A Reflexive Mapping Exercise of services and organisations working with people experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless.

Aim: Although the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 aims integrate health and social care in Scotland, it is known that there is still a challenge to promote a more coordinated access to information and services to users. It is understood that lack of better communication and integration between government agencies and third sector (and within each of them) does not contribute to reach a holistic approach to those people threatened by homelessness. This project aimed to conduct a mapping exercise as a means to promote reflexive practice with practitioners and service users in order to improve communication and integration of services addressing homelessness.

Methods: The proposed mapping took place initially in Dundee City as a pilot project led by DHSRU, University of Dundee in partnership with Shelter Scotland and other local services addressing homeless related issues. However based on the good response from practitioners working in this field the mapping will be repeated in other cities such Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh. The methodology used involved a comprehensive search to produce an extensive overview of existing services through online search, phone calls and informal visits to key NGOs and Government agencies to update the information available.

Results: The mapping covered eight areas such housing support; Information, Advice and Advocacy; food assistance; Furniture assistance; Health and Psycho-social wellbeing support; Employment and Education and Training.

Conclusions: There is a lack of services allocated in the most deprived areas of the city combining with the major concentration of services addressed to crisis periods and not so much for the periods related with early intervention/prevention and sustainable tenancy.