'Homelessness Law is meant to be adversarial.' Maybe it's just me who didn't know this? But I found out about it today, by accident, via a RUclips video - and I've been in communication with my local Council's housing dept for over 3 years now. - During that time I've been repeatedly surprised by my local Council's seemingly callous decisions, due to being under the mistaken impression that they were meant to be helpful / supportive. - The confusion caused by the mismatch between perception/reality was almost as bad as the refusal of help, itself. Finding out that I've been in a battle which I didn't know was happening has restored my sanity today - thank you.
yes, the problem comes from the fact that there are too few professionals who make the best argument for the client, which is why there's so much injustice in the sector. That doesn't mean to say there aren't housing officers who are fair, but it's very difficult to be fair when there is pressure on them from above to be unfair - too many housing officers don't push back on their seniors when they are told to gatekeep etc.
I am at the end of the complaint stage against Sutton Council, London. I am waiting for Ombudsman to get in touch with me. I have so many strong evidence against them. Do you think a solicitor would be better?
Assuming the complaint is about whether the council followed the correct process (as opposed to whether the council reached the correct decision which the local government ombudsman can't investigate), then the LGO is the right place to have gone to. If I understand it correctly, solicitors don't ordinarily get paid for going down the complaints process but if you can find a service that can help you then absolutely accept it.
@@homelessnessbestpractice thank you for your reply. Yes it is about the process. I believe I have ground to prove their gatekeeping to be a criminal offence. The officer, knowing he was gatekeeping, called the police and an ambulance..(wanted to section me?) how evil is that? I am a skinny 58 years old lady left in the street for 3 weeks, after being served a section 21. The police almost arrested him! He also lied in front of everyone. All recorded on their CCTV. This is only one of the many things they have done to me. Honestly. These officers get away with everything.
you'd think that but the law's the same across all of England. It's weird how the homelessness sector does seem to treat London / not-London as two completely separate entities.
Hi Great stuff, Can a council move you from your temporary accommodation 100s of miles away if you are a full time carer to a very sick individual and receiving carers element? Also full duty has been awarded. Other local connections such as family/friends support team single mum of 4 children, The childrens father also has the children on weekends? Many Thanks
I'll take this question anonymously to the livestream on Thursday evening at 7.30pm and hopefully give a comprehensive answer there as it gets quite complicated. When you say the council are moving you are they moving you to settled accommodation or another temporary accommodation unit?
@@homelessnessbestpractice thanks you, received a call from the housing officer for an assessment i believe it would be for settled accommodation, she said i do not have strong ties to remain and that i would need to leave my carer or face eviction if i refuse to accept the offer, However no offer has been made yet. it was explained to the Housing officer that being a single mum i rely on friends and family aswel as the childrens father who takes them on weekends, she said she will get back to me.
@@johnspeaking098 Did you get a personalised housing plan and did it say anything about the caring responsibilities / needs if children in relation to father?
@@homelessnessbestpractice no housing plan has been completed as far as im aware, they are aware that i am a full time carer, the housing officer said that i will be required to find a new person to care for when offered relocating if distance is to far?
Hi I’m just a asking behalf of a friend if the homeless team do a medical assessment on you does that get sent to the housing register team also if the homeless team say to you they are concerned and they will refer you to the adult social care team does that mean you have a long process for your application because they will be involved?
No No NO in my experience it was Derby City. I am so lucky I left today having achieved great things by applying the legislation. Feeling that against the odds my skill made a meaningful full impact, but as for gatekeeping wow, that was the culture but it is still possible to make a difference. As an agency worker, it is easier to apply the legislation. Not so for existing local staff in a toxic culture. Proud of my role in getting good results for some!!!! Against the odds!
Great to hear you managed to have a positive impact Mandie, i'm always inspired by the stance you take. Would you ever be up for recording a conversation about what it's like to work in toxic environments?
'Homelessness Law is meant to be adversarial.'
Maybe it's just me who didn't know this?
But I found out about it today, by accident, via a RUclips video - and I've been in communication with my local Council's housing dept for over 3 years now.
- During that time I've been repeatedly surprised by my local Council's seemingly callous decisions, due to being under the mistaken impression that they were meant to be helpful / supportive.
- The confusion caused by the mismatch between perception/reality was almost as bad as the refusal of help, itself.
Finding out that I've been in a battle which I didn't know was happening has restored my sanity today - thank you.
yes, the problem comes from the fact that there are too few professionals who make the best argument for the client, which is why there's so much injustice in the sector. That doesn't mean to say there aren't housing officers who are fair, but it's very difficult to be fair when there is pressure on them from above to be unfair - too many housing officers don't push back on their seniors when they are told to gatekeep etc.
I am at the end of the complaint stage against Sutton Council, London. I am waiting for Ombudsman to get in touch with me. I have so many strong evidence against them. Do you think a solicitor would be better?
Assuming the complaint is about whether the council followed the correct process (as opposed to whether the council reached the correct decision which the local government ombudsman can't investigate), then the LGO is the right place to have gone to. If I understand it correctly, solicitors don't ordinarily get paid for going down the complaints process but if you can find a service that can help you then absolutely accept it.
@@homelessnessbestpractice thank you for your reply. Yes it is about the process. I believe I have ground to prove their gatekeeping to be a criminal offence. The officer, knowing he was gatekeeping, called the police and an ambulance..(wanted to section me?) how evil is that? I am a skinny 58 years old lady left in the street for 3 weeks, after being served a section 21. The police almost arrested him! He also lied in front of everyone. All recorded on their CCTV. This is only one of the many things they have done to me. Honestly. These officers get away with everything.
Isn't London a completely separate 'entity' to the rest of the UK?
you'd think that but the law's the same across all of England. It's weird how the homelessness sector does seem to treat London / not-London as two completely separate entities.
It may be worth looking at the top housing solicitors in the legal 500 league.
Hi Great stuff, Can a council move you from your temporary accommodation 100s of miles away if you are a full time carer to a very sick individual and receiving carers element? Also full duty has been awarded. Other local connections such as family/friends support team single mum of 4 children, The childrens father also has the children on weekends? Many Thanks
I'll take this question anonymously to the livestream on Thursday evening at 7.30pm and hopefully give a comprehensive answer there as it gets quite complicated.
When you say the council are moving you are they moving you to settled accommodation or another temporary accommodation unit?
@@homelessnessbestpractice thanks you, received a call from the housing officer for an assessment i believe it would be for settled accommodation, she said i do not have strong ties to remain and that i would need to leave my carer or face eviction if i refuse to accept the offer, However no offer has been made yet. it was explained to the Housing officer that being a single mum i rely on friends and family aswel as the childrens father who takes them on weekends, she said she will get back to me.
@@johnspeaking098 Did you get a personalised housing plan and did it say anything about the caring responsibilities / needs if children in relation to father?
@@homelessnessbestpractice no housing plan has been completed as far as im aware, they are aware that i am a full time carer, the housing officer said that i will be required to find a new person to care for when offered relocating if distance is to far?
@@johnspeaking098 okay when you say you're a carer do you mean it's your employment rather than caring for a family member?
Hi I’m just a asking behalf of a friend if the homeless team do a medical assessment on you does that get sent to the housing register team also if the homeless team say to you they are concerned and they will refer you to the adult social care team does that mean you have a long process for your application because they will be involved?
No No NO in my experience it was Derby City. I am so lucky I left today having achieved great things by applying the legislation. Feeling that against the odds my skill made a meaningful full impact, but as for gatekeeping wow, that was the culture but it is still possible to make a difference. As an agency worker, it is easier to apply the legislation. Not so for existing local staff in a toxic culture. Proud of my role in getting good results for some!!!! Against the odds!
Great to hear you managed to have a positive impact Mandie, i'm always inspired by the stance you take. Would you ever be up for recording a conversation about what it's like to work in toxic environments?