housing and mental health agreement · the housing and mental health agreement (the agreement)...
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Housing and Mental Health Agreement
August 2011
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
.
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
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
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
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
15Housing and Mental Health Agreement
14. Effective date and signatories
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
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
Housing and Mental Health Agreement18
Notes