Calming measures ahead

It’s not often that an idea brought up in the pub actually results in anything of practical use - but Sentinel Housing Association’s lifestyle education and assistance programme followed a discussion about speeding fines over a pint.

Some readers may know what it’s like to be given the choice between speed awareness training, courtesy of their local constabulary, or three more points on their driving licence. Those given such a choice will have breathed a sigh of relief at not feeling the full strength of the law.

Instead, an ‘easy’ way out beckons - the offender can do a half-day course and carry on as normal. If the training works, the one thing the offender won’t do is carry on speeding. Reformed behaviour is the goal rather than yet another application of the stick. Points on a licence certainly don’t mean prizes.

Steve Thorn, neighbourhood manager at Hampshire-based Sentinel, says it was a discussion about the merits of the speed awareness course two years ago that inspired the landlord’s lifestyle and education programme which supports anti-social tenants.

Broad application

The approach sees Sentinel shunning the usual, costly mainstays of enforcement and court action to tackle antisocial behaviour in the first instance instead, Sentinel first offers the misbehaving tenant a chance to turn over a new leaf by attending a one-day training course which aims to give them a different perspective on their behaviour.

Although LEAP was initially aimed at nipping developing ASB in the bud, the programme helps tenants who are deemed to need lifestyle support, including money management guidance.

Frontline housing workers identify potential participants who are referred to LEAP for a wide range of reasons. Sentinel is not prescriptive about who can take part. An internal policy document states that ‘there are no hard and fast rules about when a referral should be made’.

Sentinel writes to potential participants to inform them about LEAP. Although the letter is couched in terms of an invitation, the resident is left in no doubt that they should attend if more unpleasant consequences are to be avoided.

The course (see box: Learning to fit in) is run by Stonham, the specialist care and support division of housing association Home Group. ‘Stonham has experience at providing support for tenancy sustainment within its own stock as well as for other landlords. Schemes such as its home achievement programme mean it is able to overcome internal difficulties,’ explains Mr Thorn.

The value of using a third party with experienced trainers is not only in the delivery of the training itself but in providing the tenant a more neutral environment in which to engage in the process, he adds.

Stonham’s trainers are also able to provide ‘signposting’, directing individuals to services or other possibilities beyond the scope of the training initially on offer.

Training days take place at Sentinel’s head office once every six weeks. The course covers the roles and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants, the ways in which property management and repairs are dealt with, as well as the thorny issue of ASB - what can be classified as ASB and how it should be dealt with. Training in money management, the benefit claims processes and budgeting skills is also provided along with more general advice about domestic skills and planning.

Participants end up with a better understanding of the issues that may have brought them to LEAP, and leave better equipped with the knowledge, practical information and techniques to overcome difficulties that might have previously overwhelmed them.

The training is delivered as a standard package to everyone, regardless of the reasons for referral. At the end of the day’s session, the residents are met by their referring housing officer - one of Sentinel’s neighbourhood co-ordinators - and a document detailing how the tenant is going to move forward is drawn up. This acts as a form of contract, including terms of agreement and specified review dates.

To date, three quarters of attendees have managed tenancies without further breaches. Of the 24 referrals in the first year for ASB, 20 were either resolved or the problem was reduced. Results were more mixed for tenants who were referred to the programme because of rent arrears. Some 42 per cent of those cleared their arrears within the year, but some continued building up debts.

Hiring Stonham’s training providers costs between £300 to £400 per day. Overall, though, the landlord feels the investment in the programme is proving highly beneficial - and rarely has a discussion down the pub led to such positive results.

Steve Gough is a senior housing lecturer at Southampton Solent University

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