Decision details

The purpose of this report is to seek approval for the Council’s Housing Options service to recruit two additional Support Officers until 31st March 2021 to manage short term accommodation for rough sleepers provided through the Next Steps Accommodation Programme (NSAP). These posts are to be fully funded by grant made available through this programme.

RESOLVED - That:
Establish two fixed term Support Officers until March 2021 to deliver NSAP. This will support the timely move-on of rough sleepers accommodated under Everyone In and ensure those who remain in ABEN / SWEP accommodation are adequately supported whilst they are there.

Option 1 - Recruit two fixed term Support Officers until March 2021 to deliver NSAP (recommended): This will support the timely move-on of rough sleepers accommodated under Everyone In and ensure those who remain in ABEN / SWEP accommodation are adequately supported whilst they are there.
Option 2 - Utilise agency staff to fulfil the Support Officer roles to deliver NSAP (not recommended): Whilst this would offer a quick solution to the need for additional staffing, it may be less cost effective due to the higher cost of agency staff. Additionally, should NSAP funding be extended beyond March 2021 it would likely alternative recruitment would need to take place anyway as agency staff could not provide a long-term solution.
Option 3 - Commission the two NSAP roles out (not recommended): This would prevent the Council for having to undertake its own recruitment exercise but would involve a separate request for quotation which could be equally time consuming. Moreover, the Council would not have the same flexibility to extend roles and manage them to fit the needs of its own Housing Options Service.
Option 4 - Do nothing (not recommended): This is not a viable option given MHCLG have awarded NSAP funding to recruit two additional staff, and non-delivery would lead to the withdrawal of funding and a shortfall in support for rough sleepers in Oldham.

Option 2 - Utilise agency staff to fulfil the Support Officer roles to deliver NSAP (not recommended): Whilst this would offer a quick solution to the need for additional staffing, it may be less cost effective due to the higher cost of agency staff. Additionally, should NSAP funding be extended beyond March 2021 it would likely alternative recruitment would need to take place anyway as agency staff could not provide a long-term solution.
Option 3 - Commission the two NSAP roles out (not recommended): This would prevent the Council for having to undertake its own recruitment exercise but would involve a separate request for quotation which could be equally time consuming. Moreover, the Council would not have the same flexibility to extend roles and manage them to fit the needs of its own Housing Options Service.
Option 4 - Do nothing (not recommended): This is not a viable option given MHCLG have awarded NSAP funding to recruit two additional staff, and non-delivery would lead to the withdrawal of funding and a shortfall in support for rough sleepers in Oldham.

Internal consultation undertaken with Strategic Housing Team and MHCLG to establish the need for the service and expected workload.