Engaging with Gypsy / Travellers & roadside encampments

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The context

Gypsy/Travellers have some of the poorest life outcomes in society, and can experience discrimination as part of everyday life. Housing is a key terrain on which the circumstances of this ethnic minority can be substantially improved or worsened. In Scotland, we know there’s a shortage of stopping places and fixed sites, barriers to accessing planning processes, and poor standards on some sites. Such factors may lead to unauthorised roadside encampments or Gypsy/Travellers feeling conventional housing is their only choice. Racial harassment is an additional issue that can affect housing sustainment, be that settled or mobile.

HARSAG’s 2020 report recommends RRTPs include bespoke prevention, support and housing pathways for the Gypsy/Traveller community. Preventing homelessness has different meanings and risk factors for travelling and settled communities. One Scottish local authority has been taking steps to elaborate a more bespoke approach across the board.

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The intervention

In 2018, East Ayrshire Council recognised its understanding of Gypsy/Travellers residing in and passing through the area could be improved. High level census data, local counts and annual records of unauthorised encampments could not on their own offer an accurate picture of the housing needs and preferences of Gypsy/Travellers. A more person-centred, consultative approach was needed. In 2019, the Council created the role of Gypsy/Traveller Integration & Engagement Officer to provide a consistent point of contact between Gypsy/Travellers and various Council teams. The Officer set up a Steering Group to ensure a systematic approach to enhancing Council services for Gypsy/Travellers in East Ayrshire.

The Council is currently developing an ‘engagement-based approach’ to encampments - moving away from the previous focus on enforcement. The Officer engages in meaningful dialogue with families at roadside encampments, providing multi-agency services where needed. Basic provision such as access to water, waste disposal and other services are offered throughout the encampment’s stay. The Officer engages with families and where appropriate facilitates access to health, education and welfare services. This also provides an opportunity to consult Gypsy/Travellers on their needs and preferences for future temporary and permanent, culturally appropriate, accommodation locally, to inform the Council’s strategic plans.

Negative beliefs, stereotypes and discrimination can undermine housing for Gypsy/Travellers, frustrate planning applications and fuel community hostilities against sites. The Officer thus has a remit to improve cultural awareness and understanding of Gypsy/Travellers across the Council, community planning partners, elected members and communities. In line with the training and development framework, over 500 staff completed awareness-raising training on issues faced by Gypsy/Travellers. The Officer also worked closely with the Council’s media team to devise content which challenges stereotypes and promotes inclusivity.

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The outcome

The engagement-based approach resulted in a ‘no evictions’ policy being extended to roadside encampments, as well as rented tenures, during the pandemic. Since the onset of the pandemic, there has been fewer roadside encampments visiting East Ayrshire than in previous years. However, where there have been encampments, the approach has enabled the Council to build trust, leading to improved engagement. This helps in identifying the actual housing needs of Gypsy/Travellers on encampments. This approach will be further developed and applied to future encampments.

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Key insights

• challenging discrimination, tackling stigma and promoting inclusion is a key part of any work to improve the lives of Gypsy/Travellers (including work on improving housing and support)
• promote engagement and inclusion in managing roadside encampments - rather than enforcement
• preventing homelessness is not just a task for homelessness services: many Gypsy/Travellers don’t wish to use these services nor see themselves as homeless, even if they are in law

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Find out more…

Margo MacMillan, Gypsy/Traveller Integration & Engagement Officer, East Ayrshire Council
margo.macmillan@east-ayrshire.gov.uk