The majority of Dorset's rough sleepers, who were offered accommodation during the covid pandemic, have returned to the streets.

Around 85per cent are now again without regular accommodation, often through their own choice.

But an improvement in working practices between agencies and charity groups means that their health needs, and longer-term their housing needs, are more likely to be met.

Lead member for homelessness Cllr Hazel Allen said that possibly for the first time there was now closer working among groups dealing with rough sleepers in the Dorset Council area – with a more formal working agreement expected to be concluded in the coming months.

She said that a key meeting, involving almost everyone working in the sector across both the BCP area and Dorset Council area, had taken place earlier this month to agree the best way forward.

"There has been a lack of joined-up working, but that had now improved, avoiding duplication of effort and shaping services along integrated pathways," she said.

Cllr Allen said that there had been some problems along the way, including delays in the setting up of a homeless 'hub' at St Stephen's in Bournemouth and the suspension of the area's 'health bus' while administrative problems were being sorted out, but she said she was hopeful that both issues would soon be resolved.

Cllr Allen said she believed that the new multi-partnership way of working would engage with those needing help at an earlier stage, avoiding or reducing the need for hospital admissions by spotting and treating health problems before they became entrenched and more difficult to deal with.

She said that the work would also focus on persuading rough sleepers undergoing treated not to discharge themselves from medical care too soon and encourage them to complete treatments and then be followed up as they returned to the community.

"It creates a complete loop which is so much more cost effective and better for everyone," she said.