Council pilot to end rough sleeping

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is reviewing rough sleeping support in the city and hopes to build on the pilot for a night shelter coming to an end this month.

The review, which comes as part of the Government's new national drive to get everyone in for Christmas, will consider a range of options for future provision, including alternative locations and different models of accommodation and support.

By looking at how services can be provided in "appropriate locations", the council hopes to ensure provision is well distributed across the city as well as suitable for service users and local communities.

The city council says the review will "build on the success" of a recent pilot for a night shelter in Burslem, which is set to come to an end this month.

Over the six-month period, the shelter has supported 96 people, but the council says that aspects of the shelter are not believed to be the "best approach" for long term provision.