A SAFEGUARDING review has recommended a shared approach to tackling rough sleeping after an investigation was launched following the death of five rough sleepers in Worcestershire.

Worcestershire’s Safeguarding Adults Board (WSAB) highlighted the experience of five homeless people, collectively meeting the criteria required for a Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR).

Four of the people identified were found dead. Of these, one died in hospital, one died whilst sleeping rough and two ended their own lives.

One of the five is still alive, his name is not in the public domain, and although he had been sleeping rough, he had a settled address by the time of this SAR.

WSAB also acknowledges the Worcester City Council report into the death of Cardon Banfield, 74, who died whilst rough sleeping in July 2016.

The names of two of the people concerned in the thematic review – both dead - are in the public domain.

Remigiusz (Remi) Boczarski, 40, died in Malvern by suicide and was found in October 2018.

The other was Jobey Sparrey, who was 47 or 48 years old, and was found dead in Malvern from alcohol/drug use on Christmas Day 2018.

The names of the other two people who died are anonymised.

The review, which sought to determine what could have been done differently to prevent harm or a death from taking place, recommended:

lUsing a nominated local or other independent person ‘champion’ model for the overall work of pulling partners together to create a shared approach to safeguarding.

lDelivering a county-wide process of engagement with local communities and businesses to co-produce a shared approach to people who sleep rough. Also engage with small-providers such as soup kitchens to be part of a wider-community-led approach.

lEncouraging volunteer-led community groups, such as street cafes, to connect as part of a whole system to create a network.

lEvaluate with Elected Members if there is more that their contribution might add e.g. through designating an Elected Member Lead on “Rough Sleeper” theme.

lPromote a shared data base for all organisations across the county to ensure that information is shared and enabling transition for rough sleepers using different services.

lWork with the Department for Work and Pensions and discuss local arrangements for Universal Credit.

Hugo Sugg, Justice For Cardon campaigner, said: “The Review is a comprehensive document and one which, although in some respects it doesn’t go far enough, is enough to change things if organisations and people wan