In this article, I will explore the context in which people’s struggles appear and suggest what we can do as social workers to improve the lives of some of the most misunderstood people in our society.
Cast your mind back to the Covid pandemic when ‘The Everybody In’ initiative provided hotels for people to come indoors for safety, backed by financial investment, legal frameworks and political will.
Why refuse shelter?
Despite this humanitarian response, some people refused to come indoors or behaved in such a way they could not stay in.Why would you ‘choose’ to remain on the streets during a pandemic, when safety through hotels was being provided?"
Research indicates many homeless people have hidden disabilities that affect their decision making. But by focusing on their need for safety, social workers can help them take control of their lives, says Ellie Atkins