Quality Frameworks for Homelessness and Related Services – Literature Review and Environmental Scan

Quality Frameworks for Homelessness and Related Services – Literature Review and Environmental Scan Final Report September 2009 URBIS STAFF RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPORT: Directors Roberta Ryan; Jackie Ohlin; Susan Rudland Associate Directors Allison Heller; Lori Rubinstein Senior Consultant Jessie Connell Consultant Ian Hay Sectoral advisor Nick Warren Support Staff Jill Yeomans; Alison Rees Job Code KAJ 20809 xdisclaimerx Copyright © Urbis Pty Ltd ABN 50 105 256 228 All Rights Reserved. No material may be reproduced without prior permission. While we have tried to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, the Publisher accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions or resultant consequences including any loss or damage arising from reliance in information in this publication. URBIS Australia Asia Middle East www.urbis.com.au TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction................................................................................................................................................i Purpose of this research .....................................................................................................................i Terms of reference ..............................................................................................................................i Methodology....................................................................................................................................... ii Limitations of this document.............................................................................................................. iii The structure of this document.......................................................................................................... iii 1 Homelessness: the current context – Australia............................................................................1 1.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................1 1.2 Homelessness definitions and demand for services ...............................................................1 1.3 Conclusions .............................................................................................................................8 2 Legislative and regulatory context...............................................................................................10 2.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................10 2.2 International law ....................................................................................................................11 2.3 Australian domestic law.........................................................................................................12 2.4 Homelessness regulatory context in Australia ......................................................................13 2.5 Overview of existing state and territory quality frameworks..................................................19 2.6 Victoria...................................................................................................................................20 2.7 Queensland ...........................................................................................................................25 2.8 New South Wales ..................................................................................................................30 2.9 Australian Capital Territory....................................................................................................33 2.10 South Australia ......................................................................................................................34 2.11 Tasmania...............................................................................................................................37 2.12 Western Australia ..................................................................................................................39 2.13 Northern Territory ..................................................................................................................43 2.14 Quality frameworks operating overseas................................................................................44 3 Homelessness service provision – an overview.........................................................................48 3.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................48 3.2 The national policy framework for service provision .............................................................48 3.3 Service provision for homeless people..................................................................................52 3.4 Overview of the homelessness service sector ......................................................................57 3.5 Service frameworks and providers – state-by-state profiles .................................................61 3.6 Effective service models – a best practice analysis ..............................................................76 3.7 The vision of the White Paper – towards an integrated service provision model..................80 4 Quality frameworks: lessons from other sectors .......................................................................83 4.1 Introduction and approach.....................................................................................................83 4.2 Lessons for the homelessness sector: benefits and challenges of approaches to accreditation ..........................................................................................................................89 4.3 Conclusions ...........................................................................................................................93 5 Components of a national quality framework .............................................................................95 5.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................95 5.2 Aims and objectives of an accreditation system ...................................................................95 5.3 Potential components of a national quality framework..........................................................98 5.4 Conclusions and issues for further consideration ...............................................................104 6 Implementation processes and impacts....................................................................................106 Quality Frameworks for Homelessness and Related Services – Literature Review and Environmental Scan TABLE OF CONTENTS 6.1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................106 6.2 Potential impacts of implementation – risks and benefits ...................................................106 6.3 Strategies for implementation..............................................................................................109 6.4 Conclusions and issues for further investigation.................................................................117 7 References ....................................................................................................................................120 Appendix A Sectoral case studies Appendix B Summary of issues raised through consultations with sectoral stakeholders and service providers FIGURES: Figure 1 – The legislative framework............................................................................................................... 16 Figure 2 – Access to accommodation and support services for the homeless and those at risk ..................... 56 Figure 3 – Homelessness services: the funding and delivery framework ........................................................ 82 TABLES: Table 1 – Homeless rates per 10,000 by state and territory – 2001 and 2006 .................................................. 5 Table 2 – People in different sectors of the homeless population (Australia 2001 and 2006)............................ 7 Table 3 – Homeless single person-, couple- and family-households (Australia)................................................ 7 Table 4 – Age of people experiencing homelessness in 2006 (Australia).......................................................... 8 Table 5 – Comparison of boarding house/lodging accommodation ................................................................. 42 Table 6 – Advantages and disadvantages of boarding house regulation ........................................................ 43 Table 7 – Summary reference guide to existing quality frameworks – Australia and overseas ....................... 46 Table 8 – National Partnership funding............................................................................................................ 50 Table 9 – Number of people receiving SAAP assistance (Australia) ............................................................... 57 Table 10 – Increase in SAAP funding and agencies 2005-06 to 2007-08........................................................ 58 Table 11 – SAAP services required by clients across states and territories during 2007-08 ........................... 58 Table 12 – NSW Homelessness Action Plan strategic directions .................................................................... 64 Table 13 – Consolidated overview of sectoral

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