Review of the Respect standard

Would the brand by another name be as effective?

Since its introduction in 2006, the Respect Standard has played an important role in driving up performance around both preventing and effectively tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB). Over 500 signatories are a clear testimony of its success over the last 5 years.

ASB remains a key issue for both individuals and communities and will remain high on the government’s list of priorities going forward.

The housing sector has a fundamental role in developing and delivering excellent ASB services and deciding how these should be shaped in the future. To help this, the Housing Minister announced on 11^th January that the Chartered Institute of Housing will take on the ownership of the Respect Standard. Along with key partners Social Landlords Crime and Nuisance Group and HouseMark, CIH will actively work with the wider housing sector to create an ASB standard that reflects ongoing work and priorities in this area.

By the time that you read this blog the consultation period will have ended on 3^rd May and CIH and its partners will collate and consider all the feedback received and produce a further draft of the new standard. This will be re-submitted to the project’s Steering Group and circulated no later than 6th June with the aim of signing it off as soon as possible after that. CIH are still aiming to launch the revised standard at the annual conference in Harrogate in June.

My understanding is that the Minister would like the revised standard to be rebranded. Judging from the “chatter” at many recent meetings, conferences etc. there appears to be little or no appetite for this. Politicians, ASB practitioners and particularly tenants know what the Respect Standard is and what it stands for and, it is suggested by many, to rename it will dilute its impact and lessen its meaning. Cynics say that the Coalition Government is hell-bent on changing anything that was introduced by Tony Blair or Gordon Brown. However I shall sit on the fence for the time being and eagerly await what the recommendation is when the results of the review are published – I personally doubt it but it is always possible that someone has come up with an even better name.

What does the future hold for tackling ASB?

Low level anti-social behaviour, such as graffiti, form the majority of complaints. How will they be dealt with in the future? (Image by ukslim via Flickr)

By Mike Blomer

Given the unprecedented number of Government announcements on future changes to the way social housing landlords are expected to deal with anti social behaviour, it is no wonder that practitioners are getting in a bit of a tizzy.

From what I have seen, the majority view the proposed abolition of ASBOs with favour, believing they have outlived their usefulness, and that there are more effective tools available to deal with serious cases.

 I am also encouraged by the greater emphasis on identifying the risk of harm – not only to victims of anti social behaviour – but also, potentially, to witnesses and even perpetrators. At a recent CIH conference (Landlords Tools and Powers to Tackle ASB – 5^th August 2010), Chief Inspector Jim Baker explained the new policy of West Mercia Police on how complaints are to be dealt with. In particular, they are identifying the risk, impact, harm and vulnerability of people who become involved in complaints, in whatever capacity. Can we take heart from the fact that Paul West, Chief Constable of West Mercia Police is the ACPO spokesman on ASB and that the initiatives introduced in his area will be replicated nationally?

Meanwhile the pilot projects on the sharing of information continue and the Police Reform and Responsibility Bill is now out for consultation. Note that the consultation period has been restricted to just 8 weeks and covers a substantial part of the main holiday period.

The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) and Tenant Services Authority (TSA) launch its findings on ASB baseline survey

Following on from Kate’s blog last week, The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) and Tenant Services Authority (TSA) launched its findings of their recent anti social behaviour (ASB) baseline survey, at the TSA stand of the annual CIH Conference in Harrogate.

The results of the survey show that tackling ASB remains a priority for social housing providers despite the economic downturn, but more can be done to make sure ASB services deliver value for money.

Training

Most organisations that completed the survey feel that they are delivering effective training to their staff. However, supporting victims and raising public confidence is an area that 42% of organisations feel needs improving. Also, 32% would like to develop their staff’s access to peer support networks.

The SLCNG offer a varying array of training courses for RSL’s in tackling ASB.

Benchmarking

Although most landlords undertake some level of benchmarking, 20% do not regularly compare their services with those of other organisations. The majority of landlords seem to be missing opportunities to network with and learn from each other, with only 30% of landlords reporting that they help networking with other local RPs.

ReACT in collaboration with HouseMark have a one button press submitter of Benchmarking KPI’s that allow users to compare themselves with similar organisations using the profiling filters provided by HouseMark.

Value for Money

Although the vast majority (80%) of landlords have not undertaken any cost-benefit analysis in relation to their work on tackling ASB, 62% believe that they would benefit from doing so.

ReACT allows users to log Case Costs and these can be split in line with the Respect Toolkit guidelines of measuring External legal costs, clean up costs and Internal costs in relation to the management of tackling anti social behaviour.

Tools and Powers

Sixty-three per cent of respondents felt that their organisation made full use of the tools and powers available. However 28% said that they could improve. Surprisingly, landlords indicated that they were most unfamiliar with areas such as Acceptable Behaviour Contracts, Closure Orders, Demotion Orders, Injunctions and Parenting Contracts/Orders.

The SLCNG provide training and guidance in relation to the tools available to landlords to tackle ASB. In addition ReACT allows users to record any orders served against perpetrators, and this vastly improves the landlords ability to review and monitor any breaches.

Victim-Centred Approach

The vast majority of landlords (80%) said that they take a victim-centred approach to ASB case reporting and have effective partnership arrangements in place with local support agencies. Sixty-three per cent of landlords also told us that they would benefit from advice and support to improve measures in identifying vulnerability and support to protect witnesses.

ReACT allows users to record and monitor where victim support has been given to complainants and witnesses, it also allows users to record where external agencies have been involved in this victim centred approach.

Speaking at the launch of the report, CIH Chief Executive Sarah Webb said “Anti Social Behaviour can have a dreadful impact on individuals and communities, and housing professionals are often at the forefront of trying to tackle it. This survey gives a good understanding of how social landlords are responding to the challenge of ASB and its causes; and it shows where vital support, including the ASB action team, and also our policy and practice and training teams, can best support providers to learn and improve.”

If you require any further information about how the ReACT, HouseMark and SLCNG teams can assist your organisation please do not hesitate contact us at;

Email:	info@react-asb.co.uk
Telephone:	+44 (0) 121 384 2513
Fax:	+44 (0) 121 377 6014

CIH Annual Conference 2010 Review

Kate, Mike and Paul on the ReACT stand at Harrogate

 

by  Mike Blomer  

The social housing world held its annual get together in Harrogate from the 21^st-24^th June with delegates and exhibitors alike speculating about what would be in store for us during the next few years. We had already heard that the TSA would probably fall victim to Government cut backs, that VAT would increase and benefits are to be cut. So with all of this in the background what would conference be like? And would the rumours of the conference leaving Harrogate in favour of Manchester turn out to be true?  

(We now understand that the conference will stay in Harrogate for the next 2 years, with the organisational responsibility moving to the CIH Events Team).  

Matching last year, ReACT shared a stand in Hall A with the Social Landlords Crime and Nuisance Group. This arrangement again proved to be very successful with Kate Hill, Paul Johns and myself ensuring that our part of the stand was staffed at all times. Tuesday morning proved to be the busiest period with the largest number of visitors to the stand over the three days of the event. It was certainly apparent that both delegate and visitor numbers were down on previous years – I will be interested to know the organisers take on this opinion.  

With  threat of cuts in allowances and development funding, we did not expect anti social behaviour to have a particularly high priority – but it did have an airing in the context of deprived communities and David Cameron’s “big society”.  

 The minister was not all that forthcoming. He confirmed that the TSA would be subject to early review (seemingly confirming its demise) and that the housing function of the Local Government Ombudsman could be merged with the Housing Ombudsman Service. In fact he gave a typical politicians address, saying much and giving nothing. We now await the autumn review.  

The social side of the Harrogate Conference was alive and well and, surprisingly for some, dominated by England v Slovenia in the World Cup! Even the conference agenda was temporarily suspended and the game shown live on a big screen in the main hall, with free alcoholic refreshments on offer to the 200 or so watching.  

I was invited by CIH to speak at the Ideas Exchange on “the use of systems for tackling ASB”. Open to exhibition visitors the session was held on all three days. First day there were 20 attending, 18 on day two and on the last day; 22, so it was not overwhelming. But any publicity etc., etc.  

ReACT Team Member Kate Hill, attending Harrogate for the first time said:-  

“Having heard so much about Harrogate my expectations were high and I was a little concerned I might have been let down. To my delight, it truly lived up to all the hype and talk I’d heard; a great buzz surrounded the halls, along with a true reflection of the positive attitudes in the housing industry despite the concerns ahead.   

I’m already looking forward to next year!”

CIH Event – Landlords Tools and Powers to Tackle ASB

 Held at the new CIH meeting, training and conference facility in Grays Inn Road London the event was sold out with some 50 delegates hearing from SLCNG, TSA, Audit Commission, HouseMark and presentations from West Mercia Police, Buckles Solicitors, Poplar HARCA and New Charter Housing.

We are all waiting to learn what our new Government has in store in respect of ASB but in the meantime it’s business as usual. TSA is actively promoting the ASB Action Squad and Local Partnerships, whilst the Audit Commission covered the new inspection framework and hot topics such as the impact of recession, tenancy fraud, the respect standard, dangerous dogs and policing.

For me the highlight was the presentation from a senior officer of West Mercia Police, beginning with an admission that the police service nationally has failed to give the attention to ASB that it deserves and requires. It was heartening to hear that ACPO and HM Inspectorate of Constabulary are now majoring on the problem of definition, the context of ASB and vulnerability within modern policing and recognising the challenges.

West Mercia is taking a lead in protecting vulnerable people with a pilot scheme running in their North Worcestershire Division and working with local landlord Community Housing Group. This includes trialing the Risk Assessment Matrix currently being promoted by the Home Office.  In due course, this could become a recommended national standard with a requirement that information is shared between all partners.

Lets us hope that it happens and the initiative is not lost in Government cost saving measures.