Pathway to a Safe Home

Sonas Housing Strategic Plan 2012 - 2014

Pathway to a Safe Home

Sonas Housing Association would

like to thank all of our supporters for helping

us in our work.

Table of Contents

Chairperson’s foreword 2

Introduction to Sonas 3

Context to strategy 4

Sonas strategy overview 2012-2014 7

Priority 1: Quality accommodation provision 8

Priority 2: Services provision and development 9

Priority 3: Advocating for change 10

Priority 4: Supporting organisational framework 11

Implementation and monitoring 12

2 Sonas Housing Strategic Plan 2012 - 2014

Chairperson’s foreword

Welcome to Pathway to a Safe Home, Sonas Housing Association’s Strategic Plan for 2012-2014. This plan builds on our work of almost twenty years in providing support and accommodation to women and children made homeless as a result of domestic violence.

Rachel MullenChairperson of Sonas

In the term of our last strategic plan, Sonas as an organisation has faced many challenges - an ongoing recession, changes in housing and homelessness policy and funding cuts. Sonas has ensured that the issue of domestic and gender-based violence remains on the agenda in this rapidly changing environment and that high quality services for women and children affected by domestic violence continue to be available.

We have ensured that services for survivors of domestic violence are embedded in the new pathway model of homeless services provision and we are delighted to be recognised as a leading provider of domestic violence housing support services in Ireland in the 2010 reconfiguration of homeless services.

I have many people to thank – our funders who recognise the need for our services and continue to support the delivery of our services; our donors and those who fundraise on our behalf who contribute so much to us and help women and children directly.

I would like to also thank the staff and the board of Sonas, all of whom work tirelessly to ensure that the needs of women and children are met. We are very grateful to all of those who have supported us in any way and we hope you continue to do so in the term of our next strategic plan.

Domestic violence is still a significant problem in Irish society affecting one in five women. In the last three years, Sonas has seen an incremental rise in the demand for our services. In the next three years we aim to ensure that we continue to meet the needs of women and children affected by domestic violence in high quality housing projects. In addition, we will continue to advocate for change on the issue of domestic violence and to work towards an Ireland where violence against women and children is no longer tolerated. Central to all of this is good organisational development and a focus on quality standards: the foundation behind our delivery of quality front-line services.

This plan outlines our strategy to ensure there is a pathway to a safe home for women and children who are currently stuck in very dangerous domestic situations. We look forward to many more years of providing support, housing and refuge to those in vulnerable situations who need our help.

Pathway to a Safe Home 3

Introduction to Sonas

Sonas Housing Association was established in 1992 as a specialist social housing organisation which provides accommodation and/or support to women and their children who are homeless primarily because of domestic violence.

Sonas understands domestic violence as a violation of human rights undermining the right of women and children to live free of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. Sonas recognises domestic violence as a gender-based crime and an expression of the unequal position of women in society.

Sonas currently has a stock of almost 100 supported housing units across a number of different areas in Dublin as well as Viva House crisis refuge, which opened in the Fingal area in 2010.

Achievements in the last strategic plan periodSonas has achieved a lot over the lifetime of its last Strategic Plan 2008-2010 and into 2011. Among the key achievements of this period are:

» The provision of high quality services and amenities for women and children. Between 2008 and 2011 we delivered support, housing and refuge to approximately 500 women and 500 children:

• Supporting almost 200 women and 220 children in supported housing

• Supporting almost 300 women and 270 children (as at end of 2011) in Viva House crisis service since June 2010

» The completion and opening of Viva House, a 24-hour refuge in Dublin 15

» The opening of 30 new units of accommodation and the provision of a housing support service in Stepaside and Belmayne

» Winner of two ICSH Awards in 2011 for Best Homeless Project for Viva House and Best Collaboration Initiative for Belmayne

» The successful implementation of a quality standards framework for housing support and refuge services - incorporating regular service user feedback and a service user database system

» Being listed as a leading provider of domestic violence housing support services in the 2010 reconfiguration of homeless services

» Increasing the profile of Sonas’ work through increased policy, interagency and media work

» Co-ordinated and published a feasibility study showing there is a need for a refuge facility in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Women and their children often become homeless as a result of domestic violence. Over 25% of the women who presented to the Irish Homeless Persons Unit had become homeless as a result of domestic violence

(Safe Home Report, Sonas Housing Association, 2004)


Context to Pathway to a Safe Home - Sonas Strategic Plan 2012-2014Sonas is operating in a rapidly changing environment. See Figure 1 for a schematic representation of the location of Sonas in the context of funders, policy-makers and the domestic violence and homeless sectors respectively. The changes we encountered during the lifetime of the last Sonas strategic plan 2008-2010 had and will continue to have a strong influence on the future direction and development of Sonas. Key among these developments is the significant changes in national homelessness and domestic violence policy and the ongoing impact of a deep recession.

The housing first approachUp until relatively recently the focus of Sonas was on the provision of supported transitional accommodation to women and children made homeless primarily as a result of domestic violence.

The launch of The Way Home, A Strategy to Address Adult Homelessness in Ireland, (2008 to 2013) in 2008 marked a significant move away from the use of emergency hostels and transitional accommodation options and a move towards a ‘housing first’ policy with the provision of more long-term housing with appropriate visiting supports where necessary. The implementation of this new policy saw Sonas engage in a detailed review and reconfiguration of its services away from the provision of transitional accommodation and towards the provision of more permanent housing accompanied by the development of visiting support services.

Sonas was identified in the Homeless Agency’s 2010 Pathway to Home report as one of a small number of named organisations providing supported accommodation. Sonas has also been identified as a provider of specialist visiting housing support for individuals who have experienced domestic violence. Sonas is now actively engaged in the development of these services and is looking forward to their effective rollout.

Figure 1: A schematic representation of the location of Sonas in the domestic

violence and homeless sectors

NationalFunders

Local Authorities

NationalPolicy-makers

SonasHousing

Association

Domestic Violence Sector

Support Organisations

Referral Organisations

Refuges

Social Housing Organisations

Dublin Regional Homeless Executive

HomelessSector


National domestic violence policyThe National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (2010-2014) was published in early 2010 by Cosc. Significantly, the first national HSE Policy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence was also published in 2010 designed to dovetail into the national strategy. The aim of the national strategy is that by the end of 2014 all incidences of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in Ireland will be understood and recognised and will be unacceptable to society. The strategy also aims to ensure that by 2014 there will be increased safety for victims together with an improved level of service provision and increased accountability of perpetrators. Sonas is identified within this strategy as a domestic violence support service in the north-east region. The HSE has conducted an audit of domestic violence services and supports available around the country that has yet to be published.

New approaches to family support service delivery The provision of support for women is clearly linked to the pressing child protection agenda and the HSE’s Family Support Network approach. A number of different family support initiatives and models are currently being piloted. These include the differential response model, the early prevention initiative, the development of more localised models of family support and the application and use of common assessment frameworks. If these approaches prove useful it is likely that they will be rolled out on a wider basis, with clear roles and responsibilities assigned to various voluntary and statutory services.

The impact of the recessionThe current economic recession coupled with stringent austerity measures has seen both significant falls in income levels and severe cuts in public spending. These are both likely to continue in the short to medium term and have had a serious impact on key areas of interest to Sonas.

Rising levels of demand for homeless and domestic violence services Rising levels of unemployment and falling income levels are leading to an increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness. Certain aspects of the recession (for example redundancy, falling incomes) can escalate domestic violence, with women out of home because of domestic violence increasingly struggling to find safe accommodation and the supports they need to regain control over their lives.

Significant cuts in funding for services and supportsThere has been a significant reduction in funding for a range of services. Domestic violence services have not escaped these cuts and funding for the sector has fallen by approximately 12% since 2008. Cuts in funding levels also mean that it is very unlikely that any additional capital funding for the housing/homeless sector will be available in the short to medium-term.


Thanks to Sonas, I learned it wasn’t my fault

and I learned how to live on my own again and survive.

Maura Name has been changed to protect identity


Our key practice principles are to:

» Maximise the safety of women and children

» Empower women to move from crisis to safety and independence through the provision of quality services

» Advocate for the rights of women and children at an individual, institutional and policy level

» Provide a woman- and child-centred approach that recognises the diverse needs and experiences of service users

» Apply an evidence-based and outcome-focused approach to our work.

Sonas strategic aims 2012-2014

» To provide good quality, safe accommodation for women and children out of home because of domestic violence

» To provide a range of accessible, high quality services and supports to empower and equip women and their children who have experienced domestic violence with the skills to live independent lives

» To be a leading voice and a positive influence informing policy and public debate on housing and homelessness issues related to domestic violence

» To put in place the necessary organisational framework required to facilitate effective services delivery and development.

Sonas strategy overview 2012-2014

Sonas MissionTo provide high quality housing, support and refuge services to women and children affected by domestic violence, empowering them to regain control over all aspects of their lives.

Sonas VisionTo be a key service provider in domestic violence accommodation support services and a leading voice influencing policy and public debate on housing and homelessness issues related to domestic violence.


Our Objectives 1.1 To implement good housing management repair and

maintenance service, as well as planned maintenance programmes (for the Sonas housing stock and Viva House) with the aid of regular house condition surveys.

1.2 To ensure high levels of occupancy and low levels of voids, to facilitate accommodation of more women and children who may need Sonas services.

1.3 To expand the housing portfolio, where opportunities arise and resources are available, to meet identified needs, and if appropriate, to collaborate with others to acquire additional accommodation.

1.4 To implement and monitor high quality accommodation standards.

Priority 1Quality accommodation provision

Our Aim To provide good quality, safe, accommodation for women and children out of home because of domestic violence

Why Access to safe housing is a basic human right

Indicators • Number of women and children

provided with quality safe accommodation (annually)

• Percentage of units provided by Sonas that meet predefined quality standards (annually)

• Minimum 80% tenant satisfaction levels.


Our Objectives 2.1 Provision of both on-site housing support as well as

flexible specialist visiting housing supports using the key working and care and case management approaches.

2.2 Provision of high quality refuge and outreach services using the key working and care and case management approaches.

2.3 Provision of specific domestic violence programmes (ie Freedom Programme) and evaluation of same.

2.4 Provision of specialist children’s services and supports.

2.5 Development of models of service and quality standards and evaluative framework for domestic violence services, based on analysis of outcomes, evidence and service user feedback.

Priority 2Services provision and development

Our Aim To provide a range of accessible, high quality services and supports to empower and equip women and their children who have experienced domestic violence with the skills to live independent lives

Why Women and children who are victims of domestic abuse have been isolated and disempowered. The provision of specialist support services can assist them to gain self-confidence and to take control of their lives

Indicators • Number of women and children

supported by Sonas

• High percentage of women supported by Sonas achieving their (support plan) goals

• Minimum 80% satisfaction levels with supports received from Sonas


Our Objectives 3.1 To influence key policy and legislative processes through

networking, collaboration and policy submissions

3.2 To increase awareness of the needs of women and children who have to leave home due to domestic violence.

3.3 To increase awareness of Sonas and the work it does to address the needs of women and children affected by domestic violence.

3.4 To ensure that the experiences and outcomes for women and children accessing services from Sonas are effectively monitored, recorded and communicated when appropriate.

Priority 3Advocating for change

Our Aim To be a leading voice and a positive influence informing policy and public debate on housing and homelessness issues related to domestic violence

Why To ensure that legislation and policy processes are better informed and strengthened to more effectively tackle the key issues affecting women and children who are affected by domestic violence

Indicators • Number of policy related submissions

and briefings prepared 1) by Sonas and 2) by Sonas in collaboration with others

• Number of media articles and features published/broadcast and their related circulation

• Percentage of the policy related fora Sonas participates in that contribute to positive changes for women and children experiencing domestic violence.


Our Objectives 4.1 To value and develop the Sonas people through

continuous professional development and application of best practice human resource policies.

4.2 Effective financial management and control.

4.3 To maximise funding opportunities.

4.4 To support effective internal communication.

4.5 To further develop efficient systems for administration, IT and file management which will effectively support the operations of Sonas.

Priority 4Supporting organisational framework

Our Aim To put in place the necessary organisational framework (structures, procedures, resources and policies) required to facilitate effective services delivery and development

Why Sonas needs sufficient internal capacity to enable it meet its mission and sustain itself in the longer term

Indicators • Percentage of Service Level Agreements

successfully completed

• Meet all statutory reporting requirements

• Number of Sonas people trained annually.


Implementation and monitoring

Responsibility for overseeing the implementation of the strategic plan rests with the Sonas Board of Management.

Progress in relation to the implementation of the plan will be assessed using the series of performance indicators. There are at least three headline performance indicators for each strategic priority. Within each of these headline performance indicators will be action-specific indicators. These indicators will be used to develop individual staff work plans.

The Sonas Board will review overall plan implementation and progress twice a year. Depending on progress and the emergence of new issues, the plan may be amended and updated.

About this planPathway to a Safe Home, the Sonas strategic plan 2012-2014, was developed by the Sonas Board of Management with support from the CEO. Grainne Healy and Kathy Walsh were commissioned to co-ordinate the plan development process. The plan was agreed and finalised by the Board in late 2011.

The development of the plan involved:

» Research into the wider national context

» Consultations with almost one third of all Sonas service users (across a number of locations)

» A workshop with Sonas staff, the senior management team and the Sonas Board of Management

» Interviews with a number of key agencies involved in different aspects of funding, policy-making, homelessness, housing and domestic violence policy and service provision.


I came to Sonas two years ago - broken, battered, with no life. In two years I have received the help and support I need.

I have a life now.

Eileen Name has been changed to protect identity

Sonas Housing Association Ltd 14 Bachelor's Walk, Dublin 1

Telephone: +353 1 8720068 Facsimile: +353 1 6865005 Email : [email protected] Website: www.sonashousing.ie

Registered Charity: CHY 10872Registered Company Limited by Guarantee Company No: 195618

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