Associated Policies

Last modified 20/04/09 at 12:59

• The Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003
• Resident Involvement
• Disability Discrimination Act 1995
• Race Relations Act 1976
• Children’s Act 1989
• Homelessness Act 2002
• Housing Act 2004
• Housing Corporation Guidance – ASB Policy & Procedure Guidance for Housing Associations
• “Together” initiative
• “Respect” Agenda
• In-Business for Neighbourhoods
• Mole Valley Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership

Examples of Associated Policies in Practice:

Community Safety Strategy:

Mole Valley District Council has a Community Safety Strategy and employs a Community Safety Officer. The Community Safety Officer works as the focal point for the Council and the public when dealing with anti-social behaviour. The Community Safety Officer is the main point of contact for Mole Valley Housing Association when dealing with issues of anti-social behaviour.

Mole Valley Housing Association is a major partner within the Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership in Mole Valley and the Surrey Mediation Service. Support is available to the perpetrator of anti-social behaviour particularly through partnership working. By working with the individual and establishing why they have a particular pattern of behaviour, remedies to stop the behaviour can be considered.

Introductory Tenancies:

Mole Valley Housing Association grants Introductory Tenancies to new tenants who have not previously held a tenancy with a social housing provider. This enables Mole Valley Housing Association to take prompt action against tenants who breach the conditions of tenancy during the first year of occupation. The rules that govern the behaviour of occupiers of Mole Valley Housing Association homes are set out in the tenancy conditions.

Children’s Act 1989:

ASB, involving juveniles, will involve Mole Valley Housing Association working with other agencies, in particular the Family Assessment Teams for an assessment of need to be carried out as per S17 Children’s Act 1989. It would be preferable for this assessment to take place before any anti-social behaviour enforcement action is taken, although it is recognised that this is not always possible.

Housing Register:

A tenant who is the instigator of anti-social behaviour will not qualify for a housing transfer.

An applicant for housing, who has been guilty of anti-social behaviour, may not be admitted to the Housing Register following the Homelessness Act 2002.

Information Sharing Protocol:

Mole Valley Housing Association has entered into a Surrey wide information sharing protocol with the Police and other statutory agencies. Information should be treated as confidential but can be shared with other agencies within the terms of the protocol on a need to know basis. The Data Protection Act is taken into account within the protocol.

“Together” Initiative:

The “Together” initiative was launched by the Government to complement the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003. It is about dealing with anti-social behaviour at a local level and working with the community – so resolving the problems “together”. There is an emphasis on partnership working and responding to the needs of the community.

iN-Business for Neighbourhoods:

This initiative is part of a longer-term change programme initiated by the Government. Its aim is to enable the creation of successful neighbourhoods where people want to live. It also aims to challenge the negative perceptions that exist in some areas about Housing Associations, their customers and their homes.

“Respect” Agenda:

The “Respect” agenda was introduced to support work already being carried out around anti-social behaviour. It attempts to tackle the causes of anti-social behaviour, particularly around young people. It looks at the values that people have and addresses issues surrounding effective parenting and good education. The “Respect” agenda also addresses community factors and individuals, looking at issues with drugs and alcohol.