In the UK, rising living costs, a shortage of affordable housing, and underfunded social services have made stable housing increasingly difficult to access, particularly for vulnerable individuals who rely on social care. When housing is unstable, care provision becomes fragmented, safeguarding risks increase, and the ability to deliver support is significantly impacted.
To social care professionals, housing instability is not just a housing issue—it is a care issue, shaping the way services are delivered, resourced, and experienced. This article explores the challenges professionals face as a result of housing instability, and the importance of a person-centred approach in navigating these issues.
How Housing Instability Affects Those in Social Care
Housing instability refers to a lack of secure, consistent, and suitable accommodation, which can include frequent moves, reliance on temporary housing, or the risk of homelessness. It can pose significant issues for individuals reliant on social care, as those with disabilities, mental health conditions, or complex needs are often disproportionately affected by insecure housing. Without a stable place to live, accessing care becomes more challenging, routines are disrupted, and individuals may struggle to maintain their independence.
This instability creates additional pressures social care professionals – care plans frequently break down, safeguarding concerns increase, and crisis interventions become more common. The strain on staff is compounded by higher caseloads, stretched resources, and the emotional toll of supporting individuals in often distressing circumstances.
When housing instability is added to the equation, the ability to provide consistent, high-quality care becomes significantly more difficult. Some of the key challenges include:
1. Lack of Stability Disrupts Care Plans
Care planning is built on continuity, routine, and structure – all of which are undermined when a person experiences housing instability. Without a fixed address, individuals often struggle to maintain regular contact with care providers, leading to missed appointments, disrupted care, and delays in essential interventions. Social workers and support staff may lose track of individuals entirely as they move between temporary accommodations, hostels, or emergency housing, making it difficult to assess their evolving needs or ensure they are receiving appropriate care.
Without stable housing as a foundation, the ability of professionals to form meaningful, long-term relationships with the individuals they support, leading to further disengagement from care services altogether. Ultimately, the entire care structure becomes reactive rather than proactive – forcing professionals to respond to crises rather than working toward long-term, person-centred support that promotes independence and well-being.
2. Increased Demand on Emergency Services
Housing instability increases the likelihood of people reaching crisis point, meaning social workers and care providers spend more time dealing with emergency situations rather than delivering long-term, preventative care. This has several knock-on effects:
- Higher caseloads for social workers, leading to burnout and reduced capacity for proactive case management.
- Greater reliance on emergency accommodation and hospital admissions, which are costly and disruptive.
- Increased police involvement, particularly where individuals experiencing homelessness face safeguarding concerns.
Without a stable housing foundation, social care professionals often find themselves in reactive mode, attempting to mitigate risks rather than building long-term solutions.
3. Greater Risk of Exploitation and Safeguarding Concerns
Individuals experiencing housing instability are more vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, and harm. For social care teams, housing instability makes it harder to track, engage, and protect vulnerable individuals, adding significant pressure to safeguarding teams and multi-agency working. For example:
- Young adults leaving care without stable housing are at heightened risk of criminal exploitation or unsafe relationships.
- Individuals experiencing homelessness have significantly higher rates of mental health conditions and substance misuse, often leading to complex safeguarding interventions.
Addressing the Root Cause, Not Just the Symptoms
Without stable accommodation, everything else suffers: care plans break down, safeguarding concerns increase, and crisis interventions become the norm. While housing policy decisions may sit at a national level, social care professionals play a crucial role in advocating for those at risk, working collaboratively to find solutions, and ensuring that care continues even in the most challenging circumstances. Recognising that housing instability itself is traumatic allows professionals to tailor individual support plans accordingly.
Our training in positive behaviour management, de-escalation, and trauma-informed approaches helps staff manage crisis situations, support individuals, and maintain compassionate, person-centred care in difficult circumstances. By empowering social care professionals with practical, adaptable training, we help reduce workplace stress, improve care continuity, and foster safer, more resilient environments for both staff and those in care.
To find out more about how our training can support your social care organisation, visit Timian Learning and Development.
