17.1. Many people supported by the Housing Options team have experienced trauma in the past. Trauma-informed training is being delivered to all front-line council staff working within homelessness services to enable their understanding of these experiences and those who have experienced them. To ensure sensitivity to potential trauma-triggers and help prevent re-traumatisation, Housing Options officers will adopt a trauma-informed and where possible a flexible approach when arranging and conducting meetings with those accessing our services.
17.2. We will continue to monitor the proportion of LGBTIQ+ people, individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds, and other groups who may face barriers to accessing public services within our homelessness and rough sleeping services and adapt service delivery where possible to better meet their needs.
17.3. We will continue to gather and use feedback from partners and people using services to support continuous improvement and inform future service planning, ensuring a trauma-informed approach.
18.1. Veterans may experience difficulties engaging with, and placing trust in, professionals who lack a military background or an understanding of the distinctive experiences and circumstances associated with armed forces service. Without tailored approaches that acknowledge these experiences, many veterans are at risk of disengaging entirely from support. When faced with the choice between accessing mainstream homelessness services or not engaging at all, a significant proportion may opt for no engagement.