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Porchlight has become the first centre in the country to be accredited to deliver the new ‘Engage to Change’ homelessness sector qualification.
The qualification has been created and funded as part of the government’s “No one left out: communities ending rough sleeping,” (CLG, 2008) strategy which highlights a commitment to supporting the professionalisation of the sector in order to secure better outcomes for homeless people by enabling them to make the changes they need to sustain a positive life away from the streets.
Porchlight and the CIH recognise that frontline workers in homelessness organisations undertake an enormous variety of work from housing management to specialist support. However, a recent survey conducted by Homeless Link (Survey of Needs and Provision, 2009) showed that just 27% felt that the existing qualifications on offer met their needs, and 89% wanted to see an industry standard for the sector.
Charles Elford, Head of Human Resources for Porchlight said, “As an Ending Rough Sleeping Champion we understand that training and qualifications are central to achieving the government’s 2012 target of ending street homelessness. We are delighted to be given this accreditation which will undoubtedly strengthen and build upon the professionalism of our growing staff and services. Being the first accredited centre in the country is something we are very proud of.”
Charles Elford, Head of
Human Resources, Porchlight
The training, developed by the CIH, Homeless Link and London based homeless charity Broadway, aims to create a sustainable model which enables organisations to deliver an accredited programme with their existing resources.
Kathy Hanson, Head of Learning at CIH said, “Porchlight is the first of about 20 organisations throughout England that will be using this new programme to support the development of their frontline services and we are looking forward to working with them. We are really excited about the chance to work with this really crucial group of housing professionals and are looking forward to rolling out the qualification to the 20 pathfinder organisations and then to the wider sector.”
Professionals who successfully complete the Engage to Change course, which is broadly equivalent to an A-Level, will have achieved almost half of the recognised CIH Level 3 Housing qualification. The training will be delivered to Porchlight staff by senior members of the charity’s management team.
ENDS
Notes to editor:
About CIH
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is the professional body for people involved in housing and communities. We are a registered charity and not-for-profit organisation. We have a diverse and growing membership of over 22,000 people – both in the public and private sectors – living and working in over 20 countries on five continents across the world. We exist to maximise the contribution that housing professionals make to the wellbeing of communities.
More information about the Chartered Institute of Housing… (opens in new window)
More information about the Engage to Change qualification… (opens in new window)
About Homeless Link
More information about Homeless Link… (opens in new window)
More information about Homeless Link Survey of Needs and Provision, 2009… (opens in new window)
About Broadway London
More information about Broadway… (opens in new window)
About Porchlight
1. Porchlight was named as an Ending Rough Sleeping Champion in 2009 by Communities and Local Government as part of its ‘No One Left Out’ (2008) strategy to end rough sleeping in England by 2012.
2. Porchlight, established in 1974, is a Kent wide independent local charity that works to support single, vulnerable homeless people or those at risk of homelessness.
3. Porchlight has accommodation based projects in Canterbury, Dover, Ashford and Ramsgate. The outreach team works with street homeless people as well as supporting former homeless people in their own homes, to prevent them returning to street life. Other services support people in their own homes who are at risk of becoming homeless.
4. In 2008-9 Porchlight helped over 1,600 vulnerable people. Porchlight projects include:
Kent Outreach: Our street outreach team work across Kent providing support for rough sleepers and people in temporary accommodation. They provide drop-in sessions, a free phone helpline number 0800 567 7699 and work within prisons to help offenders who will be released from prison homeless.
Young Persons Services: This includes a direct access hostel, longer stay hostel and shared house, providing support for a number years, until each individual is ready to live independently.
Mental Health: We run a housing project in Dover specifically for people with enduring mental ill-health. We also provide support to 7 clients in another purpose built accommodation project in Margate. In addition we also have a young persons’ mental health service that enables young homeless people with mental health problems to better access the health services they need.
Supported Accommodation: We have hostels in Canterbury, Dover, Ashford and Ramsgate. They range in the levels of support provided from high support needs with staff available 24hrs a day, to medium support with staff available on a 9-5pm basis.
Homelessness Prevention: Known as ‘Floating Support’ the service provides support to vulnerable people in their own homes who are at risk of becoming homeless. Many of these clients have been through the hostel system and are almost ready to live independently but just need a little support every now and again.
Training and Service User Involvement: We have a team that works with people accessing any of our services and helps them develop their skills and education. We provide tailored training and encourage people to get involved in the running and improvement of their project, or volunteer on a more formal level in the organisation. Porchlight is committed to involving our service users throughout all the activities of the charity. They are actively encouraged to become involved in education, employment, volunteering and service user involvement opportunities.
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