10 October 2024
To mark World Homeless Day, over 40 organisations have come together to highlight the links between speech, language and communication needs and the role of speech and language therapy in supporting people experiencing homelessness as detailed in a joint policy statement from the RCSLT and the Homelessness Clinical Excellence Network
A new policy statement on homelessness published on 10 October 2024, World Homeless Day, seeks to improve outcomes for people experiencing homelessness, who often face significant communication barriers that hinder their access to essential services. Over 40 organisations have come together to highlight the links between speech, language and communication needs and the role of speech and language therapy in supporting people experiencing homelessness.
Homelessness is a complex issue that goes beyond rough sleeping, with over 320,000 individuals officially recorded as homeless in the UK. The hidden homeless, including those in precarious or unsafe housing, add to this figure. People in these situations often struggle with communication difficulties, exacerbating their challenges in accessing housing, healthcare, and social services. Jointly created by the RCSLT and the Homelessness Clinical Excellence Network (CEN), the new policy statement on speech and language therapists working in homelessness settings, emphasises the critical role that SLTs play in addressing these needs and improving the quality of life for those affected. By identifying SLCN and providing targeted support, SLTs are key to breaking down the communication barriers that perpetuate homelessness.
SLTs not only help individuals develop their communication skills but also provide training and resources to frontline staff in homelessness services. This dual approach helps ensure that communication needs are understood and addressed, leading to more inclusive service delivery.
The new policy statement highlights the importance of speech, language, and communication services in homelessness settings and calls for greater integration of SLTs into these environments. As the UK continues to grapple with rising homelessness, this policy statement provides a roadmap for improving access to essential services and delivering better outcomes for some of the most vulnerable in society.
Find out more
Visit our webpages on Homelessness and the role which speech, language and communication can play, read the new policy statement in full or find more about our calls to action which over 40 organisations are supporting.
