Why we are engaging with Shetland Islands Council (Shetland Islands)
We are engaging with Shetland Islands about its services for people who are homeless.
During 2025/26, we reviewed and compared the data for all local authorities from the Scottish Government’s national homelessness statistics. We also spoke to all local authorities to gather further information and assurance about their homelessness services.
In 2026/27, we will engage with Shetland Islands about how people access its homelessness services.
What Shetland Islands must do
Shetlands Islands must:
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send us the information we require in relation to its homelessness service; and
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tell us about 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:
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review the information Shetland Islands provides about its homelessness service;
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meet with Shetland Islands by 31 July 2026 to discuss its homelessness service and engage as necessary;
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meet with Shetland Islands to seek assurance if it does not provide temporary accommodation when it should, or if it breaches the Unsuitable Accommodation Order; and
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update our published engagement plan in the light of any material change to our planned engagement with Shetland Islands.
Regulatory Returns
Shetland Islands must provide us with the following annual regulatory returns:
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Annual Assurance Statement; and
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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.