TAU Community Participation & Engagement Initiative Overview Since the recruitment of the Traveller Liaison Officer (TLO) position within the TAU in 2023, the Traveller Accommodation Unit (TAU) has launched a comprehensive community outreach program aimed at strengthening engagement with the Traveller community. The TLO has expanded clinic availability at City Hall to four days per week, operating by appointment. Additionally, outreach clinics are held directly within the community, and to date, 50 site visits have been conducted. The TLO has facilitated over 6,000 interactions through a variety of channels, including dedicated mobile and landline services, community meetings, estate management meetings, site visits, group sessions, and clinics. This multi-faceted approach has significantly enhanced communication and support for the Traveller community. In line with the TAU’s commitment to meaningful engagement, the TLO has developed two key initiatives over the past 12 months: the Traveller Participation and Engagement Initiative and the Child and Youth Participation Initiative. These initiatives aim to address issues affecting the Traveller community in relation to housing and broader community concerns. The TLO has also collaborated with the Traveller Mediation Service (TMS) to address specific challenges faced by the unit. TMS focuses on facilitating constructive relationships and peaceful outcomes where conflict or the threat of conflict has happened. This partnership aims to mediate and resolve disputes, facilitate constructive dialogue, and support conflict resolution within the Traveller community, particularly in relation to housing and community matters. The TMS has proven to be a valuable resource in fostering better communication and understanding between all parties involved, further enhancing the effectiveness of the TAU’s outreach and engagement efforts. The TLO has been actively engaging with Traveller Teams across various UK councils to explore best practices in halting site management. This research has involved gathering insights from local authorities with well-established halting site policies, focusing on areas such as site maintenance, resident engagement, conflict resolution, and service delivery. The TLO has participated in virtual meetings, and knowledge-sharing forums to understand the challenges and successes of different approaches. This comparative analysis aims to identify innovative and effective strategies that can be adapted and implemented locally to improve the management, sustainability, and community relations at halting sites within our own jurisdiction. The findings from this research will inform future policy development and enhance service delivery for Traveller communities. The TLO also plays a key role in conducting housing welfare assessments for the Traveller community. These assessments are crucial in identifying the specific housing needs, welfare concerns, and support services required by Traveller families. This proactive approach helps the TAU provide more effective support and resources, ensuring that the Traveller community's housing and welfare needs are addressed in a comprehensive manner Furthermore, the TAU successfully secured significant dormant account funding to support the delivery of the TLOs various programs across the city. These include tenant
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