Taking reasonable steps: Exploring the impacts of a more supportive approach Julian John and Lwys Morgan, Merthyr and the Valleys Mind Dr. Peter Mackie, Cardiff University

Overview ‘Reasonable steps’ and the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 Implementation of ‘reasonable steps’ so far Introducing the Step by Step project Early impacts of Step by Step Discussion: embedding a more supportive approach to ‘reasonable steps’

‘Reasonable Steps’ and the Housing (Wales) Act 2014

‘Reasonable Steps’ and the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 Legislation states: The authority… ‘is required to take reasonable steps to help’ Guidance states: Local Authorities are expected to consider the most appropriate intervention or range of interventions on a case-by-case basis Local Authorities ought to have in place a significant range of interventions as a minimum

‘Reasonable Steps’ and the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 Services to resolve disputes between different parties, Homelessness prevention fund Specialist advice on welfare/benefit rights and debt/money advice, Joint approaches with other services such as Social Care and Health Domestic abuse services Crisis intervention – securing accommodation immediately Statutory Intensive Family Support Team, Employment and training options advice Housing/Tenancy support Action to resolve anti-social behaviour Options to facilitate access to the Private Rented Sector (PRS) Access to supported housing Arranging accommodation with relatives and friends

Implementation of ‘Reasonable Steps’

Standard and limited ‘reasonable steps’ Table 1. Actions taken to prevent or relieve homelessness, 2015/16 Homelessness Prevented Homelessness Relieved Total Percent Private Rented Sector (PRS) Accommodation 1,959 1,077 3,036 39 PRS without landlord incentive scheme 903 498 1,401 18 PRS with landlord incentive scheme 819 579 1,398 Negotiation or legal advocacy 237 na 3 Social Rented Accommodation 1,353 939 2,292 30 Supported accommodation 273 624 897 12 Accommodated with friends/relatives or return home 156 240 396 5 Mediation and conciliation 171 2 Resolving Housing and Welfare Benefit problems 153 Resolving rent or service charge arrears 129 Financial payments 96 1 Debt and Financial Advice 72 Homeownership* 21 24 Measure to prevent domestic abuse 9 Other assistance or support 207 225 432 6 4,599 3,108 7,707 100

Many refusals, failure to cooperate, and loss of contact Table 2. Outcomes of Homelessness by Household Type, 2015/16 Stage One Stage Two Stage Three Help to prevent Help to secure Duty to secure   Single Other Successful 58 70 43 49 26 66 Unsuccessful / non priority 19 13 30 28 64 23 17 27 10

Introducing the ‘Step by Step’ project

Introducing the Step by Step project Where did it come from? A passion for making a difference. A review of gaps in services – what are they? ‘Reasonable steps’ for people falling short of statutory assistance. What did we do about it? Established a collaborative team, shared some thinking. Developed and wrote a grant application to the Oak Foundation. Housing, Health and Vocational Support. Secured £130k and established a 2 year research pilot. Went live in May 2016.

Introducing the Step by Step project In practice… Access and referral Based within the Housing Solutions Team – RCTCBC. People are filtered through a point of access. Mild-to-moderate mental health needs. A hand holding approach Housing Liaise with landlords to access suitable housing Liaise with the local authority to access funding for rent in advance & deposits Ensuring housing benefit has been applied for if needed Getting housing benefit paid directly to the landlord Ensuring housing is affordable with little or no top up rent to pay Maximising benefits

Introducing the Step by Step project Health Assist individuals to access medical services (register with GP, referrals to specialist services) Refer individuals to courses to improve their wellbeing such as stress management courses, Life skills etc.   Vocation Assist individuals to create a vocational plan Refer individuals to training courses that fit their plans Refer individuals to educational agencies Refer individuals to job related services for support into employment

Early impacts of the ‘Step by Step’ project

Emerging findings: housing demographics Table. Initial housing status of single person applicants to the Step by Step and Housing Solutions teams, May 2016 – Jan2017 Housing Status Step By Step (n=88) Housing Solutions (n=206) At risk of homelessness 25% 44.2%  Homeless 71.6%  55.8%  In suitable accommodation 3.4%  

Emerging findings: housing impacts Table. Housing status at discharge of duty of single person applicants to the Step by Step and Housing Solutions teams, May 2016 – Jan2017 Housing Status Step By Step (n=53) Housing Team (n=204) At risk of homelessness 0% 0%  Homeless 5.7% 16.2% In suitable accommodation 84.9% 51.5% Other* 9.4% 32.4% * Assistance refused; non-cooperation; other reason; application withdrawn; and application withdrawn due to loss of contact

Emerging findings: mental health impacts Table. Mental health status at discharge of duty of single person applicants to the Step by Step team, May 2016 – Jan2017 Mental health status Initial status (n=88) At end of assistance (n=53) WEMWBS Score* 31.48 46.78 2011 Health Survey for England (n=7,020) showed a mean average WEMWBS score of 51.61

Emerging findings: processes and implementation Establishing the service and making effective links with key partners Very effective and ‘trusting’ relationships with private landlords Some work done to establish links relating to vocational support Referral numbers were initially low due to a] confusion over eligibility, and b] a lack of understanding of the service. However, project is now running at capacity. Service implementation The Step by Step team hand-hold and this is key (eg. filling in benefit claim forms) Having a specific officer for the entire journey is perceived to be beneficial. Early contact on referral (eg. meeting on the same day) has proven to be key. PRS is the main housing offer. The team go to viewings, meet with landlords and provide support during the start of the tenancy. C. 20% referred to volunteering, vocational and employment support C. 15% referred to primary care mental health services or self-management courses

Discussion: A more supportive approach to ‘Reasonable Steps’

Discussion What would need to be done to ensure the step-by-step approach is integrated into Housing Options services? eg. Funding; Alignment of Supporting People services; Legislative change

Taking reasonable steps: Exploring the impacts of a more supportive approach Julian John and Lwys Morgan, Merthyr and the Valleys Mind Dr. Peter Mackie, Cardiff University