19 | A practical toolkit for harm reduction delivery within Housing First
Tracks
English
| Thursday, November 6, 2025 |
| 16:00 - 17:00 |
Details
This workshop will present a best practice toolkit to support developing the implementation of harm reduction practices within Housing First. The toolkit has been developed alongside support workers, managers, and people supported through Housing First by Simon Community Scotland (SCS); data were collected through focus groups and surveys, alongside a literature review. A co-production ethos was used throughout the toolkit development.
The toolkit explores the theoretical and practical steps of embedding one of the core pillars of Housing First support. Important themes for successful harm reduction are presented: organisational buy-in from care providers; community adoption of harm reduction; person- centred care; and trusting relationships. Key strategies for reducing substance-use related, and other potential harms (e.g. gambling, hoarding) through the Housing First pathway are then provided, as well as workforce training needs. Finally, the importance of applying the Housing First principles, including harm reduction, irrespective of accommodation type, is posed.
Speaker
Kieran Turner
Research And Evaluation Lead
Simon Community Scotland
A practical toolkit for harm reduction delivery within Housing First
Biography
Kieran is Research and Evaluation Lead at Simon Community Scotland. He has led the toolkit development - working closely with Simon Community Scotland’s harm reduction team and Housing First managers, support workers, and people supported through Housing First. He has also carried out internal evaluations and contributed to service development.
