service integration in a regional homelessness service system joint research project between...
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SERVICE INTEGRATION IN A REGIONAL HOMELESSNESS SERVICE SYSTEM
Joint research project between Northern Rivers Social Development Council and Regional Futures Institute,
Southern Cross University.Funded under the National Homelessness Research
FundSee: www.fahcsia.gov.au
Research Questions:
1. What service integration models work in regional areas?
2. What are the barriers/service system gaps to be addressed to maximise regional service integration?
3. What is the potential for increased cross sector collaboration in a regional setting?
4. What aspects of the findings can be generalised to other non-metropolitan settings?
Acknowledgement
The most integrated service system is no substitute for an adequate supply of affordable housing and adequate resources
What Is Service Integration?
.....linking, collaborating, networking, coordinating, communicating, cooperating, connecting, interacting, sharing, partnering, working together.....
Service Integration - Great But...
– No single ‘model’ suits all situations– Considerable time and effort to establish
AND then to sustain– Costs before it saves– Not a panacea or an end in itself
Sometimes single agency responses are all that is needed
Not all services have to be equally ‘integrated’
Levels of Service Integration
Service level (BOTTOM UP – voluntary, operational)– Individual Worker relationships– Interagencies, sector training – Service level MOUs, referral protocol or other
agreed coordination practice
System level (TOP DOWN – mandated, structural)– shared systems, joint programs, pooled funds
Integrated Homelessness Service Delivery Models
Support only models –information exchange, referral protocols, case conferencing/coordination, crisis accommodation and support
Support + housing modelsFoyers, Common Ground, Rapid Housing
Survey results – 3 regions
56.7%
35%
8.3%
Service Connections
Clarence
Tweed
Richmond
What service system integration models work in regional areas?
28 examples cited – mix of service and system level, support-only and support +housing, multiple sector models
Identified models in research region – service level, houseless, single sector- info sharing, communication mechanisms,
some service level agreements
Critical factors for effective service integration (ranked)
1 Regular communication, networking; relationship building2 Partnership agreements and MOUs 3 Access to current service information 4 Access to housing
Willingness to work collaboratively Joint planning Access to and involvement of government services and personnel Coordinated case management and referral
5 Sector building capacity
Service integration requires (literature and respondents):
- Formal+informal mechanisms- System +service delivery level elements - Senior personnel with decision making authority- Multiple sectors
Asked the wrong questionPlace-relevant strategies (opps + limitations)Service availability, govt presence, geographic spread(services & users), transport, housing supply, localstrengths, local knowledge & exp., relationships
What barriers and service system gaps need to be addressed to maximise
service integration in a regional setting? • Knowledge of service system• Capacity for early intervention• Communication opportunities• Sector building capacity; facilitated coordination• Involvement of senior personnel, govt. &
mainstream agencies • Access to affordable housingRegional: absence of key services, p/t workforce, limited
transport, distance, cost of outreach, service size
What is the potential for increased cross sector collaboration in a regional setting?
• Limited acknowledgement of homelessness service system ‘membership’
• Examples at operational level only (not system level) • System functioning objectives and resources• Use of existing cross sector forums/networks and
local planning structures • Varies from region to region – opps and limitations
What aspects of the findings can be generalised to other non-metropolitan settings?
Caution against replication & generic responsesKey – responses built on place relevant
opportunities and limitations • Access to key services (Centrelink, social
housing providers, community centres)• Distance, access to transport, outreach
capacity• Service size, p/t workforce• Champions• Formal & informal networks, Valued
relationships
