housing and mental health agreement · the housing and mental health agreement (the agreement)...

20
Housing and Mental Health Agreement August 2011

Upload: others

Post on 21-Feb-2020

7 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Housing and Mental Health Agreement · The Housing and Mental Health Agreement (the Agreement) provides the overarching framework for planning, coordinating and delivering mental

Housing and Mental Health Agreement

August 2011

Page 2: Housing and Mental Health Agreement · The Housing and Mental Health Agreement (the Agreement) provides the overarching framework for planning, coordinating and delivering mental
Page 3: Housing and Mental Health Agreement · The Housing and Mental Health Agreement (the Agreement) provides the overarching framework for planning, coordinating and delivering mental

3Housing and Mental Health Agreement

Housing and Mental Health AgreementThe Housing and Mental Health Agreement (the Agreement) provides the overarching framework for planning, coordinating and delivering mental health, accommodation support and social housing services for clients with mental health problems and disorders who are living in social housing or who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. It replaces the Joint Guarantee of Service for People with Mental Health Problems and Disorders Living in Public Housing, Community Housing and Aboriginal Housing (JGOS).

This Agreement is between:

• NSWHealth,

• theNSWDepartmentofFamilyandCommunityServices(FACS)–encompassingallitsagencies:HousingNSW,AboriginalHousingOffice,Ageing,Disability&Home Care and Community Services.

Itisrecognisedthatnon-governmentorganisations(NGOs)arekeyprovidersof services to people with mental health problems and disorders. Signatory DepartmentsarecommittedtoworkinginpartnershipwithNGOs,andtheirpeakorganisations to improve outcomes for this group of people.

This Agreement is in three parts:

1. AnOverarchingFrameworkincludingAimsandObjectives,Principles,Commitments, Elements of Good Practice and Governance

2. A high level Action Plan to support the implementation of the Agreement which outlines the actions signatory agencies have agreed to

3. Effective date and signatures

Page 4: Housing and Mental Health Agreement · The Housing and Mental Health Agreement (the Agreement) provides the overarching framework for planning, coordinating and delivering mental

Housing and Mental Health Agreement4

1. Background The prevalence of mental illness in the community is high. In 2007, almost half (45%) of 16-85 year olds in Australia had a mental disorder at some point in their life and oneinfivehadsymptomsofamentaldisorderinthetwelvemonthspriortothesurvey.1

Peoplewithmentalhealthproblemsanddisordersoftenexperiencedifficultiesinaccessing and maintaining affordable, safe and stable housing. Mental health issues can disrupt tenancies and reduce an individual’s capacity to live independently. At the same time, unstable housing arrangements can also contribute to the deterioration of mental wellbeing.2

Individuals at risk of tenancy failure because of mental illness are particularly vulnerable because of the limited alternative housing options they have and the consequences that tenancy loss brings. They may become homeless or have to move to unsafe or inappropriate housing, lose possessions and/or any supports that were in place.3

Formanypeoplelivingwithmentalillness,theabilitytochoose,accessandmaintain safe and affordable housing provides the cornerstone to stabilising their lives and illness, thereby improving their quality of life in the longer-term.4

NSWGovernmentresponsesThis Agreement has been developed to improve housing outcomes and the general well-being of people with mental health problems and disorders who are living in social housing or who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. It builds on the way agencies work together to provide and maximise access to services for people with mental health problems and disorders.

In 1997, the Joint Guarantee of Service for People with Mental Health Problems and Disorders Living in Public, Community and Aboriginal Housing (JGOS) was endorsed byHousingNSWandNSWHealth.In2003,theJGOSwasexpandedtoincludeNSWDepartmentofCommunityServices,AboriginalHousingOffice,AboriginalHealthandMedicalResearchCouncilofNSW,Aboriginalandcommunityhousingproviders as well as non-government mental health service providers.

The JGOS aimed to better coordinate services to clients with mental health problems and disorders to assist them to access and sustain social housing. It also aimed to facilitate strong relationships between participating organisations, enabling better planning and delivery of coordinated services that meet client needs.

In 2002 the Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI) was established.HASIisafundedpartnershipprogrambetweenNSWHealth,HousingNSWandthenon-governmentsectorthatlinksstablehousingtoclinicalandaccommodation support for people with mental illness who were homeless or at risk of homelessness. The HASI program has continued to expand, and at present over 1100peopleacrossNSWreceivevariouslevelsofsupportfromHASI,dependingontheir need.

Evaluation of the HASI program has found that when stable housing is linked to appropriate mental health and accommodation support, people are able to overcome the sometimes debilitating effects of mental illness, live independent lives and connect to their community.5

Page 5: Housing and Mental Health Agreement · The Housing and Mental Health Agreement (the Agreement) provides the overarching framework for planning, coordinating and delivering mental

5Housing and Mental Health Agreement

More recently, the JGOS has also been evaluated which provided evidence that there was a need to strengthen the mechanisms by which it was implemented. PartnerstotheJGOSagreedthatthesefindingswouldbeaddressedinthedevelopment of the Housing and Mental Health Agreement and that this Agreement would replace the JGOS.

2.Non-governmentorganisationsThe Departments work in partnership with the non-government sector to provide a range of housing opportunities and services to meet the needs of people with mental health problems and disorders that are linked to appropriate support when it is needed and available.

ThekeyNGOproviderstothisAgreementinclude:specialisthomelessnessandmental health services, organisations which provide support that assists people to live independently in the community, mental health, tenant and other advocacy services as well as community housing providers.

CommunityhousingprovidersareaspecifictypeofNGOwhichprovidecommunityhousing in a similar manner to public housing. Under the common access system of Housing Pathways, clients use the one application form to apply for social housingassistancefromHousingNSW,AboriginalHousingOfficeandanumberofcommunity housing providers. There is a common assessment process and clients arelistedonasinglestatewidewaitinglistcalledtheNSWHousingRegister.

3. Context of the AgreementTheNSWGovernmentagencies’commitmenttoimprovingservicestopeopleinNSWwithmentalhealthproblemsanddisordersisunderpinnedbyanumberofwhole of government policy initiatives, including:

• TheNSW Interagency Action Plan for Better Mental Health which committed NSWGovernmentagenciestopromotestabilityandgoodqualityoflifeforpeople with mental illness living in the community by bringing together acute and continuing care, clinical services, housing, community support services, education and training, welfare and employment support

• TheNSW Homelessness Action Plan,whichcommitsNSWGovernmentagencies to a range of strategies that aim to prevent homelessness, respond effectively to homelessness and break the cycle of homelessness

• Keep Them Safe Action Plan,whichcommitsNSWGovernmentagenciestoimproving outcomes for children, young people and families who may be at risk as a result of various factors including mental health issues

• TheNSW Youth Action Plan which has a focus on building resilience in young people to reduce the impact of mental health issues.

This Agreement is aligned to and is consistent with these whole of government policy initiatives. It will also align with and build on any existing Agreements or Memorandums of Understanding concerned with mental health problems and disorders that have been developed between one or more partner agencies, such as theMOUbetweenAgeing,DisabilityandHomeCareandNSWHealth,whichguidesthe provision of coordinated services to people with an intellectual disability and a mental illness.

Page 6: Housing and Mental Health Agreement · The Housing and Mental Health Agreement (the Agreement) provides the overarching framework for planning, coordinating and delivering mental

Housing and Mental Health Agreement6

This Agreement replaces the Joint Guarantee of Service, integrates the Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI) and is consistent with the principles establishedpreviouslyundertheNSWHousingandHumanServicesAccord.

Recovery oriented services

Recoveryisapersonalandongoingprocess,definedandledbytheindividual.Recoveryfrommentalillnesshasbeendescribedasajourney,sometimeslifelong,through which a mental health consumer achieves independence, self-esteem and a meaningful life in the community.6

Recovery focused care works with a person’s strengths and encourages hope, resilience, coping skills, self-acceptance and physical health. It is based on working holistically and tailors services to the needs of the client. Each individual has different needs which may change over time. A recovery orientation to providing services is central to ensuring that people receive the services that best meet their needs as they change. Key external resources that can support the recovery process include: social support, secure housing, meaningful activity, medication, professional assistance and networking with appropriate services.7

The Agreement endorses providing recovery oriented mental health support as good practice.

4.AimsandobjectivesThe aim of this Agreement is to improve the housing outcomes and general well-being of people with mental health problems and disorders who are living in social housing or who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

ThekeyobjectivesofthisAgreementareforthepartiestoworkinpartnershipwitheach other and the non-government sector to:

• Promotegoodpracticeinservicedeliverywhenrespondingtopeoplewithmentalhealth support needs

• Delivercoordinatedclient-focusedserviceswhichareflexibleandmeetthediverse needs of people with mental health problems and disorders

• Implementearlyinterventionandpreventioninitiativeswhereverpossible

• Strengthentransitionplanningtopreventhomelessnessforpeoplemovingtoorfrom health services or other relevant facilities

• Ensurepeoplewithmentalhealthproblemsanddisordersreceiveaconsistentresponse when they access mental health and/or housing services.

5. Signatories to the AgreementThe signatories to the Housing and Mental Health Agreement are:

• DepartmentofFamilyandCommunityServices(FACS)–encompassingallitsagencies:HousingNSW,AboriginalHousingOffice,CommunityServicesandAgeing,Disability&HomeCare

• NSWHealth

The signatories recognise that Juvenile Justice and Aboriginal Affairs are important partneragenciesthatcancontributesignificantlytotheachievementoftheoutcomes of this Agreement. These agencies will be consulted through, and invited to participate in, the governance arrangements outlined in the Agreement. Over time, it is likely that other agencies will also be included as partners to the Agreement.

Page 7: Housing and Mental Health Agreement · The Housing and Mental Health Agreement (the Agreement) provides the overarching framework for planning, coordinating and delivering mental

7Housing and Mental Health Agreement

Thesignatoriesalsorecognisenon-governmentorganisations(NGOs)askeyproviders of services to people with mental health problems and disorders and responding to homelessness, and are committed to working with them in partnership.

6. Terms This Agreement may be reviewed as required and it can be terminated in writing by mutual agreement of each signatory Department. Either Department may withdraw from the agreement by giving six months written notice to the other signatory Department to the Agreement.

7. Scope The target groups for this Agreement are:

• Peoplewithmentalhealthproblemsanddisorderswhoareover16yearsoldandhomeless or at risk of homelessness

• Socialhousingtenantswhosetenancymaybeatriskbecauseofmentalhealthsupport needs8.

These target groups include situations where a social housing tenancy may be at risk because of the mental health support needs of a family member or other person living in the household, regardless of the age of this person.

The Agreement also recognises that people in these circumstances may have a range of complex needs arising from dual diagnosis and other co-morbidities such as intellectual disability, drug and alcohol issues etc.

The Agreement provides a framework to coordinate planning and delivery of services for the target group. It operates within existing resources and where possible existing structures. Each agency will separately determine client eligibility, access and prioritisation according to its policies and procedures.

ThekeytermsusedinthisAgreementaredefinedinAppendix1.

8. Principles The following principles underpin the signatory agencies’ approach to assisting clients, and to developing across agency support services. The principles are:

• Secure,accessible,appropriateandaffordablehousingassistsclientswithmental health problems and disorders by providing stability and the opportunity to build networks, which helps to maximise the outcomes for clients receiving support from other government and non-government agencies.

• Whereaclientwithmentalhealthproblemsanddisordershasarangeofneedscollaboration between services is essential to provide effective support.

• Servicesprovidedforpeoplewithmentalhealthproblemsanddisordersneedtobeflexiblewhereverpossibletotakeaccountofthefluctuatingnatureofmentalillness.

• Supportismosteffectiveifitisprovidedasearlyaspossibleintheemergenceofclients’ mental health problems and disorders.

• Arecovery-orientedapproachtoprovidingservices,whichisledbythepersonwith a mental health problem or disorder, best supports this person to achieve independence, self-esteem and a meaningful life in their community.

Page 8: Housing and Mental Health Agreement · The Housing and Mental Health Agreement (the Agreement) provides the overarching framework for planning, coordinating and delivering mental

Housing and Mental Health Agreement8

• Servicesneedtobeculturallycompetent,inclusiveoffamilies,carersandthecommunityandrecognisetheimportanceofpreservingsignificantnetworksandrelationships.

• Therightsandresponsibilitiesofpeoplewithmentalhealthproblemsanddisordersmustalwaysberespected,includingtheirrighttoconfidentialityandprivacy in accordance with applicable laws and policies and their right to make an informed decision to refuse a service.

• Consumers,theirfamilies,advocatesandcarers,aswellassocialhousingtenants, should be invited to participate in policy development, service design and delivery and staff training where possible and appropriate.

• Ongoing,structuredcommunicationswithpartnersarecrucialforeffectiveplanning, coordination, delivery, monitoring and review of housing, mental health and support services for mutual and potential clients.

• Fairandtransparentdecision-makingprocessesbyallpartiesarerequired.

9. CommitmentsThe Parties to this Agreement are committed to:

1. Promoting good practice in delivering coordinated services at the local level when responding to people with mental health support needs

2. Collaborating with non-government organisations as equal partners in providing mental health, accommodation support, specialist homelessness and housing services

3. Strengthening integrated service planning across government agencies as well as government and non-government sectors

4. Delivering coordinated client-focused services to people with mental health problems or disorders

5. Improving transition planning to prevent homelessness for people with mental health problems or disorders

6. Embedding the principles and commitments of the Agreement into standard business practice.

10. Elements of good practice when delivering coordinated services to people with mental health problems and disordersThis Agreement recognises that good practice in delivering coordinated services to people with mental health problems and disorders requires service providers to:

• Communicateregularlywithotherserviceprovidersworkingwiththeclientgroup

• Understandtherolesandresponsibilitiesofotherproviders

• Shareinformationaboutstrategies,programsandresourcesforsupportingclients with mental health problems and disorders

• Notifytheappropriateagencyassoonaspossiblewherethereareanyissuesthat may place the clients tenancy at risk so that the issues can be addressed and the tenancy maintained

• Agreeonaprocessforearlyinterventiontopreventhomelessness

• Developlocalreferralnetworksandagreeonprotocolsformakingreferrals,including a process for providing feedback on the outcome of referrals

Page 9: Housing and Mental Health Agreement · The Housing and Mental Health Agreement (the Agreement) provides the overarching framework for planning, coordinating and delivering mental

9Housing and Mental Health Agreement

• Exchangeclientinformationwithotherservicesappropriatelyandeffectivelywithin the relevant privacy legislation

• Provideservicesinarecoveryorientedframework

• Developmechanismstodiscussindividualclients(whererelevantandappropriate,andwithintherelevantprivacylegislation),undertakejointclient-focused planning and agree on shared responses

• Identifyandresolvelocalandbroaderissueswhichimpactonhowservicesareprovided, or escalate issues appropriately if they cannot be resolved locally.

The implementation of this Agreement will promote these good practice strategies and assist partner agencies and non-government organisations to incorporate them into the way they deliver services to the target groups.

11. ImplementationThis Agreement commits signatory Departments to implementing a range of actions consistent with the principles and commitments of the Agreement. Each signatory Department will develop its own high level implementation plan.

The Agreement is to be implemented through local structures. In particular, the Agreement supports the use, where possible, of existing local structures such as the existing Joint Guarantee of Services committees.

A key aim of each local structure will be to promote good practice in delivering coordinated services to people with mental health problems and disorders. Each localstructurewilldevelopitsownworkplan,basedonanagreedtemplate.Whilstthesestructureswillhavesomeflexibilityintheworkplantodeterminetheirownpriorities, they will be required to report on an agreed set of outcomes.

The reporting under the Agreement will focus on capturing information on how the agencies are working together and promoting good practice. Reporting on the implementation of the Agreement will occur through the following governance arrangements.

12. GovernanceTheDirectorsGeneralforNSWHealthandtheDepartmentofFamilyandCommunity Services will report on the Agreement to their respective Ministers annually.

To ensure that the Departments are implementing the principles, commitment and actions from this Agreement a number of oversighting structures will be used:

• HousingandMentalHealthSeniorExecutiveGroupmeeting,anexistingmeetingbetweenHousingNSWandNSWHealth,willoverseeimplementationoftheAgreement.ThisGroupwillreporttotheDirectorGeneralsofNSWHealthandtheDepartmentofFamilyandCommunityServices.SeniorExecutivesofallFACSagencieswillbeinvitedtoparticipateinthesemeetings.JuvenileJusticeand Aboriginal Affairs, as partner agencies, will also be invited to this meeting when appropriate.

• AstatewideInteragencyImplementationCommitteewillmeetmonthlytomonitordeliveryofactionsinthefirst12monthsoftheAgreement.Itwillreportontheimplementation of the Agreement to the Housing and Mental Health Senior Executives.MembershipofthiscommitteewillcompriseallFACSagenciesandNSWHealth.JuvenileJusticeandAboriginalAffairswillbeinvitedtothese

Page 10: Housing and Mental Health Agreement · The Housing and Mental Health Agreement (the Agreement) provides the overarching framework for planning, coordinating and delivering mental

Housing and Mental Health Agreement10

meetingswhenappropriate.RelevantconsumerandNGOpeakorganisationswill also be invited to participate in these meetings in an advisory capacity. The committee will be reviewed after 12 months. Details of reporting requirements to ensure that actions are being implemented will be developed by the Interagency Implementation Committee, as will guidelines to support implementation and the template for local structure workplans.

• Regionalstructureswillbeusedtooverseelocalworkplansandreceivereports from local structures on the implementation of the Agreement. These regional structures will report to the Implementation Committee. These regional structures will also be the forum for local structures to escalate systemic issues forresolution.NSWHealth’sparticipationinexistingFACSstructuressuchasRegionalExecutiveForumscouldbeutilisedforthispurpose.

• Everyquarter,theInteragencyImplementationCommitteewillinvitefeedbackfrom regional and local structures about issues that cannot be resolved. This Committee will escalate these issues to the Housing and Mental Health Senior Executives as required. The Committee will also be the forum to disseminate best practice to local structures.

• Aforumforkeygovernmentandnon-governmentagencieswillbefacilitatedannually to bring together providers of mental health, accommodation, specialist homelessness and housing services to discuss, workshop, resolve and/or escalate any issues arising from the implementation of the Agreement and/or about providing effective services to people with mental health problems or disorders who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or living in social housing.

.

Page 11: Housing and Mental Health Agreement · The Housing and Mental Health Agreement (the Agreement) provides the overarching framework for planning, coordinating and delivering mental

11Housing and Mental Health Agreement

13. A

ctio

n P

lan

to s

upp

ort

the

Hou

sing

and

Men

tal H

ealth

Agr

eem

ent

Com

mitm

ent

Act

ions

Le

ad

Part

ners

1.

1 Id

entif

y an

d no

min

ate

loca

l cha

mpi

ons1 to

driv

e th

e im

plem

enta

tion

of th

e A

gree

men

t and

pro

mot

e go

od p

ract

ice

at th

e lo

cal l

evel

FA

CS

(Hou

sing

N

SW

) and

NS

W

Hea

lth

1.2

Con

duct

an

audi

t to

iden

tify

the

exis

ting

stru

ctur

es o

r pro

cess

es

whi

ch c

ould

be

utili

sed

as th

e m

echa

nism

s fo

r im

plem

entin

g an

d co

mm

unic

atin

g th

e go

od p

ract

ice

elem

ents

and

act

ions

iden

tifie

d in

the

Agr

eem

ent.

The

audi

t will

als

o id

entif

y w

here

no

appr

opria

te lo

cal

stru

ctur

e ex

ists

.

FAC

S (H

ousi

ng

NS

W) a

nd N

SW

H

ealth

All

othe

r FA

CS

ag

enci

es a

nd

NG

Os

1.3

Stre

ngth

en e

xist

ing

stru

ctur

es o

r est

ablis

h ne

w s

truct

ures

or

proc

esse

s as

requ

ired.

FA

CS

(Hou

sing

N

SW

) and

NS

W

Hea

lth

All

othe

r FA

CS

ag

enci

es a

nd

NG

Os

1.4

Onc

e an

app

ropr

iate

loca

l stru

ctur

e is

agr

eed,

eac

h lo

cal s

truct

ure

will

dev

elop

a jo

int w

ork

plan

whi

ch id

entif

ies

loca

l prio

ritie

s, e

nsur

es

serv

ices

are

cul

tura

lly a

ppro

pria

te a

nd w

here

app

ropr

iate

, lin

ks w

ith

othe

r int

erag

ency

agr

eem

ents

and

wor

k pl

ans

All

FAC

S

agen

cies

and

N

SW

Hea

lth

NG

Os

1.

Pro

mot

ing

good

pr

actic

e in

del

iver

ing

coor

dina

ted

serv

ices

at

the

loca

l lev

el

whe

n re

spon

ding

to

peop

le w

ith m

enta

l he

alth

sup

port

need

s

1.5

Faci

litat

e co

mm

unic

atio

n be

twee

n se

rvic

es a

t the

loca

l lev

el to

:

1.5.

1 E

xcha

nge

info

rmat

ion

abou

t the

role

s an

d re

spon

sibi

litie

s of

ea

ch a

genc

y

1.5.

2 Fa

cilit

ate

the

exch

ange

of c

lient

info

rmat

ion

1.5.

3 S

hare

info

rmat

ion

abou

t pro

gram

s, s

ervi

ces

and

hous

ing

optio

ns a

vaila

ble

to th

e ta

rget

gro

up to

iden

tify

cros

s ag

ency

refe

rral

pa

thw

ays

1.5

.4 A

gree

on

a pr

oces

s fo

r ear

ly in

terv

entio

n to

pre

vent

All

FAC

S

agen

cies

and

N

SW

Hea

lth

NG

Os

1 Loc

al c

ham

pion

s ar

e se

nior

man

ager

s w

ho a

re re

spon

sibl

e fo

r the

impl

emen

ting

the

Agr

eem

ent

Page 12: Housing and Mental Health Agreement · The Housing and Mental Health Agreement (the Agreement) provides the overarching framework for planning, coordinating and delivering mental

Housing and Mental Health Agreement12

Com

mitm

ent

Act

ions

Le

ad

Part

ners

ho

mel

essn

ess

1.5.

5 A

gree

on

prot

ocol

s fo

r mak

ing

and

resp

ondi

ng to

refe

rral

s

1.5.

6 S

treng

then

pla

nnin

g fo

r ser

vice

s in

rela

tion

to a

ccom

mod

atio

n an

d su

ppor

t e.g

. HA

SI

1.6

Est

ablis

h on

-goi

ng c

omm

unic

atio

n w

ith fu

nded

and

con

tract

ed

NG

Os

in re

latio

n to

the

impl

emen

tatio

n of

the

Agr

eem

ent

All

FAC

S

agen

cies

and

N

SW

Hea

lth

NG

Os

1.7

Dev

elop

and

impl

emen

t an

effe

ctiv

e es

cala

tion

mec

hani

sm fo

r sy

stem

ic o

r ope

ratio

nal i

ssue

s th

at c

an’t

be a

ddre

ssed

at t

he lo

cal l

evel

A

ll FA

CS

ag

enci

es a

nd

NS

W H

ealth

NG

Os

1.8

Pro

mot

e th

e pr

inci

ples

, com

mitm

ents

and

act

ions

of t

he H

ousi

ng

and

Men

tal H

ealth

Agr

eem

ent t

o im

prov

e pr

actic

e an

d se

rvic

e de

liver

y to

the

targ

et g

roup

All

FAC

S

agen

cies

and

N

SW

Hea

lth

NG

Os

1.9

Pro

vide

opp

ortu

nitie

s fo

r con

sum

ers

and

thei

r fam

ilies

, car

ers

and/

or a

dvoc

ates

, and

for s

ocia

l hou

sing

tena

nts

to c

ontri

bute

to

impr

ovin

g se

rvic

e de

liver

y w

here

pos

sibl

e

FAC

S (H

ousi

ng

NS

W) a

nd N

SW

H

ealth

All

othe

r FA

CS

ag

enci

es a

nd

NG

Os

1.10

Act

ivel

y en

cour

age

rele

vant

age

ncy

staf

f to

com

plet

e M

enta

l H

ealth

Firs

t Aid

trai

ning

A

ll FA

CS

ag

enci

es a

nd

NS

W H

ealth

NG

Os

1.11

Dev

elop

gui

delin

es fo

r sta

ff to

sup

port

good

pra

ctic

e in

del

iver

ing

coor

dina

ted

serv

ices

to th

e ta

rget

gro

up a

nd im

plem

entin

g th

e A

gree

men

t

FAC

S (H

ousi

ng

NS

W)

All

othe

r FA

CS

ag

enci

es, N

SW

H

ealth

and

NG

Os

2.

Col

labo

ratin

g w

ith

non-

gove

rnm

ent

orga

nisa

tions

as

equa

l par

tner

s in

pr

ovid

ing

men

tal

2.1

Wor

k co

llabo

rativ

ely

with

NG

Os

to c

oord

inat

e th

e de

liver

y of

se

rvic

es to

the

targ

et g

roup

by:

2.1.

1 Id

entif

ying

NG

Os

that

pro

vide

ser

vice

s an

d su

ppor

t to

peop

le

with

men

tal h

ealth

pro

blem

s or

dis

orde

rs w

ho a

re h

omel

ess,

at r

isk

FAC

S (H

ousi

ng

NS

W) a

nd N

SW

H

ealth

NG

Os

Page 13: Housing and Mental Health Agreement · The Housing and Mental Health Agreement (the Agreement) provides the overarching framework for planning, coordinating and delivering mental

13Housing and Mental Health Agreement

Com

mitm

ent

Act

ions

Le

ad

Part

ners

he

alth

, ac

com

mod

atio

n su

ppor

t, sp

ecia

list

hom

eles

snes

s an

d ho

usin

g se

rvic

es

of h

omel

essn

ess

or li

ving

in s

ocia

l hou

sing

2.1.

2 E

ngag

ing

and

wor

king

in p

artn

ersh

ip w

ith th

ese

NG

Os

at th

e lo

cal l

evel

to c

oord

inat

e su

ppor

t and

ser

vice

s to

the

targ

et g

roup

2.1.

3 M

aint

aini

ng a

ctiv

e co

mm

unic

atio

n w

ith re

leva

nt N

GO

s ab

out

serv

ices

, pro

gram

s an

d in

itiat

ives

to b

ette

r ass

ist t

he c

lient

gro

up

3.1

Whe

n re

view

ing

or c

omm

enci

ng f

undi

ng c

ontra

cts

with

NG

Os,

ag

enci

es w

ill a

ssis

t ser

vice

pro

vide

rs a

lign

thei

r se

rvic

e m

odel

with

the

prin

cipl

es a

nd c

omm

itmen

ts o

f the

Agr

eem

ent w

here

rele

vant

All

FAC

S

agen

cies

and

N

SW

Hea

lth

NG

Os

3.2

Eng

age

in jo

int p

lann

ing

with

par

tner

age

ncie

s an

d re

leva

nt N

GO

s fo

r dev

elop

ing,

impr

ovin

g an

d/or

exp

andi

ng s

ervi

ces

in re

spon

se to

id

entif

ied

need

and

ser

vice

gap

s

All

FAC

S

agen

cies

and

N

SW

Hea

lth

NG

Os

3.3

Bui

ld a

n ev

iden

ce b

ase

thro

ugh

exis

ting

data

col

lect

ion

mec

hani

sms

and

shar

e be

st p

ract

ice

to in

form

the

plan

ning

and

de

liver

y of

ser

vice

s fo

r the

targ

et g

roup

on

an o

n-go

ing

basi

s

All

FAC

S

agen

cies

and

N

SW

Hea

lth

3.

Stre

ngth

enin

g in

tegr

ated

ser

vice

pl

anni

ng a

cros

s go

vern

men

t age

ncie

s an

d ac

ross

the

gove

rnm

ent a

nd n

on-

gove

rnm

ent s

ervi

ce

sect

ors

3.4

Pro

mot

e an

d co

mm

unic

ate

the

impl

emen

tatio

n of

the

Agr

eem

ent

thro

ugh

mec

hani

sms

such

as

the

laun

ch o

f the

upd

ated

HA

SI m

anua

l ac

ross

NS

W

FAC

S (H

ousi

ng

NS

W) a

nd N

SW

H

ealth

All

othe

r FA

CS

ag

enci

es a

nd

NG

Os

4.1

Mak

e re

ferr

als

to o

ther

ser

vice

s w

here

a c

oord

inat

ed c

ross

age

ncy

resp

onse

to c

lient

nee

d is

requ

ired

(to a

cces

s st

able

hou

sing

or s

usta

in

a te

nanc

y

FAC

S (H

ousi

ng

NS

W) a

nd N

SW

H

ealth

NG

Os

4.

Del

iver

ing

coor

dina

ted

clie

nt-

focu

sed

serv

ices

to

peop

le w

ith m

enta

l he

alth

pro

blem

s or

di

sord

ers

4.2

Inve

stig

ate

issu

es a

roun

d sh

arin

g of

info

rmat

ion

with

/with

out

cons

ent i

nclu

ding

:

4.2.

1 C

larif

ying

resp

onsi

bilit

ies

4.2.

2 Tr

aini

ng a

s ap

prop

riate

for s

taff

FAC

S (H

ousi

ng

NS

W) a

nd N

SW

H

ealth

All

othe

r FA

CS

ag

enci

es a

nd

NG

Os

Page 14: Housing and Mental Health Agreement · The Housing and Mental Health Agreement (the Agreement) provides the overarching framework for planning, coordinating and delivering mental

Housing and Mental Health Agreement14

Com

mitm

ent

Act

ions

Le

ad

Part

ners

4.

3 E

xcha

nge

clie

nt in

form

atio

n ef

fect

ivel

y (w

ithin

app

ropr

iate

le

gisl

atio

n) a

ccor

ding

to th

e C

lient

Info

rmat

ion

Sha

ring

Sch

edul

e an

d us

ing

an a

ppro

pria

te c

onse

nt fo

rm

All

FAC

S

agen

cies

and

N

SW

Hea

lth

NG

Os

4.5

Not

ify o

ther

ser

vice

par

tner

s of

cha

nges

to a

tena

ncy

or th

e su

ppor

t pr

ovid

ed to

a c

lient

as

soon

as

poss

ible

A

ll FA

CS

ag

enci

es a

nd

NS

W H

ealth

NG

Os

5.1

Impl

emen

t the

Ser

vice

Prin

cipl

es fo

r M

ulti

Age

ncy

Exi

t Pla

nnin

g to

P

reve

nt H

omel

essn

ess

as p

art o

f the

NS

W H

omel

essn

ess

Act

ion

Pla

n A

ll FA

CS

ag

enci

es a

nd

NS

W H

ealth

5

Impr

ovin

g tra

nsiti

on

plan

ning

to p

reve

nt

hom

eles

snes

s 5.

2 U

nder

take

dis

char

ge a

nd tr

ansi

tion

plan

ning

to a

ddre

ss lo

ng te

rm

hous

ing

and

acco

mm

odat

ion

need

s at

the

poin

t the

clie

nt e

nter

s a

heal

th s

ervi

ce o

r oth

er re

leva

nt fa

cilit

y

NS

W H

ealth

N

GO

s

6.1

Em

bed

the

aim

s, p

rinci

ples

and

com

mitm

ents

of t

he A

gree

men

t int

o re

leva

nt p

olic

ies

and

proc

edur

es

All

FAC

S

agen

cies

and

N

SW

Hea

lth

NG

Os

6.2

Rev

iew

pol

icie

s an

d pr

oced

ures

for f

unde

d an

d co

ntra

cted

NG

Os

as re

quire

d to

em

bed

aim

s, p

rinci

ples

and

com

mitm

ents

of t

he

Agr

eem

ent a

nd fa

cilit

ate

NG

O p

artic

ipat

ion

in im

plem

enta

tion

at th

e lo

cal l

evel

All

FAC

S

agen

cies

and

N

SW

Hea

lth

NG

Os

6 E

mbe

d th

e pr

inci

ples

an

d co

mm

itmen

ts o

f th

e A

gree

men

t int

o st

anda

rd b

usin

ess

prac

tice

6.3

Em

bed

the

use

of a

gree

d to

ols

that

sup

port

the

impl

emen

tatio

n of

th

e A

gree

men

t (fo

r exa

mpl

e, C

lient

Info

rmat

ion

Sha

ring

Sch

edul

e an

d th

e pr

inci

ples

from

the

Mul

ti A

genc

y E

xit P

lann

ing

Pro

ject

to p

reve

nt

Hom

eles

snes

s Fr

amew

ork)

into

bus

ines

s as

usu

al

All

FAC

S

agen

cies

and

N

SW

Hea

lth

NG

Os

Page 15: Housing and Mental Health Agreement · The Housing and Mental Health Agreement (the Agreement) provides the overarching framework for planning, coordinating and delivering mental

15Housing and Mental Health Agreement

14. Effective date and signatories

Page 16: Housing and Mental Health Agreement · The Housing and Mental Health Agreement (the Agreement) provides the overarching framework for planning, coordinating and delivering mental

Housing and Mental Health Agreement16

Appendix1-DefinitionsMental health problems and mental disorders refer to the spectrum of cognitive, emotional and behavioural disorders that interfere with the lives and productivity of people.

A mental disorderisadiagnosableillnessthatsignificantlyinterfereswithanindividual’s cognitive, emotional or social abilities. Mental disorders consist of differenttypesanddegreesofseverityandsomeofthemajormentaldisordersperceived to be public health issues are depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, psychosis and dementia. The term mental illness is sometimes used instead of mental disorder.

A mental health problem also interferes with a person’s cognitive, emotional or social abilities, but to a lesser extent than a mental disorder. Mental health problems are more common mental complaints and include mental ill health temporarily experienced as a reaction to life stress. Mental health problems are less severe and of shorter duration than mental disorders, but may develop into mental disorders. The distinction between mental health problems and mental disorders is not well definedandismadeonthebasisoftheseverityanddurationofthesymptoms.

Mental illness means a condition that seriously impairs, either temporarily or permanently, the mental functioning of a person and is characterised by the presence in the person of any one or more of the following symptoms: delusions, hallucinations, serious disorder of thought form, a severe disturbance of mood, sustained or repeated irrational behaviour indicating the presence of any one or more of the symptoms referred to (Mental Health Act 2007).

From: www.mhca.org.au MENTAL HEALTH FACT SHEET A range of definitions of Mental Health/Illness

Homelessnessbydefinitionincludes:

• Primaryhomelessness-peoplesleepingroughorinimproviseddwellings.

• Secondaryhomelessness-peoplestayingintemporaryaccommodation(including emergency or refuge accommodation, occasional short stays in boarding houses or staying temporarily with friends or family because they have no accommodation of their own).

• Tertiaryhomelessness-peoplelivinginpremiseswithoutthesecurityofaleaseguaranteeing them accommodation, nor access to basic private facilities (such as a private bathroom or kitchen).9

• Client Information Exchange Schedule–developedundertheHousingandHuman Services Accord, this schedule outlines the protocols agreed by Accord agencies for exchanging information about clients between housing and support workers

Page 17: Housing and Mental Health Agreement · The Housing and Mental Health Agreement (the Agreement) provides the overarching framework for planning, coordinating and delivering mental

17Housing and Mental Health Agreement

1 AustralianBureauofStatistics,NationalSurveyofMentalHealthandWellbeing:SummaryofResults 2007, ABS, Canberra

2 Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI) for people with mental illness, Resource Manual,NSWHealth,2006.

3 P.Flatau,M.Slatter,JoBaulderstone,A.Coleman,S.Long,P.MemmottandL.Shepardforthe Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute ‘Sustaining at-risk Indigenous tenancies’ 2008citedinNSWOmbudsman,The implementation of the Joint Guarantee of Service for People with Mental health Problems and Disorders Living in Aboriginal, Community and Public Housing,November2009,page4

4 Reynolds,A.,Inglis,S&O’Brien,A.(2002)Linkages between housing and support – what is important from the perspective of people living with a mental illness. Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute: Swinburne/Monash Research Centre.

5 Social Policy Research Centre, Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI) Evaluation, Stage 1 Report 2007

6 Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI) for people with mental illness, Resource Manual,NSWHealth,2006,page2

7 Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI) for people with mental illness, Resource Manual,NSWHealth,2006,page2

8 To be eligible for social housing, the main tenant must be over 16 years of age

9 ThisdefinitionwasdevelopedbyChamberlainandMacKenzie2001.ItisusedbytheAustralianBureauofStatisticsandtheNSWHomelessnessActionPlan.

Endnotes

Page 18: Housing and Mental Health Agreement · The Housing and Mental Health Agreement (the Agreement) provides the overarching framework for planning, coordinating and delivering mental

Housing and Mental Health Agreement18

Notes

Page 19: Housing and Mental Health Agreement · The Housing and Mental Health Agreement (the Agreement) provides the overarching framework for planning, coordinating and delivering mental
Page 20: Housing and Mental Health Agreement · The Housing and Mental Health Agreement (the Agreement) provides the overarching framework for planning, coordinating and delivering mental