SCSH National Homelessness Conference 2009: Taking Stock of Homelessness

- Apex International Hotel 5 & 6 November 2009

It is 10 years since the Homelessness Task Force was formed, 6 years since the target that no-one should have to sleep rough, and only 3 years until the full implementation of the Homelessness legislation in 2012.

This year’s national homelessness conference offers the chance to take stock of what has been achieved, what works well, and what still needs to be done. It offers an ideal opportunity to learn about policy and practice at home and abroad, share ideas and galvanise the momentum needed to keep Scotland’s homelessness strategy on track.

Click here to download a booking form (Size: 2.7MB)

Employment Vacancies

- Part Time Network Co-ordinator - Scottish Homelessness and Employability Network (SHEN) (Part-time: 0.4FTE)

The network influences policy and practice at local and national level to improve employment and training for those affected by homelessness. The postholder will, with the support of a Steering Group, take responsibility for co-ordinating and promoting the activity of the Scottish Homelessness and Employability Network.
Previous experience in homelessness and/or employability is essential. The post is based in Edinburgh. To download the application pack please see the links below -

Covering letter
Job description
An equal opportunities monitoring questionnaire
Job application form

- Administrator (Events and Publications) (Fixed term – 1 year, Part-time; 0.7FTE)

Based in Edinburgh, we are looking for looking for a highly organised individual to administer our events and publications. The post will also involve a mixture of secretarial duties and day-to-day maintenance of our electronic communications. The ideal applicant will have a friendly, person-centred attitude to work and proficient IT skills. To download the application pack please see the links below -

Covering letter
Job description
An equal opportunities monitoring questionnaire
Job application form

SCSH Members Consultation on the Draft Housing (Scotland) Bill

- SCSH Offices 26 June 2009

The Scottish Government is consulting on the contents of a housing bill which is likely to be introduced next year. The initial consultation covers reforms to the Right to Buy and reforms to the powers and duties of the Scottish Housing Regulator.

SCSH will hold a members’ information and consultation event on Friday 26 June at the SCSH offices in Wellgate House from 10am to approx 12.30pm. This will give an opportunity to be briefed on the content of the consultation document and help shape SCSH’s response.

The event is free to members – places are limited and allocated on a first - come, first - served basis.

Click here to download a booking form

Brilliant Bargain Booklets!

March 2009

At their original price, they were great value for money, but now the Award Winning ‘My Space, My Place’ guides are half price; you would be quite right to be squealing with delight and amazement whilst reading this!.

Each guide consists of 11 magazines of invaluable information aimed at young tenants aged 16 to 25 who are moving into their first tenancies. The magazines include lots of practical advice, produced in a very user friendly layout and format. These would normally be priced at £12.50 each, but are now at the bargain cost of £6.25*.

Or, if it is a guide to leaving home that would be more suitable, how about the ‘Streets Ahead’ Guide – aimed at 14 to 21 year olds. This resource was created by young people, for young people. It was £6 per copy, and is down to £3*.

To order, just call the Youth Team at SCSH on: 0131 226 4382.

* All prices exclude the P&P Charge.

Practice Bites

Our Practice Bites database is taking a retro move in image, but will be very new and up to the minute with its information. It will be a must for your ‘My Favourites’, and that old address book that is cluttering your drawer can be ditched!

To make sure you are a part of this, please e-mail Jules (see About Us Section) with your organisations details, and a blurb on what you do. A lovely logo can be included too…. in fact, even a photograph or two could be attached, if you fancy!

If you are one of the many wise ones out there who choose to take us up on this free offer, we will then e-mail you when the new look database is up and running.

Jules Oldham, Youth Team

Presentations from SCSH National Homelessness Conference 2008

- Apex International Hotel 30 & 31 October

This year’s SCSH National Homelessness Conference took place at the Apex International Hotel (Edinburgh) on the 30 and 31 October 2008. As ever our aim was to bring together those working to tackle homelessness in Scotland, and to share information, best practice and to highlight topical issues of concern.

In order to be as environmentally friendly as possible - and to allow for dissemination of information to a wider audience - we have uploaded all presentations from the conference to the website.

Click here to access the presentations from the 2008 SCSH National Homelessness Conference

Section 32A Response

SCSH has responded to the Scottish Government Consultation – Regulations made under Section 32A of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987. The regulations define circumstances in which transitional accommodation which is not permanent may be provided for unintentionally homeless households in priority need. The consultation also considers how local authorities in the future could discharge their duty to homeless households through provision of a Short Assured Tenancy.

Click on the link below to view SCSH's response.

Click here to download the Section 32A response. (Clear print document)

Making the Case for Housing Support Services

25th June 2008- Royal Physicians, Queen St, Edinburgh

Full Day Conference

SCSH held a successful full day conference on making the case for housing support services in Scotland. Presentations from both the plenaries and workshops are now available to download from the link below.

More Info: Making the Case for Housing Support Services

Practice Bites brief, innovative and replicable examples of youth housing practice

Find out what other youth housing / support projects are doing and contribute your own practice bites. Click here to access the Practice Bite database.