Presentation given by Maggie Brunjes during the "Redistributing the power: Key steps for mainstreaming participation of homeless people" seminar at the FEANTSA 2014 Policy Conference, "Confronting homelessness in the EU: Seeking out the next generation of best practices", 24-25 October 2014, Bergamo (Italy)

1. ‘Shared Solutions’
as an innovative, collaborative
policy making method

2. | Contents
oShared Solutions The Theory
oShared Solutions In Practice
oShared Solutions Outcomes

3. The Theory | Benefits of participation
Participation should have a
positive benefit for the person
being involved. It should also
influence at one (or more!) level:
Practice
o services people use
Policy
o plans and strategies
Perception
o communities and society

4. The Theory | Shared Solutions uses the principles of ‘coproduction’
“Co-production means delivering services in an equal and reciprocal relationship between professionals, people using services, their families and their neighbours.
… early evidence suggests that this is an effective way to deliver better outcomes, often for less money”.
National Endowment for Science, Technology and Arts
www.nesta.org.uk

5. The Theory | principles of coproduction
•Recognising people as assets
•Building on people’s existing capabilities
•Mutual responsibilities and expectations
•Engaging peer and social support networks
•Blurring distinctions…

6. The Theory | What is Shared Solutions?
o‘Shared Solutions’ is the Scottish model of ‘coproduction’ used to tackle homelessness issues
oAlso used in Glasgow to tackle the broader but related issues of poverty and inequality
oContinuum – cycle of consultation and workshops
oBlends the full ranges of expertise needed to find enduring solutions - policy makers, social workers, communities and homeless people
oBuilds consensus using a democratic approach to the key problems and best solutions

7. The Theory | Why is it effective?
•Can deal with hugely complex issues in a simple way
•A range of perspectives can be considered collaboratively rather than individually
•Participants can see the challenges facing others
•Brings policy makers closer to service users

8. The Theory | Why is it effective?
•Transforms our way of thinking about power, resources, roles, partnerships and risks
•Recognises that ALL people have assets and expertise which can help improve policies and services
•Focuses on solutions, rather than just problems
•Continuum of accountability, rather than a single consultation exercise

9. The Theory | Some Challenges
oPolicy-making can be SLOW… often no immediate outcome
oChanging policy, not just context or process
oComplacency – homeless people and policy makers
oHostility – homeless people and policy makers
oRepresentation
oFacilitation

10. The Theory | What helps?
1. Favourable legislative Framework in Scotland
oFor Homelessness: every unintentionally homeless person is legally entitled to a settled home
oFor Participation: regulation and inspection of NGOs and local government to demonstrate participation of service users

11. The Theory | What helps?
2. Desire to Develop Good Practice
oTraining, Seminars and an online resource exchange about participation of homeless people
oSHIEN: Scottish Homelessness Involvement & Empowerment Network (led by Glasgow Homelessness Network, funded by Scottish Government)
oCoproduction beginning to be considered a ‘game-changer’ that could radically improve policies and services

12. In Practice | Shared Solutions: How it works
•Roundtable discussions about what is important to participants
•Small group consensus and priority setting

13. In Practice | How it works
•Voting Wall: full group consensus and priority setting
•Finding and recording practical solutions
•Should be energetic! Lots of colour and movement

14. In Practice | What can it be used for?
Anything… 
•Setting the direction
•Imagining the future
•Creating new ideas
•Resolving conflict
•Building morale
•Consulting with partners
•Learning about other’s perspectives
•Sharing solutions

15. Event:
This is our Community!
Local People at the Heart
of Housing Options
When & Where:
Stirling, Scotland 2014
Participants:
Over 100 people
In Practice | Case 1

16. In Practice | purpose of the event
‘Housing Options’ is a new national housing policy led
by national government and delivered regionally:
•To explore the extent to which local people influence local housing matters
•To highlight the benefits of local people being more involved in local housing matters
•To bring together a range of people’s personal and professional perspectives

17. Outcomes | What changed as a result?
Event priorities taken forward by the planning structures
for local housing options model at regional level:
•More professional development regarding housing markets and capacity
•Commitment to more participation of local people, including homeless people, in the housing options approach
•More promotion of housing options direct to the public (e.g. via council tax forms), but also creative routes to raise awareness via peer educators, social networking, television etc.

18. Event:
Our Community
Shared Solutions!
When & Where:
Glasgow, Scotland 2013
Participants:
Over 100 people
In Practice | Case 2

19. In Practice | purpose of the event
•Partnership with the Greater Glasgow regional Health Board of the National Health Service (NHS)
•To inform the health inequalities policy of the local health partnership
•To inform the development of local health services that are sensitive to the different forms of inequality

20. Outcomes | What changed as a result?
Event priorities directly informed the development plan and policy of the local health partnership:
•Communication & Information – reaching people
•Staff Attitudes – involving and respecting people
•Access to Services – making it easier for people

21. Event:
GHN Annual Conference:
Ready for Change
When & Where:
Glasgow, Scotland 2014
Participants:
200 people
In Practice | Case 3

22. In Practice | purpose of the event
Due to housing challenges in the City of Glasgow,
the local authority instigated a strategic review of
homelessness policy and practice:
•To inform a strategic review of homelessness policy in Glasgow
•To collaborate in ensuring person-centred services for homeless people in Glasgow

23. Outcomes | What changed as a result?
Directly inform the new homeless strategy and policy in Glasgow. Priority outcomes will now be monitored:
•Creating choice – most excluded homeless people
•Leaving Prison – returning citizens
•Housing led responses to homelessness
•The role of local people in tackling homelessness
•The role of social media in tackling homelessness

24. Thank You!
Margaret-Ann Brunjes Glasgow Homelessness Network mbrunjes@ghn.org.uk