Homelessness and Occupational Justice Mary Melvin Amy Sinclair

Homelessness and Occupational Justice Mary Melvin, Amy Sinclair, Cathy Healy, Nicola Greene, Megan O’Carroll, Jessica Holland

Aim: The aim of our presentation is: l To evaluate the services provided to homeless people in Scotland, focusing on Edinburgh and Glasgow, two of the biggest cities in Scotland

Definition of Homelessness l In the broadest sense homelessness is the problem faced by people who lack a place to live that is supportive, affordable and secure. (ODPM (2002) l Being homeless doesn’t just mean sleeping on the streets, you don’t have to be roofless to be considered homeless (Shelter 2006)

What Causes Homelessness? l Economic factors: – Access – Location – Lack of security – Gender- women l Social factors: – Domestic dispute – Environment

Homeless in Scotland l l l Edinburgh as a city Homeless services OTs role Models Successful?

Homeless in Scotland l l l Glasgow as a city Homeless services OTs role Models Successful?

Case Study Ann’s History Ann Occupational Therapy Intervention The Model of Human Occupation

Occupational Justice l Occupation as a central feature of human existence l Look beyond ‘work’. Occupations are all ways in which we occupy ourselves. (Townsend 2003) l Homelessness can affect how a person carries out an occupation with fair treatment from society. l Being homeless can impact on both physical and mental health. This can affect carrying out occupations.

Social exclusion l ‘Homelessness is not an isolated problem, but part of a broader phenomenon of social exclusion’ (housingrights. org. uk) l Evidence of identity required to obtain financial services or receiving benefits l Financial debt l Families: access to education problematic, potentially creating further difficulties for them in later life.

Conclusion l Comparison of services l The need for more OTs in this area l A change in society’s views

References: l Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (2002) More than a roof: A Report into Tackling Homelessness London: HMSO. http: //www. housing. odpm. gov. uk/information/homelessness/morethanaroof/i ndex. htm. l Crisis UK- Fighting for hope for homeless people, 2005. www. crisis. org. uk l Shelter (2006) l Shelter (2007)- Homelessness fact sheets. www. scotland. shelter. org. uk l Scottish executive publications (2007) Homelessness- An Action plan for prevention and effective response report from the homelessness task force to Scottish ministers