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Frontline Worker Research Project on Homelessness Prevention

Frontline Worker Research Project on Homelessness Prevention

Frontline Worker Research Project on Homelessness Prevention

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Frontline workers play a critical role in preventing homelessness across the UK. Yet the realities of prevention work can look very different depending on where people work and which services they are part of. 

This research project aims to better understand how homelessness prevention operates in practice across the four UK nations, and how frontline workers are supported to deliver prevention in increasingly pressured systems. 

We are inviting frontline practitioners from a range of services to express their interest in taking part in focus groups to share their experience as part of this research.

About the research 

This research is part of a three-year study funded by Oak Foundation and carried out by researchers at I-SPHERE (Institute for Social Policy, Housing, Equalities Research) at Heriot-Watt University, in partnership with St Martin’s Charity. 

The study aims to explore: 

  • how homelessness prevention is working on the ground across the UK 
  • how different services interact when people are at risk of homelessness 
  • the pressures and challenges faced by frontline workers 
  • what helps prevention work well in practice 

The findings will contribute to national learning about homelessness prevention and help inform future policy and practice. 

Who are we looking to hear from? 

We are actively seeking frontline practitioners who regularly work with people at risk of homelessness. 

This may include staff working in: 

  • housing and homelessness services 
  • health and mental health services 
  • criminal justice services (prisons, probation, criminal justice social work) 
  • youth and education services 
  • social security, advice and poverty-related services 
  • refugee and migrant support services 

We are interested in hearing from practitioners working in both statutory and voluntary sector organisations across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

What does taking part involve? 

If you register your interest, your details will be added to a list of frontline workers interested in this research project. 

Focus groups will take place at different points during the three-year project and will explore a range of themes related to homelessness prevention. When organising each focus group, we will invite a small number of participants from this list to ensure a broad mix of roles, sectors and locations across the UK. 

If selected, you will be invited to take part in an online focus group discussion with other frontline workers. 

Places in each focus group are limited, so expressing interest does not guarantee a place. We welcome interest from frontline workers across the areas listed to help ensure a broad mix of experiences. 

Why take part? 

Taking part offers an opportunity to: 

  • contribute your experience to a national research study 
  • share insights about how prevention works in practice 
  • hear perspectives from practitioners working in other services and parts of the UK 
  • help shape understanding of the challenges and opportunities in homelessness prevention 

Frontline workers who have expressed an interest will be provided with project updates and research summaries once available.  

 

Express your interest  

If you are interested in taking part, please complete the short expression of interest form. 

Questions

If you have any questions about the project or participation, please contact: 

frontline@stmartinscharity.org.uk 

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