Upstream Scotland Pilot Evaluation: Interim Report

There is increasing interest in the UK and across the Global North in preventing homelessness amongst young people in particular, given that the earlier someone first becomes homeless the more protracted and damaging their experience is likely to be. The Australian Geelong Project, which has successfully used a school-based survey to identify young people at heightened risk of homelessness and offer them tailored support, has therefore attracted a great deal of international attention. Rock Trust is leading the implementation of Upstream in the Scottish context, with Upstream Scotland being piloted in six secondary schools located across three local authority areas (Edinburgh, West Lothian and Perth and Kinross). This report captures the first year of learning in a three-year evaluation of the initiative, drawing on interviews with 11 stakeholders and analysis of the first year of Upstream surveys.