Redbridge Street Outreach Team (SORT)

Working in partnership with the London Borough of Redbridge, SHP has developed a street outreach team to reach rough sleepers across the whole borough.

• Aims
• Referral Criteria
• More information

Redbridge SORT Aims

We aim to locate and assess clients within 24-48 hours, and,where possible, access accommodation and access to support agencies to assist clients off the streets and break the cycle of street homelessness.

The service aims to:

• Reduce rough sleeping in Redbridge
• Ensure that anyone sleeping rough in is recorded as doing so and therefore able to access specific services for people with a history of rough sleeping
• Assist residents to access and sustain learning and achievement opportunities
• Work in partnership with external agencies to provide the best opportunities and choices for residents
• Research and explore locations where people might be sleeping rough (such as through street counts, hotspot counts and feedback from the public and other agencies).

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Redbridge SORT Referral Information

People can refer themselves to this service, and we also welcome referrals from members of the public, shopkeepers, bus drivers, ambulance crews, Police, custody officers, support agencies - anyone who is concerned about someone they think is sleeping rough.

When making a referral, the more information you can provide the more chance we have of being able to make the correct intervention on the first occasion. Useful information for us to know includes:

• Location seen bedded down - times seen
• Location seen during the day time - time seen
• Language spoken if known
• Description of the person
• If known to be begging or street drinking
• Any known risks associated with the person or location
• If the person is alone or with others

How can referrals be made?

Please call us on 0870 383 3333 or email redbridgesort@shp.org.uk

What will be done once a referral is made?

Redbridge SORT will arrange to come out and look for the person. We will carry out an assessment with them and make referrals to appropriate support services including:

• Housing Advice
• Day Centres
• Health
• Benefits
• Drug / Alcohol services
• Hostels
• ColdWeather Shelters / SWEP provisions

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More about Redbridge SORT

Redbridge SORT is made up of one staff worker and a team of volunteers who undertake street-based patrols late at night and early in the morning. The team responds to referrals and actively looks for vulnerable people sleeping on the streets of Redbridge.

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