Measuring the impact of SAAP-funded homelessness services on client self-reliance

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Contents

• Authors, contact and acknowledgments

• Executive Summary

• 1. Introduction

• 2. Understanding 'self-reliance' in the context of homelessness

• 3. Methodology

• 4. Characteristics of the SAAP services and clients participating in the survey

• 5. Results of the client survey

• 6. Case studies

• 7. Discussion and conclusions

• References

• Appendix A: Getting Back On Your Feet: a survey of people who use homelessness services

• Appendix B: Topic guide for case study interviews

Appendix B: Topic guide for case study interviews

1. We are interested in knowing a bit about why and how you came to [service name] - would you mind telling me a bit about what was happening in your life prior to you coming to the service? How long have you been/were you homeless? Have you been homeless on more than one occasion? (explore history of homelessness)
2. How did you find out about the service?
3. We are interested to know about how the service helped you – if at all - in the following areas of your life:  [For each of the following areas ask]

Initial question:  Did the service help you with [area of life]?
Follow up question: What specifically did the service do to help you with [area of life/response(s) from initial question], that you weren’t able to do on your own – that is – prior to you coming to the service?

Areas of life

• Accommodation [prompts if necessary: getting a place to live; getting furniture etc; keeping accommodation; managing rent/mortgage/bills; cooking/cleaning/shopping]
• Employment/Income [prompts if necessary: financial assistance; looking for work; getting a job; getting a regular income; training or education; managing money]
• Connect with other organisations that could help you [prompts if necessary: income support from Centrelink; with police to get apprehended violence/exclusion orders; help with speaking/understanding English]
• Deal with other organisations [prompts if necessary: dealing with Centrelink; dealing with the law/police/gaols]
• Looking after yourself [prompts if necessary: taking prescription drugs; mental health support; support for your disability; help with Drug/Alcohol problem, other counselling services; telling other people what you need - friends/family/govt departments]
• Relationships with other people [prompt if necessary:  getting on with family or friends; getting support from family/friends/people; getting on with neighbours]
• Coping [prompts if necessary: how you feel about yourself; believing you can get back on your feet; communicating and expressing yourself; dealing with stress and problems; feeling confident, feeling safe and secure].
• Transport [prompts if necessary: getting to work; getting to the shops; getting to medical/Centrelink/court appointment; getting to family/friends/social activities]
• Child [ren] (if have) [prompts if necessary: your relationship with your children; children’s health; children’s schooling; children’s friendships; access to childcare; looking after your children; dealing with custody/access/child support]
• Anything else?
• Apart from this service and people or organisations that we have already discussed, is there anyone else or thing that has been helpful for you? How have they helped?
• As you know, this study is about ‘self-reliance’. We are interested in knowing what the term self-reliance means to you.  Can you tell me some of the things that help you be self-reliant?
• Can you tell me some of the things that hinder you from being self-reliant?
• Finally, just a few question about yourself,
  please download the Appendix B survay form PDF [31kB] | RTF [37kB]

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