INFORMATION

FOR

NIGHTSTOP

HOSTS

WHAT IS PRESTON NIGHTSTOP?

Preston Nightstop is a registered charity working in partnership with Barnardos to provide ‘one night at a time’ emergency accommodation to single young people (16-25) who are homeless.

Accommodation is provided in the homes of volunteers throughout the Preston area, including couples, single people, families, private homes, council houses, terraced, detached etc.

There is no typical Nightstop volunteer. The network is made up of people from all walks of life who share a common concern for the homeless young people of Preston and a genuine desire to do what they can to help.

Volunteers welcome the young person into their homes and make a basic commitment to provide an evening meal, a bed for the night, bathing facilities, laundry facilities, a listening ear if the young person wants this and breakfast the following morning. Preston Nightstop provides an out of hours on-call service for volunteers to use if they experience any problems or have any queries while they have a young person with them.

Before volunteers are accepted onto the Project, they undergo an induction process which includes character references, criminal record bureau checks, an assessment and home visit, including health & safety checks and induction training, covering issues such as youth homelessness, safeguarding and protecting children, equality and diversity. Once this process has been completed, the application is taken to an ‘approvals panel’ which approves or rejects the application. All volunteers receive ongoing training and support.

HOW CAN A YOUNG PERSON USE NIGHTSTOP?

Preston Nightstop accepts referrals from a wide range of agencies such as Social Services, Housing Department, and Moving On etc. We do not accept self-referrals direct from young people.

Referrals are received by the Nightstop Co-ordinator between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Though accommodation is ‘one night at a time’, at weekends and bank holidays accommodation can be found for the whole period (either with the same host or a series of different ones).

We have a responsibility to both our volunteers and young people. We are therefore not always able to “help” and Nightstop is not suitable for everyone. We hope our referral form is clear; if the referral is borderline please contact the Co-ordinator for advice. A police check is requested at the point of referral. We cannot accept a young person who, at time of referral, is under the influence of alcohol, drugs or solvents, is known to have committed serious, violent or sexual crimes or are suffering from psychiatric illness. A member of the management team will make a decision should the police check not be returned before close of day. The Nightstop Host would then be informed of the lack of police check and any known criminal offences and will make an informed decision as to whether they accept this referral or wait until the following day when a police check can be completed.

WHAT ABOUT THE MORNING AFTER?

After their stay with a Nightstop volunteer the young person goes to a follow up agency that will work with them to find longer-term accommodation, unless you as an agency are already doing this!

Nightstop can offer subsequent nights as long as the young person is working with someone to resolve his or her emergency need for housing.

OUT OF THE AREA

If a bed is unavailable, or a young person needs to get away from the Preston area, we can give details of other Nightstop schemes.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Preston Nightstop operates a policy of confidentiality on a ‘need to know’ basis within the scheme.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Preston Nightstop is committed to operating a policy of equal opportunity and believes that no one should be discriminated against on the basis of his or her race, ethnic origin, nationality, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation or marital status.

DEPAULNIGHTSTOPUK MINIMUM STANDARDS OF PRACTICE

DEPAUL NightstopUK believes that all young people have the right to access safe, secure accommodation that is appropriate to their needs.

Nightstop is a simple concept: the provision of safe emergency accommodation for homeless young people, one night at a time in the homes of approved volunteers, until such time as appropriate housing is secured. A Nightstopper is a guest in a host’s home with safeguards and sensitivity appropriate to the particular needs and vulnerability of both parties.

To operate safely and effectively, Nightstop schemes are required to adopt the following minimum standards as part of their affiliation to DEPAUL NightstopUK. These standards are designed to protect the safety of volunteers, employees and young people taking part in the scheme.

Nightstop schemes will ensure that:

  • Young people using the scheme meet all referral criteria and that a thorough assessment of risk has been made
  • Young people using Nightstop are clear as to their rights and responsibilities whilst using the scheme
  • Hosts and family members are aware that a Nightstopper will be arriving and be prepared to show specific identification
  • Nightstop volunteer drivers carry specific identification, are adequately insured and are asked to introduce Nightstoppers to their host
  • All scheme volunteers who may come into contact with a particular Nightstopper are given relevant information that might affect that young person’s care
  • Accommodation used by anyone participating in Nightstop is safe and that appropriate devices such as smoke alarms are present with hosts informing their household insurers of their participation in a Nightstop scheme or signing a waiver to that effect
  • Appropriate emergency contacts are available to volunteers, staff and Nightstoppers
  • Operational good practice within the prevailing legislation is maintained
  • All volunteers are given a copy of the DEPAUL NightstopUK National Affiliation Criteria and the Minimum Standards of Practice
  • Implementation of these Minimum Standards is monitored by the local scheme and DEPAUL NightstopUK

Young people using DEPAUL NightstopUK schemes can expect:

  • Concise information about Nightstop, equal opportunities, confidentiality policy and how to make complaints in an appropriate format with necessary information regarding hosting arrangements and emergency contact
  • Safety and freedom from all forms of violence, abuse or harassment in a nonjudgmental, non-threatening warm and welcoming environment
  • Their own private bedroom
  • Access to washing facilities with toiletries, washing materials and suitable nightclothes where needed, with bathroom/toilet clearly indicated and main corridors appropriately illuminated
  • Privacy, should that be desired and the opportunity to go out as agreed
  • The chance to talk and be listened to without influence or pressure to change their views, beliefs or value systems in keeping with equality of opportunity
  • Not to be left alone in a hosting household
  • Clear information as to household routines, timetable facilities and boundaries with no expectation to undertake chores
  • Appropriate guidance as to emergency and evacuation procedures with reference to their particular needs
  • Drinks and meals as appropriate to their needs
  • Reasonable access to a telephone where possible
  • Transport or fares to their local destination the next day with clear instructions and timings.

To be reviewed November 2013