King's College London

King’s College London Homelessness Research Programme and partners this month commence the first study in England of specialist residential care provision for people with experience of homelessness. This follows a funding award from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Research Programme for Social Care (RPSC).

The study team includes colleagues from the University of Salford, the London School of Economics and Political Science, and Royal Holloway University of London. The study will be informed by lived experience and practitioner advisory groups.

Facets of homelessness-related social exclusion, such as the effects of trauma and addiction, mean that non-specialist care homes may refuse or struggle to accommodate people. The lack of specialist provision can lead to care needs being unmet, leaving people unsupported, on the streets or unable to move on from hospital.

The two-year study will examine the components, outcomes and costs of effective provision and aims to establish an evidence base to support the development and provision of services that reduce inequalities, address distinctive care needs and improve the lives of this population. It will include case studies of four specialist care homes across England; the first application of two quality of life measures with residents and staff; and analyses of service level unit costs and of individual-level cost-consequences.