Homeless Network Scotland invites you to Scotland’s annual homelessness conference 2026 – Raising the Level: From Hard Edges to Whole Lives.

We are returning to Perth Concert Hall across two days 6-7 October 2026.

Scotland’s most ambitious gathering on transforming support for people facing severe and multiple disadvantage.

People do not live their lives in neat, separate boxes. One day the priority is safe housing, the next it is mental health, substance use, justice involvement – or simply surviving. Yet Scotland’s public services remain organised in silos. Too often, people are passed from door to door – or fall through the gaps entirely. Every day, people at the hard edges are forced to relive their deepest trauma, retelling the same painful story to a service disconnected from others.

For those facing overlapping crises of poverty, trauma, addiction, mental health, homelessness and offending – this isn’t rare, it’s routine. Siloed systems don’t just fail them; they deepen the harm and drive devastating human and economic costs.

Grounded in the landmark Hard Edges Scotland research (2019), Raising the Level confronts this reality head-on. Despite years of policy commitments to prevention and joined-up working, fragmented systems continue to deliver repeated trauma and poor outcomes. This summit is about breaking that cycle for good.

By building integrated services that match the complexity of people’s lives, we can advance equality, prevent intergenerational trauma, strengthen community safety and deliver transformative efficiencies across health, justice, housing, social care and social security.

Summit objectives:

• Launch a delivery framework that elevates severe and multiple disadvantage within broader national reforms, enabling sectors to prevent escalation and harm.

• Expose the human and economic costs of system failure while demonstrating the multiplier benefits of real, cross-sector integration.

• Explore sector readiness and foster shared responsibility to level the playing field for people at the hard edges.

• Equip delegates with practical tools for integrated commissioning, aligned policy, workforce development and frontline practice.

There will also be top speakers, engaging breakout sessions, roundtables, a networking dinner, exhibitions, entertainment and opportunities to meet old and new friends.

There are a number of different ticket options to suite your availability and budget. You can choose to pay up front or receive an invoice. The VIP package option is for conference speakers and sponsors – please also select this option to get free access to the conference if you are unwaged, a student and/or currently using homelessness services.

Members of Homeless Network Scotland will receive a 20% discounted ticket and in some cases if you are booking multiple tickets it might be most cost effective for you to join the network.

The VIP package options are for speakers and for people who are unwaged and students.

Terms & Conditions

Cancellations

• All cancellations must be sent to hello@homelessnetwork.scot.
• There will be no charge if written cancellation is received within 24hrs of the event.
• Non-attendance on the day will result in 100% charge.
• In the unlikely event that Homeless Network Scotland needs to cancel an event,
• we will refund any payments made and received in advance.
• We can accept no liability for other associated costs, such as pre booked accommodation or travel.

All Conference content, speakers and timings are correct at time of publication. The Organisers cannot be held responsible for changes due to circumstances beyond their control, including the withdrawal of speakers from the programme for any reason.