The purpose of the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) is to provide humanitarian assistance to rough sleepers on occasions when the weather is considered to be severe.
Most commonly SWEP will apply for prolonged periods of cold weather.
Cold weather SWEP is triggered in South Ribble when the night-time temperature is predicted to be zero degrees or below for a period of 3 consecutive nights or more, with the first night of SWEP being triggered on the first night of zero.
Rough sleepers will be placed in temporary accommodation in the area for the period of the severe weather or until they have found suitable alternative accommodation, whichever is sooner.
This, however, does not apply to all rough sleepers as there are exceptions, which includes people who are considered to be too high risk for local accommodation. This could be due to risk of violence towards other people accessing the provision or other circumstances based on the advice of the police, mental health services, children's social care or probation.
These cases will be recorded along with instances were emergency accommodation is refused.
Transport to other accommodation can be provided to a potentially safe place for instances where the potential rough sleeper is considered too high risk for accommodation locally.
In all cases, advice and assistance will be offered by us at the earliest opportunity, with the aim of facilitating a long-term outcome.
This protocol sits alongside work we do on an ongoing basis to provide support and reduce rough sleeping.
To find out more about SWEP or to access the provision, please contact us on 01772 625625 or by emailing housing@southribble.gov.uk.