'Fair' grade for homeless service

Homeless services in the Borders got a mixed report

Scottish Borders Council has been awarded a "fair" rating for its homelessness services.

It follows an inspection by housing regulator Communities Scotland in June.

The regulator praised a joint-working initiative with NHS Borders to meet the health needs of homeless people but also called for extra staff training.

An SBC spokesman said it had taken the findings of the report on board and had already taken action to deliver services of the highest standard.

SBC is the sixth largest council in Scotland by area. It delivers its service from an office in Jedburgh, with appointments offered at five other centres across the area.

The council fully takes on board the findings of the Communities Scotland inspection and has already put in place an improvement plan to ensure our services to homeless people meet the highest standards Richard Davies Scottish Borders Council

All of its homes were transferred to a not-for-profit landlord, Scottish Borders Housing Association, in March 2003.

It means the council has to work closely with partner organisations to tackle homelessness.

The head of inspection at Communities Scotland, Fanchea Kelly, said SBC had a good understanding of its strengths and weaknesses.

"Its strengths include tackling homelessness by developing a range of services with key partners including the NHS, where we saw a joint commitment to address the health needs of homeless people," she said.

"We also found key areas for improvement, such as publicity to ensure permanent accommodation is available for homeless people and further staff training to improve how decisions are made."

SBC head of housing, Richard Davies, said the authority was making moves to tackle its weaknesses.

"The council fully takes on board the findings of the Communities Scotland inspection and has already put in place an improvement plan to ensure our services to homeless people meet the highest standards," he said.

Leasing scheme

The report comes as a scheme to help tackle the problem of housing need is about to be launched in the Borders.

Orchard & Shipman has signed an agreement with SBC to find and manage private rented homes for individuals and families in need of a home.

The Private Sector Leasing project aims to help people who have lost their homes through the likes of relationship breakdown or unemployment.

The launch of the scheme will see Orchard & Shipman open an office in Galashiels - with eight staff being recruited.