1. 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

2. 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’

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

4. ‘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

5. ‘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

6. Implementation of ‘Reasonable Steps’

7. 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

8. 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

9. Introducing the ‘Step by Step’ project

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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

13. Early impacts of the ‘Step by Step’ project

14. 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%

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. Discussion: A more supportive approach to ‘Reasonable Steps’

19. 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

20. 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