Positive Practice Hub – Good Practice in Safeguarding

North Northamptonshire Council Adult Social Care supported a 19-year-old male, who had a diagnosis of autism, verbal and communication challenges where concerns were raised by his parents about possible neglect and physical/psychological abuse by his care provider. The parents also contacted the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

 A Section 42 safeguarding enquiry was initiated immediately, resulting in a same-day visit. The individual agreed to meet with a duty worker, supported by his carers. No immediate risks were identified, but the investigation continued due to the number of concerns raised. An advocate was involved to support communication, and a person-centred approach was used including visual tools and gestures to help the individual express his feelings. The care manager viewed care records, spoke with the registered manager, and gathered additional views, including from a personal assistant. Regular updates were provided to the parents throughout the process.

The enquiry found no evidence to support the allegations of abuse and concluded that the concerns were more likely linked to parental anxieties. It was also identified that the individual lacked peer support, which was addressed by the social worker.

In January 2024, Executive approval was granted for North Northamptonshire Council to utilise Public Health Reserves to fund specialist wraparound support roles for individuals experiencing rough sleeping. These roles were designed to complement the Council’s existing Rough Sleeping Team by providing targeted drug and alcohol support, as well as mental health intervention. The aim was to improve engagement with this often complex and transient cohort, while advocating on their behalf to ensure access to appropriate treatment pathways where rough sleeping had previously presented a barrier.

A Band 6 Mental Health Social Worker commenced in post in July 2024 and initially worked alongside Street Outreach Workers to identify individuals requiring mental health support and build rapport with them. It was quickly recognised that the role could have a broader impact, particularly in supporting individuals experiencing homelessness by providing important information to help assess ‘priority need’.

Where individuals present to the Council and are assessed as homeless, eligible and in priority need they are entitled to be provided with temporary accommodation while their homeless application is assessed. Priority need can be established through factors such as vulnerability due to mental health conditions, physical disability, serious illness, or a history of care or imprisonment. However, evidencing these vulnerabilities can often be challenging and time-consuming.

Since taking up the role, the Band 6 Mental Health Social Worker has helped prevent several individuals from becoming street homeless by verifying and evidencing their priority need in accordance with the statutory assessment.

One example is Peter, who presented to the Council as homeless on the day of his release from a CAS3 property following a period in prison. Without intervention, he would likely have slept rough that night. Peter disclosed a diagnosis of schizophrenia, and, with Peter’s consent, the Mental Health Social Worker accessed his medical records, confirmed the diagnosis, and enabled immediate accommodation, preventing a first night on the streets.

A second example is Alan, who was already rough sleeping when he engaged with the Rough Sleeping Team. It was quickly identified that he had significant and longstanding mental health needs. Drawing on specialist knowledge and access to relevant records, the Mental Health Social Worker was able to produce a clear summary of Alan’s condition, evidencing his vulnerability and priority need status. As a result, Alan was placed in temporary accommodation, removing him from the street and enabling ongoing support while he awaited settled housing. Without this intervention, his needs may not have been sufficiently recognised, and he could have faced delays in accessing both accommodation and mental health services.

A third example involves Sarah, who was rough sleeping and engaging with services provided by a local homelessness partner. Sarah had a history of three strokes but this important had not been included in her application, and her summary care record was unavailable. With her consent, the Mental Health Social Worker accessed her medical records, verified her condition, and secured accommodation for her on the same day.

These examples illustrate the significant impact of embedding a Band 6 Mental Health Social Worker within the Rough Sleeping Team. The role has strengthened the Council’s ability to identify and evidence vulnerability, preventing and alleviating rough sleeping for individuals in priority need who may otherwise have remained on the streets or without accommodation for extended periods.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service supported ‘Maria’ who had been recently widowed and targeted by individuals who exploited her vulnerability, gradually isolating her and taking control of her finances and property under the guise of support. As the abuse escalated, ‘Maria’ was moved between unsuitable accommodations, left without proper food, heating, communication, or medical care, and lived in hazardous conditions while suffering significant health issues. NFRS received a referral from the Police Complex Fraud Team who supported her with getting her health reviewed and with support during the prosecution of the perpetrators. Through positive multi‑agency working focusing on ‘Maria’s wishes and wellbeing, ‘Maria’ received medical treatment, safeguarding support, and was rehoused in supported living, where she is now safe, stable, and thriving.

West Northamptonshire Council Adult Social Care supported a 53-year-old woman, previously unknown to them, who was referred by a district nurse due to her mental health struggles and not taking her medication. A home visit revealed additional issues including financial hardship, lack of food, tenancy concerns, and unmanaged diabetes. The individual was ‘open’ to support, and with a multi-agency, person led response focusing on the individual’s preferred outcomes, she was supported with her medication, wound care, memory concerns, food access, and finances. Despite complex family dynamics, adult social care remains involved as her health needs are addressed.

West Northamptonshire Council Adult Social Care supported a 90-year-old Romanian woman who had come to Northampton to support her granddaughter but wished to return home after a period of time when her support was no longer needed. When a social worker became involved, the lady was a patient at Northampton General Hospital after the police had found her wandering in the street. There were initial concerns about her mental capacity.

The social worker assessed her mental capacity to make decisions and determined that she had capacity to do so. The social worker advocated her wishes and raised safeguarding concerns. She had a valid passport; however, her family had hidden this from her and were preventing her from accessing her documentation to return home. She agreed to a temporary care home placement while her passport was retrieved. After six weeks and a further hospital admission at Northampton General Hospital visit, she expressed her distress about not returning to Romania.

Through collaborative work with health services, the police, and social services in Romania, the social worker successfully retrieved her passport, arranged her a flight, and safe return home. She expressed deep gratitude upon receiving her travel documents and kissed the social worker’s hand (a gesture of gratitude in Romanian culture). It was later confirmed that she was happily settled back in her community. The case highlighted the importance of cultural awareness and multi-agency working in achieving person-centred outcomes.

A range of winter support services delivered by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC), in partnership with local organisations, have made a positive difference to people experiencing rough sleeping across West Northamptonshire. Throughout the winter period, partners worked intensively to ensure people sleeping rough or at risk of homelessness were offered accommodation, safety, and support into longer-term housing where possible. Initiatives included the Winter Night Shelter – delivered in partnership with Northampton Hope Centre – St John’s supported accommodation, and the activation of the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP).

 The Winter Night Shelter received 39 referrals over the season, with 30 people accepted for support. Outcomes from the shelter were positive, with 13 individuals successfully moving into accommodation, supported through a combination of WNC, through the private rented sector, via Northampton Partnership Homes (NPH), and supported accommodation. The shelter played a vital role in providing immediate safety, stability and engagement opportunities during the coldest months of the year. Five people were supported on a solidarity or health-related basis despite having no immediate housing pathway, receiving essential respite, recovery time and support.

During the winter period, SWEP was activated on two occasions in response to severe weather conditions supporting over 60 people. On the busiest night, 29 people were accommodated through a combination of SWEP provision and Winter Night Shelter support, ensuring that no one was left exposed to dangerous conditions. This proactive, preventative approach continues to help West Northamptonshire maintain lower-than-average levels of homelessness and rough sleeping compared with many areas nationally.

In addition, St John’s accommodation service continues to deliver life-changing support. Since it opened in November 2025, 28 people have been accommodated at St John’s, with seven individuals moving directly from the Winter Night Shelter. Four residents have already successfully moved into other accommodation, demonstrating the importance of strong, joined-up services and wraparound support.

 Former service user Emma first came to St John’s when she was facing significant life challenges and had limited confidence in her ability to move forward. With consistent support and encouragement, she began engaging in activities and building positive relationships within the centre. Today, Emma works to help and encourage others facing similar circumstances. Her journey reflects remarkable personal growth and demonstrates how the right support can empower someone not only to rebuild their own life but to positively impact the lives of others.

 These outcomes build on the Council’s wider homelessness prevention work, including specialist accommodation services designed to reduce rough sleeping before it starts. WNC will continue working with local charities, housing providers and community partners to improve access to stable housing, strengthen support services and ensure people are treated with dignity, respect and care at every stage of their journey.