Rough Sleepers Outreach Service

Summary

This project aims to connect with people sleeping rough in Hastings and St Leonards, helping them access local support or reconnect with their home areas. The goal is to reduce rough sleeping and improve wellbeing through practical help and referrals.

Why It’s Needed

Rough sleeping is rising nationally and locally. Hastings needs more outreach to make contact with people on the streets and link them to support services like the Rough Sleepers Initiative. This service will help fill that gap, working alongside existing teams to offer joined-up, person-centred support.

What the Service Should Do

The successful provider will:

• Work alongside existing outreach teams without overlapping session times
• Share information (with consent) to help build support plans
• Use a person-centred approach, with a lead worker chosen based on the individual’s preference
• Join Targeted Priority Group (TPG) meetings to support those furthest from stable housing
• Contribute to Hastings’ Housing and Homelessness Strategy with feedback and evidence
• Carry out 2–3 weekly street patrols (timings to be agreed locally)
• Employ a dedicated, experienced outreach worker
• Reduce risks and address safeguarding concerns
• Provide regular reports on who was found and what action was taken
• Help reconnect people to their home local authority if appropriate
• Work closely with Hastings Borough Council, STAR, ESCC, Sussex Police, street pastors, and others
• Join multi-agency meetings and hubs to improve outcomes
• Refer and signpost rough sleepers to housing, advice, and support
• Ask for consent to share personal info early on to support safeguarding
• Help rough sleepers access night shelters during extreme weather

Who It’s For

People sleeping rough in Hastings and St Leonards.

Funding

Funding runs from July 2026 to June 2028. There is £30,500 available for this project for 2026-27.
Registered charities, non-profit voluntary or community groups operating in Hastings and St Leonards can apply.

Duration

July 2026 – June 2028

How It Should Be Delivered

Applicants should propose their own delivery method, but out-of-hours work is essential. Reports should include:

• Locations of rough sleepers
• Local connection status
• Reasons for homelessness
• Age and ethnicity
• Support needs
• Support plans
• Referrals and signposting
• Outcomes and interventions
• Multi-agency work

Measuring Success

Applicants should define clear outcomes and how they’ll measure them. Examples include:

• Number of rough sleepers identified and verified
• Number of people reconnected or relocated
• Number of rough sleepers with a local connection
• Number of repeat sightings of the same person
• Number of people linked to support services