Severe and multiple disadvantage (SMD)
Who is most affected and why?
Those who are more affected by SMD are:
- care leavers, who may lack stable support networks
- people with experience of childhood abuse or neglect, who often face long-term psychological impact
- rough sleepers, who struggle to access consistent healthcare and housing
- those from ethnic communities, who may encounter additional barriers due to discrimination and cultural stigma
These groups are frequently underserved by mainstream services, making it harder to escape cycles of disadvantage and achieve stability.
