Severe weather emergency protocol for rough sleepers
Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council (NBBC) recognise the risks to rough sleepers during severe weather conditions and in particular the increased risk of serious illness or in extreme cases death. The Council is committed to helping them get the right support and services to end rough sleeping and access settled housing.
The Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) is therefore intended to get rough sleepers off the streets during periods of extreme weather that present health risks to those on living on the street. It has two aims:
- to ensure that no-one dies on the streets due to severe weather
- to ensure that every effort is made to engage individuals with support services during periods of severe weather
Anyone sleeping rough on the streets, or anyone worried about someone sleeping on the streets, can phone either of these numbers to report where the individual is located:
- Call our Housing Solutions Service at the Town Hall on 024 7637 6376 during office hours or the out of hours service on 024 7638 2153 at other times.
When is SWEP triggered
Cold weather:
The cold weather SWEP arrangements are activated when the nighttime temperature is predicted to be zero degrees celsius for three consecutive nights.
Other severe weather conditions:
There are other extreme weather conditions that may trigger the activation of SWEP. These weather conditions will be led by severe weather warnings as alerted through the Meteorological Office National Severe Weather Warning Service, and in the main as a result of a red warning being issued.
Red warnings are issued when dangerous weather is expected and, people are advised take action to keep themselves and others safe from the impact of the severe weather. It is very likely that there will be a risk to life, and possibly widespread damage to property and infrastructure that could impact on the lives of those sleeping rough. People are advised to follow the advice from the emergency services and local authorities.
Who decides when to trigger the SWEP Protocol
During periods of cold weather or other severe weather conditions, the Housing Solutions Management Team will check the forecast for Nuneaton and Bedworth on the Meteorological Office website.
If the protocol is activated, the team will continue to make weather checks during the morning and again in the afternoon each day.
Who is eligible
Anyone who is sleeping rough is eligible. During the period of the SWEP, they do not need to be eligible for assistance under homelessness legislation, have a priority need or a local connection, or be unintentionally homeless.
Procedure
Once it has been decided to activate the SWEP, the Housing Solutions Management Team will manage the emergency accommodation bookings. If the SWEP has been triggered outside of office hours, then this will be managed by the out of hours service.
The Council will notify all organisations and agencies engaging with rough sleepers as soon as possible that the SWEP has been triggered.
The accommodation provided will range from hostel accommodation, or Bed and Breakfast.
The Council will provide the most appropriate accommodation available at the time.
The weather forecast will be checked daily; in cold weather once the minimum temperature is predicted to rise above zero degrees, then the SWEP will be lifted and emergency accommodation for that night will no longer be provided. In the event of SWEP being activated for other weather conditions the weather forecast will be checked daily and the decision to end SWEP will be based on the severe weather warning status and continued risk to rough sleepers.
All clients placed into emergency accommodation when the SWEP is in operation will be offered housing advice to help them access the support they require to obtain settled housing.
If any incidents of anti-social behaviour occur during the time that emergency accommodation is provided, then the Housing Solutions Management Team will review the assistance provided and decide if alternative accommodation is appropriate to manage any risk.
People who refuse shelter during severe weather
Rough sleepers may make unpredictable decisions if they are exhausted, hungry, afraid, in pain or under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. If someone refuses help during severe weather and the risk to their health or life by continuing to rough sleep is considered substantial, this may be grounds for the Council to contact mental health services for advice and assistance on keeping a person safe.
The following organisations offer advice and assistance to the homeless or those threatened with homelessness in addition to the council:
Doorway
Support for young homeless people 16 to 25 years of age:
25-27 Dugdale St, Nuneaton, CV11 5QJ
Telephone: 024 7634 5583
Doorway website: www.doorway.org.uk
P3
Homelessness support:
Unit 1, Hollybush House, Bond Gate, Nuneaton, CV11 4AR
Telephone: 0808 164 6220
P3 website: www.p3charity.org
St Basil's
Homelessness support for young people 16 to 25 years of age:
Telephone: 024 7688 9673
St Basil's website: www.stbasils.org.uk