental health need 
•    most (58 per cent) were aged 26-45 
•    8 per cent were under 26 
•    12 per cent were over 55 

3.4.    Migrant homelessness in London, and specifically rough sleeping, disproportionately affects people with certain protected characteristics. Upskilling frontline staff to help improve access to treatment and health services should achieve positive impacts and tackle some of the barriers people face in exiting rough sleeping and rebuilding their lives. 
 

Key risks and issues 

4.1.    The key risks and issues are outlined in the table below:

Links to Mayoral strategies and priorities 

4.2.    The Mayor’s London Housing Strategy sets out the aim to provide a sustainable route off the streets for every rough sleeper in London. The Mayor’s Rough Sleeping Commissioning framework, published in August 2021, includes a priority to meet the health needs of people sleeping rough.

4.3.    There are no known conflicts of interest for those involved in drafting or clearance of this report. 
 

5.1    Assistant Director Housing’s approval is sought for reallocation of revenue expenditure of £14,085 to vary a training contract with Homeless Link. Receipt and expenditure of this revenue funding was previously approved in MD3089 for staffing costs. The expenditure will be fully funded from OHID grant funding to be claimed at the end of 2023-24. 

6.1.    The project will be delivered according to the following timetable: