Evaluation of place-based work in the London Borough of Brent

Since 2019, the Berkeley Foundation has funded Crisis Skylight Brent to develop place-based work. As part of this funding, Campbell Tickell was commissioned to evaluate the success of the place-based work by Brent.

Place-based work is ‘a long-term approach to identifying, understanding, and addressing social issues rooted in the experiences, expertise and relationships that exist within a recognised geographic area’ (see work from Renaisi on place-based change and approaches).

The two intended outcomes of this place-based work are:-

To increase opportunities to end homelessness in the London Borough of Brent
To add to Crisis’ learning about how ending homelessness can be delivered locally; and the role Crisis Skylights can play in achieving this.

The place-based approach in Brent included the following activities:

establishment of the Brent Homelessness Forum
community of practice
working groups
task and finish groups
research on homelessness and health
homelessness awareness sessions
development of Built for Zero
opening of new Crisis Skylight Brent premises.

The report provides insight in relation to strategic learning, systems change and individual change in the area.

Read the report

Outline

Methodology

Campbell Tickell evaluated the success of the place-based work in Brent by:

interviewing 22 stakeholders in senior and operational roles across 12 organisations from public and voluntary sectors
Interviewing two individuals with lived experience of homelessness in Brent using a visual approach to map their journeys and talk about their experiences
surveying 31 members of the Brent Homelessness Forum.

Key Findings

Strategic Change

Developed Brent’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy and Brent Homeless Health Plan through a ‘bottom-up’ approach.
Fostered partnerships for swift responses using real-time information.
Leveraged national and international insights from Crisis’ connections.

Systems Change

Collaborative leadership led to joint recruitment panels for shared posts.
Public sector officers received training and upskilling, enabling joint outreach efforts.
Accompanied visits facilitated engagement with hard-to-reach groups.
Improved joint-working on referrals, assessments, and decisions.

Individual Change

Quicker referrals and assessment processes.
Smoother transitions between support services for housing resolution.
Faster resolution for Universal Credit claims.
Sourced accommodation for complex needs.
Improved GP registration for people experiencing homelessness.

Key recommendations

Continue to build leadership capacity, including key posts in both the public and voluntary sectors
Promote communication and engagement with the widest possible network of agencies
Maintain connections between local place-based work and national homelessness policy
Continue to be focused and realistic about what can be achieved through place-based work and the importance of continuously nurturing structures, partnerships and relationships.

Read the report:

Contact us

For any further information or enquiries, please contact Campbell Tickell Director, Liz Zacharias at liz.zacharias@campbelltickell.com or call: +44 203 434 0985

Campbell Tickell works extensively with local authorities, integrated care bodies, public health, care and support providers, as well as charities and housing associations on a range of housing, care and support issues.  Find out more about our health, care and support consultancy services.

Evaluation of place-based work in Brent