24housing's Young Leader 'disappointed' government homelessness report ignores domestic violence

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Central Government, Featured

24housing's Young Leaders award winner for 2012, Sara Parkin, says she is disappointed that a government report into tackling homelessness makes no explicit mention of domestic violence.

The report, Making Every Contact Count, published last week, outlines a list of key actions that local authorities should take to prevent homelessness.

Sara, who leads Midlands-based housing group Futures’ homelessness team, said: "I'm disappointed that there is no mention of domestic violence in the report.

“Domestic violence is the primary cause of homelessness in our area, and I believe nationally".

However, she added that the report's key recommendations were sound, if not anything new.

"An emphasis on work in schools would have been good, too. I think it's amazing that key life skills aren’t taught in schools. If the early prevention of homelessness is to be a priority , as it should be, students should be told about their housing options in preparation,” she said.

The report does recommend "better cross-service work between the voluntary sector", including health services.

Sara believes that concentrating on improving health services and a cross-agency approach to tackling homelessness are key, something alluded to in the report.

"Our team has been encouraging people to grow their own food and has been trying to raise awareness about healthier lifestyles and diets,” she explains. “Health is another important area where homelessness can be tackled".

Sara says that winning the Young Leaders Award has changed her life. During a visit to 24housing’s offices near Hereford, she said: "In some ways, winning the award has made me reflect on myself as a leader. I've started to look at and re-evaluate the things I'm good at.

"I've started thinking about how my team sees me and how I want to be seen".

Sara has been interviewed by her local media about winning the award and even took part in a live radio interview.

"Everybody has been really happy for me,” she explained. “Some of my team said they were crying when they heard me on the radio. I feel a little bit like a celebrity".

Sara did a degree in geography at Derby University, which has been in touch since her success and wants to feature her in its next prospectus.

Housing Minister Grant Shapps is also one of Sara's fans. They met when he presented the Young Leaders award to Sara at Eland House, home of the Department for Communities and Local Government. During their meeting Shapps showed huge interest in Sara's successes in tackling homelessness.

She said: "Since the meeting, his advisers have been in contact requesting stats and information about our methods".

When asked what she thought of the housing minister, she said: "I thought he was charming and nice. He was very interested and enthusiastic about my team's work".

Diplomatically, she added: "I know that some people criticise him."

Sara was at the 24housing offices to receive her prize of an iPad and to meet the team. She will guest edit the magazine's November issue and will also be shadowing National Housing Federation chief executive, David Orr, for a day in September.