The role of outreach: responding to primary homelessness

Outreach workers are unique in that they engage individuals before they formally become clients. While centre-based workers are able to show only their professional persona when they meet clients, outreach workers require a level of openness and authenticity in order to be able to operate effectively within the street subculture. The report suggests that for outreach to be successful, practitioners must navigate several layers of context, including relevant policies, the organisational structure of local service agencies, the local and community context in which outreach is practiced, and the immediate or situational context in which the client lives. Outreach is most effective when clients can be linked to stable and affordable supported accommodation.