Caral Stevenson

The diffusion of risks in public private partnership contracts

Purpose - The UK government argues that the benefits of public private partnership (PPP) in delivering public infrastructure stem from transferring risks to the private sector within a structure in which financiers put their own capital at risk, and the performance-based payment mechanism, reinforced by the due diligence requirements imposed by the lenders financing the projects. Prior studies of risk in PPPs have investigated “what” risks are allocated and to “whom”, that is to the public or the private sector. The purpose of this study is to examine “how” and “why” PPP risks are diffused by their financiers. Design/methodology/approach - This study focuses on the financial structure of PPPs and on their financiers. Empirical evidence comes from interviews conducted with equity and debt financiers. Findings - The findings show that the financial structure of the deals generates risk aversion in both debt and equity financiers and that the need to attract affordable finance leads to risk diffusion through a network of companies using various means that include contractual mitigation through insurance, performance support guarantees, interest rate swaps and inflation hedges. Because of the complexity this process generates, both procurers and suppliers need expensive expert advice. The risk aversion and diffusion and the consequent need for advice add cost to the projects, impacting on the governments economic argument for risk transfer. Originality/value - The expectation inherent in PPP is that the private sector will better manage those risks allocated to it and because private capital is at risk, financiers will perform due diligence with the ultimate outcome that only viable projects will proceed. This paper presents empirical evidence that raises questions about these expectations.

‘We did more rough sleeping just to be together’ – Homeless drug users’ romantic relationships in hostel accommodation

Aims: This article explores the intimate relationships of homeless drug users (HDUs) who stay in emergency hostels and night shelters. Methods: Data collection took place across South Central England and involved semi-structured interviews with 40 HDUs (29 males; 11 females), who were currently staying, or had recently stayed, in emergency hostels and shelters. Interviews were professionally transcribed and systematically coded. Data relating to participants’ intimate relationships were retrieved and analysed using Framework. Findings: Fourteen individuals were currently in a relationship, and all 40 had previously been in a relationship, often whilst homeless. Key themes and concepts identified were: relationship commitment and the desire to be together; physical proximity, including sexual intercourse, and the role of anomalous bodies; enforced separations and their impact on relationships; relationship problems and risks; and the beneficial effects of relationships on anxiety, isolation, safety and the management and reduction of drug consumption. Conclusions: Despite barriers and difficulties, HDUs can and do engage in functional and positive romantic relationships. Services which are unsympathetic or hostile to HDUs’ needs for meaningful intimate relationships potentially exacerbate the social exclusion HDUs already experience and may undermine one of the few forms of social capital that they are able to access.

Homeless Drug Users and Information Technology: A Qualitative Study with Potential Implications for Recovery from Drug Dependence

Background: Having access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) is a prerequisite to meaningful participation in society. Objectives: This paper seeks to: i. explore the engagement of homeless drug users (HDUs) with ICTs and ii. discuss the findings with reference to recovery from drug dependence. Methods: The study design was qualitative and longitudinal, involving data collected in 2012–13 via 52 semi-structured interviews with 30 homeless drug users (25 men; five women). Participants were recruited from 17 hostels in two English cities. Interview data were analyzed using Framework. Results: HDUs had access to ICTs, used ICTs, and wanted to engage with them more. Experiences of digital exclusion were a function of participants’ inability to afford ICTs, the relatively cheap and poor quality technology available to them, limited knowledge about ICTs, and lack of support in using them. That HDUs were often unable to take full advantage of technology because they had nobody to explain what their devices could do or to show them how they worked was ironic given that using ICTs to (re)establish and maintain relationships were functions of technology that HDUs particularly liked. Conclusions: The physical, human, cultural, and social capital of HDUs influenced their access to, and use of, ICTs. Equally, ICTs were themselves an important recovery resource. Services and others should endeavor to provide HDUs with easy access to good quality technology, as well as offers of support and education so that all individuals have the knowledge and confidence to make optimum use of the technology that is available to them.

Sleeping at the margins: a qualitative study of homeless drug users who stay in emergency hostels and shelters

A growing social science literature demonstrates that sleep is not merely a personal matter but also a political problem and a public health issue. Taking this as a point of departure, our article presents an analysis of sleeping practices amongst homeless drug users (HDUs) who make use of emergency hostels and night shelters in England. Data generated by way of qualitative interviews undertaken with 29 men and 11 women reveal that, as we might expect, securing sleep for this group is by no means easy. The strategies they pursue to find places to sleep are described, as are the threats and barriers to their sleeping. Emergency hostels and night shelters can afford a lifeline; providing warmth, water, food and access to support services. But if these are inadequately resourced they can be experienced as volatile environments and inimical to sleeping. It is argued here that although sleep is an essential prerequisite for health, for this population it can, somewhat ironically, be experienced as a risky behaviour. Vulnerable to both physical risks (e.g. inclement weather) and social threats (e.g. abuse and violence), falling asleep can exacerbate exposure to such dangers. These vulnerabilities are compounded by the social position of HDUs who live in socially and physically marginal places. It is this marginality that prevents them from being able to secure sleep that is both restful and restorative.

A qualitative exploration of relations and interactions between people who are homeless and use drugs and staff in homeless hostel accommodation

Aims: This article explores relations and interactions between hostel staff and people who are homeless, use drugs (PHUD) and stay in hostels and shelters. Methods: Data collection took place in six areas of South Central England. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 40 participants who were staying or had recently stayed in an emergency hostel or shelter. Recordings were professionally transcribed and coded and analysed using Framework. Results: Despite there being some positive experiences, generally PHUD had negative experiences of living in hostels. Poor treatment, not listening, lack of privacy, infantilization and unprofessionalism emerged as key themes and impeded the development of social capital. Conclusions: Hostel staff are not always assigned a therapeutic role. However evidence from the current study suggests that care and consideration may go a long way in aiding homeless drug users’ progression in hostel settings.

The use of computer-assisted therapy by homeless drug users living in hostels: An explorative qualitative study

Aims: To explore the use of computer-assisted therapy (CAT) by homeless drug users (HDUs) living in hostels in order to assess the likely acceptability of online treatment for this population. Methods: Repeat semi-structured interviews with 30 HDUs (25 men; 5 women) who agreed to participate in a 12-week mentor-assisted online drug treatment programme: Breaking Free Online (BFO). Interviews were transcribed, coded and analysed using Framework. Findings: Prior to the first BFO session, HDUs’ hopes and goals were seldom confined to reducing their drug consumption. Most described broader recovery and wellbeing aims, and many wanted BFO to improve their computing skills. Nearly all participants expressed positive feelings about the programme after both their first and last session, with clients highlighting BFOs accessibility, flexibility, interactive capabilities and user-friendly interface. Negative comments related to structural barriers that prevented the programme from being used as intended. After the last BFO session, only four clients reported reduced substance use, but other personal, psychological, educational and social benefits were identified. Conclusions: There is potential for using CAT programmes, such as BFO, with HDUs living in hostels. However, evaluations might need to assess a range of recovery indicators in order to gauge any evidence of treatment success.

Cannabis use: What's law got to do with it? Perceptions and knowledge of cannabis policy from the user perspective in Northern Ireland

Aims: The past several years have seen changes and additions to drug policy in the UK; however, the opinion and attitude of those who use the drug is rarely discussed. The aim of this article is to examine attitudes to cannabis policy among adults who use the drug in Northern Ireland. The article also aims to consider these opinions in the context of the UK generally and draws parallels with other international regions. Methods: Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 38 adults aged 18–59 with a range of levels of cannabis experience. The sample included 22 males and 16 females. Respondents were recruited using a snowball sampling procedure from both urban (city and small town) and rural locations in Northern Ireland. Findings: The findings illustrate that the majority of the sample had some knowledge of cannabis policy but were unaware of the implications of possession for users. The results showed that people who used cannabis were relatively unconcerned about legal penalties. Conclusion: Cannabis users tend to consume the drug irrespective of policy. The reclassification of cannabis resulted in confusion as to what the penalties were, users continued to use cannabis irrespective of the law prior to and following reclassification and they felt that policy was irrelevant to use.