Severe Multiple Disadvantage among young people in Wales

Following on from work already carried out in England and Scotland, this project provides evidence on the extent and timing of Severe Multiple Disadvantage (SMD). Our analysis investigates the extent of overlap between the severe disadvantages of homelessness, mental health issues, substance use, and alcohol dependency. We will follow-up a cohort of young people from their 16th birthday, until they turn 25 years old, to explore at what age severe disadvantages are experienced, and the extent of their overlap. 

Upstream Data Lab

Upstream is a school-based intervention, aimed at identifying and working with young people most at risk of homelessness before they reach crisis-point. Our thematic area has a long-standing collaboration with Llamau, a youth homelessness charity in Wales who run the Welsh version of Upstream (‘Upstream Cymru’). We have worked to improve the screening tool used by Upstream to collect information needed to support young people, as well as analysing Upstream Cymru screening data to generate evidence on youth homelessness in Wales.  

As Upstream has now been adopted in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, we will explore UK-level analysis across devolved nations. This project will also explore whether screening tool data linked to other administrative data can help evaluate the impact of Upstream services on young people’s outcomes. 

Homewards-Newport City Council collaboration

Homewards is a five-year UK wide programme launched by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, with the aim of preventing homelessness. Newport is one of six flagship locations in the UK in which Homewards operate. One key area that Homewards focus on is harnessing data to drive policy and practice changes, which is where the ADR-Wales housing and homelessness team are contributing. Newport City Council have provided the ADR-Wales team with data about the support they provide to people experiencing homelessness.  Our analysis will focus on interactions with public and council services prior to seeking support for homelessness, with the aim of informing future prevention schemes.