Hard Edges Scotland and The Level Research Published

That the Parliament recognises the importance of improving support for people facing severe and multiple disadvantage (SMD); notes the Hard Edges Scotland research, which suggests that one in 28 people across the country experience at least one of the core forms of SMD; believes that the fragmented nature of public services can prevent people with complex and interconnected needs from receiving the full support that they need; considers that the human cost of this can be profound; notes recent independent economic analysis recording that the additional public service, economic and fiscal costs of SMD in Scotland are at least £5.8 billion each year; welcomes the recent publication by Homeless Network Scotland of The Level, which is a national protocol that it has developed along with over 50 organisations to improve the way public services support people facing SMD, and recognises what it sees as the opportunity that The Level presents to help translate longstanding commitments on joined-up working and a No Wrong Door approach into consistent, practical action.