National Summit on Severe and Multiple Disadvantage

Including Scotland’s Annual Homelessness Conference and AGM

6-7 October 2026 | Perth Concert Hall

Scotland’s national gathering on transforming outcomes 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 mental health, substance use, money pressures or contact with the justice system. Yet services remain organised in silos. Too often people are passed from door to door, forced to relive trauma by retelling their story to disconnected systems – or fall through the gaps entirely.

Harm at the hard edges is deepening. The most severe and costly crises occur when multiple issues overlap. Siloed strategies treat these as separate problems, locking people into repeated crises and driving high human and economic costs.

By breaking down these silos we can prevent crises across the board: fewer homelessness cases, fewer drug deaths, reduced reoffending, better mental health and stronger recovery and stability for individuals, families and communities.

Grounded in the landmark Hard Edges Scotland research (2019), Raising the Level is both a summit and a call to action. At a pivotal moment for public service reform and health and social care renewal, it embraces Scottish Government’s No Wrong Door commitment and defines what this mean for people at the hard edges of reform.

When we gather in Perth we will draw a line: deepening harm at the hard edges stops here.

Every part of the system already shares the same ambition. The gap is not policy or intent – it is in consistent, cross-sector implementation. Closing it means clearer expectations, real commitments, practical action and shared accountability. Only then do we begin to build a system that finally works for the people it has too often failed.

Summit objectives

• Launch The Level – Scotland’s national delivery protocol that elevates severe and multiple disadvantage within broader reforms.
• Expose the human and economic costs of system failure and the multiplier benefits of real integration.
• Build shared responsibility for raising the floor through a common protocol that turns clear commitments into consistent action.

Day 1 centres the homelessness and housing sector and their closest partners – honest reflection and practical preparation to move from “carrying the can” to becoming a confident, prevention-focused strategic partner.

Day 2 is the national multi-sector summit and official launch of The Level – examining the cost of siloed working, hearing powerful lived experiences and securing concrete commitments to joined-up action.

Who should attend

Decision-makers, practitioners, commissioners and policymakers from health, justice, housing, social care and social security. People with first-hand experience of the issues are warmly welcome and essential to the conversation.

Join us in Perth

You are warmly welcome to join us on 6-7 October. There are a range of ticket options to suit different needs and budgets. You can book directly online or request an invoice:

• 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.

• VIP/complimentary places are available for speakers, sponsors, people who are unwaged, students and people currently using services relating to the issues being discussed.

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.

Accessibility

Homeless Network Scotland and Perth Concert Hall are committed to providing as accessible an event as possible. Visit the Perth Concert Hall website to find out more venue walk throughs and other help available. There is space to share accessibility adjustments you require in the booking form. If you have any questions about the venue or accommodation you are welcome to contact us by email, phone 0141 420 7272 or Contact BSL Scotland.

Raising the Level is proudly sponsored by