Training for groups

This webinar explores the causes of homelessness and looks at housing options available. Designed for people working for a housing organisation who have limited contact with housing work such as administrators or fundraisers, it is ideal as part of an induction process. Delegates will receive an overview of the housing system, look at the main duties owed to homeless people by local authorities, including those brought in by the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. N.B. This webinar is not suitable for those required to give housing advice as part of their role.

Delivered over one day with several breaks, this webinar introduces delegates to housing status and security of tenure.

Suitable for trainee advisers and others who would like to develop their housing knowledge, this webinar covers identifying a client's housing status and explain why this is so important, what stage in possession proceedings a client has reached and common documents associated with them, situations where a possession order or eviction may be avoidable, and when urgent action may be needed. It also considers when staff may need to consult a specialist or refer a client to another agency, and identifies resources available, including National Homelessness Advice Service (NHAS) consultancy (for NHAS-eligible organisations).

Delivered over one day with several breaks, this webinar provides an introduction to homelessness, including local authority duties to homeless people. It is suitable for trainee advisers and others who would like to develop their knowledge. It is not aimed at experienced/specialist housing advisers who have existing knowledge of homelessness legislation.

Delegates learn to identify possible housing options for clients, describe some of the key causes and effects of homelessness, and identify the statutory duties owed to homeless people. The training also considers when staff may need to consult a specialist or refer a client to another agency, and identifies resources available, including National Homelessness Advice Service (NHAS) consultancy (for NHAS-eligible organisations).

Sleeping rough is risky for anyone but for women in particular the risk is often increased by several factors related to their age, gender-based violence, sexual assault, mental health, and abuse before, during, and after homelessness. This webinar explores: the causes of homelessness for women; the risks for women who are rough sleeping; the mental health impact of homelessness on women; how homeless women can be supported to access homelessness services and find suitable accommodation.

Delivered over two half-day webinar sessions this training provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles, processes and duties in the homelessness legislation. Delegates develop a systematic approach to homelessness law, an understanding of who is homeless and who is in priority need, and an understanding of the key duties, as well as the way those duties can come to an end.

The training covers the assessment, prevention and relief duties brought in by the Homelessness Reduction Act.

Delivered as four three-hour webinar sessions, this adapted version of our long-running popular training course provides an introduction to the most important aspects of housing aid and advice work.

Delegates gain the legal knowledge and practical skills required to determine housing status and become familiar with the principles, processes and duties inherent in the homelessness legislation. They also examine the changes introduced under the Homelessness Reduction Act.

The first two sessions cover: housing status, Housing Act legislation, tenancies and licences, notice rules and possession. The second two sessions examine homelessness, including the legislation and Code of Guidance, the duty to make enquiries, housing options and the prevention of homelessness, the Homelessness Reduction Act, eligibility (a brief overview only), intentionality, and priority need and local connection.

Delivered over four days, as four 2.5 hour webinar sessions in the mornings and four 2 hour self-guided learning sessions in the afternoons, this is an adapted version of Part B of our Foundation course. 

The training equips delegates with advanced skills for dealing with a wide range of housing problems by using a practical approach to more complex housing issues. The topics covered can be tailored or changed to meet your needs (for a small fee). 

Day one of the standard training programme looks at Landlord and tenant law, day two Challenging Homelessness Decisions, day three covers Disrepair and Harassment and Illegal Eviction and day four Domestic Abuse. 

This webinar provides basic information about the Care Act 2014. It is aimed primarily at local authority staff working in housing services. After attending participants will have gained awareness of the following: well-being and the importance of suitable living accommodation; housing as part of an integrated care, support and health service; the housing provider's duty of co-operation; clearer obligations towards carers, including safeguarding; and Human Rights Act 1998 and Equality Act 2010 rights.

This training explores housing problems associated with domestic abuse. Delegates develop an understanding of the legal and housing options that are available in order to support clients and also the impact of the Homelessness Reduction Act on this area of work.

After attending participants will understand: the occupation and property rights of individuals affected by domestic abuse; the different civil and criminal legal options available to those who have been affected; how to make an application for a Non-molestation order and/or occupation orders on behalf of a victim of abuse; how a victim of domestic abuse may be able to make a homeless application and the law that applies; who might be ‘no recourse to public funds’ and where this group might go to access housing; and how the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 affects victims of abuse.

Explores the occupation rights and legal options that may be available to clients experiencing domestic abuse. Aimed at those who give advice and support to people who are, or who have, experienced domestic abuse.

Content includes: the occupation and property rights of individuals affected by domestic abuse; orders under the Stalking Protection Act 2019, the Family Law Act 1996 and the new Domestic Abuse Act 2021; Clare’s Law; Legal aid entitlements; Sanctuary schemes; managed reciprocals; homelessness applications, including the implications of the
Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and the Domestic Abuse Act 2021; new local authority duties regarding safe temporary accommodation; brief overview of housing and benefit eligibility and support options (where available) for
clients who have “no recourse to public funds”.

This training aims to provide voluntary and statutory sector staff with an understanding of what economic abuse is and how it can impact on sufferers within a domestic abuse context. It will also improve participants’ ability to identify and respond safely and effectively to clients suffering economic abuse.

The session covers: definitions of economic abuse; different forms of financial and economic abuse; potential impacts of economic abuse; and practical ways to safely support clients experiencing economic abuse. After attending delegates should have a better understanding of how to identify and respond to clients suffering from economic abuse.

This training looks at the different forms of inter-generational abuse: forced marriage and ‘honour’ based abuse; elder abuse; adolescent to parent abuse; and parricide. Delegates will increase their understanding of the legal rights, options and support services available to those affected, and explore differences in the legal options available to these clients, compared with those experiencing intimate partner/ex-partner abuse.

This webinar provides a comprehensive update to experienced practitioners. Rented property topics covered are likely to include: new possession claims; water charges; succession to council tenancy; disability and PSED; AST S21 notices – deregulation act changes; right to rent; rent repayment orders; Benefit cap; bedroom tax. Homelessness topics covered are likely to include: reasonable to occupy; HRA issues; eligibility – settled status and pre-settled status; priority need; intentional homelessness; suitability of accommodation; reviews and appeals.

Aimed at delegates with a good basic knowledge of homelessness and allocations law, this webinar examines the links between the UK immigration status and housing rights. It considers how a person’s eligibility for housing assistance, both in terms of duties owed to people who are homeless and access to social housing more generally, is determined by their immigration status. It also includes an update on relevant legislation including changes effecting EEA nationals after 1st January 2021.

Although the course is not intended as an immigration law course delegates will receive an outline of the immigration system to the extent that it effects access to housing. After attending delegates will have an improved understanding of the rules for determining eligibility for housing assistance under the Housing Act 1996.

This webinar provides more experienced practitioners from local authorities, private practice or the advice sector with an update on important caselaw developments regarding homelessness over the last 2 years. The training will focus on significant or novel issues which impact on the substance of decisions or the way they need to be made.

Attending will help decision makers fulfil their legal obligations to applicants by applying and following the guidance set by the courts. This training will help to identify potential pitfalls. After attending delegates will be aware of the way that recent caselaw has interpreted aspects of homelessness law and the way that other areas of law, such as the Equality Act, impact on homelessness decision-making.

After attending these two webinar sessions delegates will understand the requirements for mortgage claims, how to negotiate with lenders, and how to support clients during proceedings for mortgage possession. This training is suitable for housing advisers, paralegals and lawyers with a good understanding of the possession process.

This training for experienced practitioners covers topics from the basics of judicial review, to a detailed appreciation of the review process, how it should be conducted, and how such decisions can be challenged. There is a focus on inquiries and dealing with medical evidence, as well as the newer duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act.

Attending helps decision-makers fulfil their legal obligations to applications, and helps others consider how best to deal with and challenge decisions, as well as helping identify potential pitfalls. Delegates discuss how recent caselaw has interpreted aspects of homelessness law and the way that other areas of law, such as the Equality Act, impact on homelessness decision-making.

Covers the obligation on landlords introduced by the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 to keep their property "fit" and the rights it gives tenants to take legal action where their landlord fails to do so. The training looks at the non-statutory guidance issued by the MCHLG to help tenants, landlords and local authorities understand the Act which came into force on 20 March 2019.

This training provides participants with an understanding of the occupation rights and legal options available to clients experiencing domestic abuse. It covers: housing options that may be available at the point of relationship breakdown; occupation rights; Police Protection Orders (including changes under the Domestic Abuse Act); occupation rights; Stalking Protection Orders; Non-Molestation Order and Occupation Order Injunctions; overview of legal aid entitlements; Protection from Harassment Act; Claire’s Law; organisations who can help.

This short webinar provides an introduction to the system of welfare benefits. It covers a brief overview of the principal benefits and their qualifying conditions and an explanation of how the various benefits fit together to provide financial support in the United Kingdom.

This short webinar for advisors with limited experience and knowledge of Universal Credit explains how the benefit is supporting people in financial need during the pandemic.

It covers: the basic principles of Universal Credit, the primary qualifying conditions, the application process, how it relates to other Welfare Benefits, and the basics of its calculation and payment. All the special measures introduced in response to the pandemic are included.

One of the most complex aspects of Universal Credit is the assessment and calculation of the Housing Costs Element. This short ninety-minute webinar explains the rules relating to the payment and calculation of this element.

Suitable for advice workers and housing officers that assist and advise tenants with the Housing Cost Element, it covers: payments of rent, service charges, the liability conditions, the occupancy conditions, the ‘extended benefit unit’ and the size criteria, ‘additional bedrooms’, non-dependants and housing cost contributions, local housing allowances, the under-occupancy deduction.

This webinar for experienced benefits advisors and specialists details which classes of accommodation are still eligible for Housing Benefit, rather than Universal Credit, and details the assessment process that local authorities undertake.

Areas covered include: distinctions between supported, specified and exempt accommodation; the criteria for exempt accommodation; the “unreasonably high rent” criteria; local authority rent restrictions; service charge eligibility; the local authority subsidy position; revisions and appeals.

Designed to introduce non-specialist advisors to the basics of good money management and personal budgeting support, this training also includes debt management and the various consequence and remedies for debt relief.

Suggested topics include: the difficulties with Universal Credit; the concept of Financial Capability; Alternative Payment Arrangements and Personal Budgeting Support; writing a realistic budget and recording expenditure; saving money and being a smart consumer; priority and non-priority spending; generating income and grant funding; conversations about money and “debt denial”; borrowing and credit; banking and financial inclusion; challenging and minimising liability for debt; debt management and making repayment arrangements for priority and non-priority debts; Debt Management Plans; Administration Orders; insolvency; Individual Voluntary Arrangements; Debt Relief Orders and Bankruptcy.

This webinar explains the new breathing space scheme for debts, which launched on 4th May 2021. It is aimed at non-specialists who are interested in how breathing space can help their client groups. Areas covered include: how the scheme works, eligibility criteria for the standard scheme and the mental health scheme, which debts are covered, how this affects the enforcement of those debts, how creditors have to behave in relation to those debts and the effect of breathing space on benefit and government debts.

The end of the EU transition period has led to a major change in the way that Universal Credit can be awarded to nationals of the European Economic Area. This short webinar, for advisors with a basic knowledge of social security legislation, examines the rules for EEA Nationals through the “grace period”, the new requirements for EU settlement status and the rules for recent arrived people.

This short webinar explores the impact of economic abuse and outlines the welfare benefit available to support victims to leave domestic abuse situations. Participants will gain clarity about the impact of economic abuse and how it can be used to control victims and reduce their ability to escape domestic abuse.

The session covers the following in the context of Domestic Abuse situations: Universal Credit; two-child limit; Housing Benefit; Child Tax Credit; property and savings; help with childcare costs for working parents.

Many clients are currently faced with serious financial concerns. This three-hour workshop style webinar identifies how to support clients to plan ahead in order to minimise the impact on their future financial situation.

The session covers: the role relating to prevention and advice regarding financial wellbeing and improving negotiation skills to reduce casework instances once restrictions are lifted; government grants and measures in place to support tenants; support available for rent and council tax during the crisis and strategies to reduce outstanding arrears once the restrictions are lifted; creditor support available for personal debt; emergency support available; advice and guidance regarding childcare costs and access; and supporting clients to create an emergency budget plan to support them through the crisis and reduce the impact on financial wellbeing in the long term.

This webinar for housing specialists looks at how the new breathing space scheme can help their clients. Areas covered include: how the scheme works, eligibility criteria for the standard scheme and the mental health scheme, which debts are covered, how this affects the enforcement of those debts, how creditors have to behave in relation to those debts and the effect of breathing space on benefit and government debts. The training finishes with a session on various housing scenarios where Breathing Space could be helpful.

This short webinar explains the emergency measures introduced during the pandemic and how they impact on individuals. It puts the measures into the context of the wider welfare state in order that advisors can guide clients to their most appropriate means of help.

The session covers: the contents of the emergency legislation and its application; how welfare benefits interact with the furloughed workers and self - employed income support scheme; the relaxed criteria for “a limited capability for work” under the Employment and Support Allowance; Universal Credit (the basic qualifying conditions, increased allowances and elements, the “minimum income floor”, the relaxation of work search requirements and other administrative easements); consequential changes to Job Seekers Allowance, Housing Benefit, Carers Allowance, Working Tax Credit, and the Council Tax Reduction Scheme; and the inter-relation between the means of support.

This webinar equips delegates with the key skills to manage their caseload effectively. Participants will be enabled to set realistic targets and identify deadlines. Delegates will explore the issues around shared work on case files, the importance of note taking and the effective closure of cases.

Areas covered include: understanding prevention and advice; skills of an effective caseworker; identifying and agreeing priority tasks with clients; identifying key stages in the case management process; identifying and managing barriers to casework progression; developing good practice in recording case notes and information; and working towards outcomes and case closure.

Run over three short sessions, this webinar series will support participants to recognise and address aggressive and difficult behaviours using a range of strategies developed through psychological theories.

It will support participants to effectively manage difficult conversations and situations and be able to diffuse situation before they escalate. Areas covered include: identifying reasons for anger and the early signs that indicate an escalating situation; techniques for handling potential difficult situations; strategies that can be used to gain control through anger; developing diffusing and de-escalating skills; and distinguishing good working practices for protecting yourself.

This training will enable participants to effectively manage the boundaries between themselves and their clients. The webinar covers: what boundaries are; the risks of strong and flimsy boundaries; reasons for, and strategies for, working in the middle ground ‘The Zone’; warning signs of someone attempting to cross boundaries; recognising situations that increase the risk of compromised boundaries; ways to begin and end working relationships within boundaries; implementing methods of good practice in managing boundaries.

The recent social distancing and isolation regulations have created a perfect environment for domestic abuse to escalate and presents additional challenges for those who need support to escape their situation.

This three-hour workshop style webinar looks at the definition of domestic abuse, the Care Act 2015 guidance, plus any additional guidance regarding the current situation. It also covers: common signs and symptoms of domestic abuse and how to identify it over the phone; supporting customers to identify an abusive relationship; responding to disclosures and requests for help; and an update on services available to gain support.

This webinar will support delegates to develop an understanding of the issues surrounding hoarding behaviours and have the skills to refer concerns appropriately in order to get them some support.

The training covers: insight into hoarding behaviour and the reasons that some people develop tendencies; identifying the signs and symptoms of hoarding behaviours; the risks associated with hoarding; how legislation including Safeguarding and Care Act 2014 are relevant to hoarding behaviours; and how to report suspected cases of hoarding (according to internal organisation policy).

This workshop style webinar will provide guidance and support about how to use negotiation skills to positively influence outcomes for service users.

It will discuss research regarding the psychology of negotiation and provide delegates with strategies to get the best outcomes in different situations.

Topics include: the different stages of negotiation and a model for future negotiation with customers; the importance of communication skills in getting the best outcomes; dealing with difficult situations, specifically objections and anger raised during eviction proceedings; reaching workable solutions for dealing with a range of housing issues using objective criteria; and good practice relating to recording behaviour agreements.

The legal requirements for housing providers to train staff in safeguarding and have clear reporting pathways are heightened due to the enforcement of social distancing.

This workshop style webinar will update staff on the importance of remaining vigilant to safeguarding concerns and how to respond appropriately during these extraordinary times.

It covers: legislation regarding safeguarding for housing providers; categories, signs and symptoms of adult and child abuse; identifying possible abuse over the phone; approaches to handling a call of distress; how to respond to disclosures using the internal reporting process; what to do if you are worried about a customer, including guidance for responding to immediate danger; sharing information in line with GDPR, confidentiality and consent; and supporting customers to keep themselves safe.

Building and maintaining strong partnership with clients has always been an essential element of providing the best services but is particularly important in this time of uncertainty and fear.

Many staff and tenants will be feeling isolated and anxious about the impact on their wellbeing whilst they are staying at home so much more than usual.

This workshop style webinar provides a range of strategies to support staff and customers to remain positive and hopeful, including: suitable channels of communication; supporting the most vulnerable tenants; maintaining a professional approach to telephone calls; professional and personal responses in a home environment; how to respond to, and managing personal responses to, a distressed caller.

This short webinar will enable participants to develop and adapt their communication skills to provide effective and empathetic telephone advice.

It covers: using a structured approach when carrying out a telephone interview; using active listening skills in order to help your client explore their situation; showing empathy to your client in order to help them understand their situation; using questioning and summarizing skills in order to profess the interview; giving information clearly within the constraints of a telephone call; understanding and abiding by the service boundaries; and ending a call assertively.

This webinar will help participants appraise and improve their professional writing style to ensure they communicate effectively with customers and colleagues.

It covers the 5 Cs of effective business writing, including: setting a clear purpose; structuring letters, emails and reports to ensure clarity and coherence; writing in a consistent professional voice; avoiding common mistakes in grammar, punctuation and language; proofreading to ensure consistency and consideration.

These two half-day sessions will enable participants to learn and implement the four elements of Motivational Interviewing so that they can empower others to facilitate change and take future action. Particularly suitable for workers who offer interviewing or coaching services to clients, but also relevant to others wishing to develop and enhance their client working skills.

Areas covered include: the definition of Motivational Interviewing - its 4 elements; engaging with clients by avoiding traps and roadblocks to communication; following the OARS structure for listening, questioning and feedback; focusing on issues that clients want/need to change by: recognising and evoking change talk, recognising sustain talk and understanding how confident and willing the person is to change; planning and implementing the change with the client by: understanding the 5 stages of the change process, knowing what to do with clients in each stage, and assisting the person if they fail to take action.

This short webinar will focus on managing remote working and using available time effectively for maximum productivity and efficiency.

Areas covered include: identifying personal barriers to effective time management; how to plan work tasks and prioritise them efficiently; managing your workload effectively; and managing deadlines for minimal stress.