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Homeless Action Plan 2007-2010

Care and Case Management

Care and Case Management of complex needs in homelessness is a core aspect of current developments within homeless service provision in the Dublin region. Structures and processes are in development to inprove collaborative service provision.

The Homeless Agency have committed  to the implementation of a Care and Case Management system across homeless servicesin Dublin, as outlined in  Core Action 4 in A Key to the Door.  The establishment of a clear and workable framework underpinning Care and Case Management is vital to the partnership achieving it's Vision, which is about achieving long-term homelessness and the need to sleep rough by 2010.

Please click here to see the progress made on the implementation of the Holistic Needs Assessment and the Care and Case Management approach across the homeless services sector in Dublin.

What is Care and Case Management?

Care Management is the support provided to the case management process through sector wide planning, monitoring, evaluating, and 'trouble-shooting'. The Care Manager is responsible for co-ordination, supporting case managers, dealing with barriers and blockages across and between sectors. This role is provided by the Homeless Agency's Integrated Services Coordinator. 

Case Management is a process, which is used to holistically provide multiple services to an individual/family, through the use of a detailed assessment and development of a care plan relevant to their distinct needs. The Case Manager is responsible for planning and management of individual cases within and across relevant organisations.

The Case Management Model will involve the development of a range of case management tools and processes, in consultation with service providers, which will improve collaborative service delivery. These tools include:

  • Holistic Needs Assessment Tool
  • Risk Assessment
  • Care Plan
  • Job Description of Care Manager
  • Job Description of Case Manager
  • Interagency protocols, such as: referral protocol, responsibilities and accountability agreement, case conference protocols, confidentiality agreement & data protection protocol, gaps and blocks protocol; detailing external and internal supports
  • Monitoring and evaluation mechanism
  • Service user feedback mechanism
  • Outcome measurement

Role of the Care and Case Management Steering Group

The role of the Care and Case Management Steering Group is to oversee the process of development and implementation of the Case Management Model across homeless services. The Steering Group has initiated a number of Subgroups, which focus on specific tasks.

These subgroups pull together expertise on particular issues and develop proposals to improve current structures for the Steering Group.

Care and Case Management Thematic Subgroups

A number of Care and Case Managemt Thematic Subgroups have been set up. They are time limited and have the brief of developing proposals  for the Steering Group, which outline policy and practice charges, which should improve Care and Case Management of people experiencing homelessness.

In April 2008, four thematic subgroups had completed their tasks, tabled proposals  to the Care and Case Management Steering Group and disbanded. These subgroups were:

1. Continuum of Care Model
2. Interagency Protocols Development
3. Women with High/Multiple Needs
4. Repeat Nightbus Service Users

Since April 2008, two Thematic Subgroups have continued to operate, and 4 new subgroups have been initiated, or are about to begin. The continuing subgroups are:

1. Multi-Agency Group (MAG) on Homeless Sex Offenders
2. Prison Discharge

The new subgroups are:

1. Hospital Discharge
2. Families
3. Pilot Steering Group
4. Youth