A REVIEW of Purbeck District Council's homelessness service has seen it placed in the top 28 in the country.

The service scored 71 per cent in the review following an assessment in September.

It follows a previous review in 2015 when the council received a score of 59 per cent for its homelessness service.

The assessors recognised the improvements made since that time. These included reception and interview facilities, staff and management, customer interviews, file reviews, visits and quality of housing options.

The review, carried out by the National Practitioner Support Service (NPSS) and housing managers from neighbouring councils with extensive homelessness experience, checked the quality of advice and support provided.

Councillor Laura Miller, housing portfolio holder for Purbeck District Council, said: “The high score of 71 per cent reflects the improvements we have made to our housing and homelessness support service in the last two years. Lack of affordable housing is one of the district’s biggest problems, so I am really pleased that the team’s efforts to improve the service they offer to people in need has been recognised.”

As well as reviewing internal processes, the team gathered feedback from organisations which have contact with the council’s housing service, including Citizens Advice and mental health and learning disability organisations. The assessors also visited some of the temporary accommodation provided by the council.