A workshop was held in October 2019 comprising 40 invited academics, teachers, researchers, practitioners, policy makers and charities all involved in the provision of care and services for children and families who are currently homeless. The event started with a number of scene-setting presentations from various perspectives, including public health nursing, academia, advocacy and policy. Participants then reflected on key challenges faced by homeless children and families living in temporary and emergency accommodation. The challenges identified were reviewed, clustered and reduced to five areas: (1) Physical and Mental Health; (2) Emotional Wellbeing; (3) Relationships and Social Connections; (4) Environment and Routines, and (5) Service Coordination and Integration.

The group was then invited to generate ideas of how these challenges could be met and overcome. Specifically, they were asked about the process, mechanism or activities that would bring about change, what resources would be required and how they individually could contribute to the process. After the event, ideas from the generating session were condensed into three principal areas:
• Safeguarding physical and mental health
• Creating supportive environments, routines and social connections
• Maximising service coordination and integration