Why we are engaging with Aberdeenshire Council (Aberdeenshire)
We are engaging with Aberdeenshire about its services for people who are homeless.
During 2022/23 we reviewed and compared the data for all local authorities from the Scottish Government’s national homelessness statistics and the Annual Returns on the Charter. We also spoke to all local authorities to gather further information and assurance about their homelessness services. To assess the risks to people who are threatened with or experiencing homelessness we will engage with all local authorities during 2023/24 with a focus on the provision of appropriate temporary accommodation.
We will engage with Aberdeenshire in particular about the following areas:
- Aberdeenshire’s assessment of homelessness applications; and
- outcomes for people who are homeless.
What Aberdeenshire must do
Aberdeenshire must:
- provide us with the information we require in relation to its homelessness service; and
- make us aware of any emerging issues preventing it from fulfilling its statutory duty to provide temporary accommodation when it should and comply with the Unsuitable Accommodation Order.
What we will do
We will:
- review the information Aberdeenshire provides about its homelessness service;
- meet with Aberdeenshire to discuss its homelessness service and decide whether we require any additional assurance;
- meet with Aberdeenshire to seek assurance if it does not provide temporary accommodation when it should, or if it breaches the Unsuitable Accommodation Order; and
- update our published engagement plan in the light of any material change to our planned engagement with Aberdeenshire.
Regulatory returns
Aberdeenshire must provide us with the following annual regulatory returns:
- Annual Assurance Statement; and
- Annual Return on the Charter.
It should also notify us of any material changes to its Annual Assurance Statement, and any tenant and resident safety matter which has been reported to or is being investigated by the Health and Safety Executive or reports from regulatory or statutory authorities or insurance providers, relating to safety concerns.