Introducing Malcolm Dabbs
Malcolm Dabbs currently works as a Street Homelessness Service Manager in the Housing, Regeneration and Development Department, delivering a busy service which aims to end rough sleeping in Enfield.
Malcolm’s responsibilities include leading on:
- The development and strategic overview of services for rough sleepers in Enfield
- Securing funding for, and project management of, rough sleeping interventions
- Development of housing and support pathways to tackle rough sleeping from street outreach interventions to the provision of settled accommodation with support
- Development of effective partnerships and multiagency groups to tackle rough sleeping
In this interview, he talks about what inspired him to get into this role, how he manages his workday, and what advice he would give to aspiring street homelessness managers.
What inspired you to get into your job?
I am able to use the valuable experience and knowledge acquired in several homeless related roles to help some of the most vulnerable people in Enfield. I am passionate about developing and delivering services that have a positive impact on people lives. This is what I find fulfilling - helping others and improving their lives and their wellbeing.
Through my experiences over the years assisting homeless households, I have developed a deeper understanding of the causes of homelessness, and how we can build services to effectively tackle homelessness, taking great pride in ensuring we work to the highest standard.
How does a typical workday morning start for you?
The Street Homeless team, being a frontline service, frequently deals with various stakeholders both internal and external such as the NHS, Social Services and the Police. I strongly believe it is crucial to work in partnership with other services. I have daily catch ups with my management team, to ensure priorities are broken down, transformed into actions and communicated to all staff.
Because rough sleepers often have complex and entrenched support needs, the role can be challenging. However, has been the perfect opportunity for me to showcase my passion for helping and supporting the homeless.
What advice would you have liked to have had about your profession if you were just starting out now?
One thing I believe is trusting your own instincts, strengths, and management style. It is important to use your initiative, but also ensure that you utilise effective management skills in line with the Council’s Polices and Values and Behaviours framework, in order to achieve our service’s goals.
What is the highlight of your role so far and what has been your biggest learn?
I am particularly proud of our response to the “Everyone In” emergency Covid initiative. During the Covid emergency, we housed over 500 rough sleepers into temporary accommodation, providing somewhere safe to stay, with support, to safeguard them from serious harm or death during the pandemic. This not only undoubtedly saved lives, but also gave us the opportunity to work with these rough sleepers to end their homelessness for good. By September 21, we had moved all rough sleepers out of expensive emergency accommodation, primarily into settled accommodation with appropriate support.
Furthermore, one of my highlights is winning the London Homeless Awards in August 2023 for our successful Somewhere Safe to Stay Hub to Edmonton. Unfortunately, due to the due to the cost-of-living crisis, and the housing crisis, the number of rough sleepers has increased both nationally and in London of the past 2 years or so. However, the Somewhere Safe to Stay Hub, along with other successful services rolled out by my service, and by our external partners, has meant we have been able to reduce the number of rough sleepers on any typical night in Enfield, and keep it low.
What are your future professional aspirations?
Currently, we are faced with a national housing crisis which has created a significant budget pressure due to the high costs of temporary accommodation. I am focused on our goal to end rough sleeping by March 2025, and to reduce our use of temporary accommodation for single people, by moving them on into a settled home, or preventing them from becoming homeless in the first place.