TfL Outreach homeless project
Request ID: FOI-3267-1920
Date published: 17 February 2020
You asked
Could you please advise me how TfL Outreach homeless project is managed and organised- how is a Thames Reach support worker made aware of a rough sleeper, and by what process are TfL staff involved with this?
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-3267-1920
Thank you for your email received by Transport for London (TfL) on 22 January 2020.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we do hold the information you require. You asked:
Could you please advise me how TfL Outreach homeless project is managed and organised- how is a Thames Reach support worker made aware of a rough sleeper, and by what process are TfL staff involved with this?
London Underground staff have access to reporting services via their iPads and bus drivers are able to report rough sleepers using a pre-loaded SMS text service option on iBus. This information is collated and uploaded to StreetLink, where it is fed to outreach services to help direct their work towards the times and routes where people are sleeping rough.
Through Thames Reach, TfL funds a dedicated homeless outreach team which works directly on our services, including buses and the Tube. Although the Thames Reach Night Team is unique because they work on public transport, the team operate in a similar way to other outreach services – targeting locations via referrals from Streetlink (plus the intelligence passed via staff reports) and then trying to locate the rough sleepers, engage with them to understand their circumstances and then work with existing homeless services in London to connect the person with the most appropriate provision available.
All staff are advised to contact the police (or call Code Red if they are a bus driver) if they see a rough sleeper who is aggressive, needs urgent medical attention or is suspected to be under 18.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Eva Hextall
FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
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