THE first step on the way to becoming a Gold standard authority has been achieved by Borough of Poole's housing services team.

The council is going for gold after a successful peer review of the homelessness service by colleagues from Bristol City and Swindon Borough councils.

The government's ‘Gold Standard’ national improvement programme is designed to help local authorities improve their housing options and advice services to prevent homelessness.

There are 10 steps a council must achieve to become a Gold Standard authority and Poole has successfully completed the necessary steps to achieve the Bronze Standard.

Cllr Karen Rampton, cabinet portfolio holder for housing and community services, Borough of Poole, said: “I would like to congratulate the team for this achievement. Having achieved the Bronze Standard we can now build on this as we continue towards becoming a Gold Standard authority.

"We have demonstrated that tackling homelessness effectively is a key priority for Borough of Poole and the quality of the services on offer to prevent homelessness occurring in the first place by our staff and partners has also been recognised."

To reach Gold Standard status, Poole will now need to meet the remaining key commitments including offering a comprehensive housing options service for all, with advice and support for single people as well as families in need and verifying the delivery of a local No Second Night Out scheme to help prevent new rough sleepers from becoming entrenched into a street lifestyle.

A spokesman on behalf of the National Practitioner Support Service said: "Borough of Poole's services scored highly when assessed by officers from two other councils, confirming that they have a good baseline threshold of services with an emphasis on preventing homelessness whenever possible.

"The council is now working toward achieving the 10 Local Challenges which, like the peer review process, is part of the wider Gold Standard Programme."