Agreeing Action

What Will Happen?

When we talk to you we will meet you somewhere that you feel comfortable. This could be the housing office, your home, a relative’s house or somewhere else. You can decide. In most cases we will meet you within 3 working days. If it is urgent we will want to speak to you in person within 24 hours.

When we meet you we will need to know what has happened, when it happened, where it happened, how often it happens, how it affected you and how it has affected other people.

We will then agree a course of action with you to deal with the problem. The action plan will advise you what you need to do. It will also tell you what we are going to do and the deadlines we will work to. We promise to keep you informed of progress in your case by the time of the deadlines we have agreed. To resolve this problem we need to work together as partners and complete our side of the action plan.

There might be times when we think there is not a problem to resolve. Our undertaking is that we will be honest and straight with you and inform you when we think there is no case to answer.

Nipping it in the bud (Assessment)

The course of action we agree might need you to talk to the other person. A lot of straightforward problems can be dealt with simply by talking the problem through with the other person. A timely reminder of responsibilities and that what they are doing is upsetting could be all the situation needs.

If you talk to them, don’t get involved in an argument and if they are being unreasonable, just walk away. If you would rather we were with you, we could use our "accompanied approach" technique, agreed with our residents steering group. We will set up the meeting and come along with you to help you talk through the problem together. If you would prefer, we can try and resolve the problem by using our mediation service. Whatever approach is chosen, you will be the person making the choice after advice from us.

If the problem can’t be nipped in the bud, we might have to take action.