Robin Johnson

Social psychiatry and social policy for the twenty‐first century – new concepts for new needs: relational health

– This final article in the series of three identifies and illustrates the links between the “enabling environment” approach and contemporary social policy themes such as relational health, public health, social inclusion; and the “Big Society”., – The paper begins with an example of the standards‐based approach in practice. It then indicates other areas where this approach is currently being explored. Finally it summarises recent contemporary policy frameworks for which the EE approach, it is suggested, supplies both a shared vocabulary and a practical, evidence‐able agenda., – There is growing recognition of the need for a “sea change” away from a simple clinical interventions framework for community mental health and addressing health inequalities. There are clear linkages in this new approach with past and emerging policy frameworks in public health and corporate social responsibility, including the need for more “bottom up” solutions with local ownership., – This series of three papers is the first introduction to psychologically informed environments and the enabling environment approach to be made available to the general and specialist public.

Public health and social housing: a natural alliance

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to comment on current evolving UK policy in public health and social housing; and especially to outline “blind spots” in conventional health research approaches that have tended to obscure the evidence and potential in collaborative working.Design/methodology/approach – The paper summarises policy developments, in the light of recent relevant research. Mental health is used as an example.Findings – Public health policy in the UK is new and rapidly developing; but the evidence base remains scattered across different disciplines and their various disparate communication channels. Any new public health strategy focussed on health inequalities needs to recognise the role that social housing already plays in supporting concentrations of the more vulnerable. Better recognition of the everyday social and especially mental health problems that social housing staff deal with illustrates the central role of housing management as the defining factor in social housing, and the poten...

Mental health, social inclusion and housing: Mapping the issues for service providers

Social inclusion means ensuring that all individuals, despite any particular perceived ‘differentness’ (Sayce, 2000; Harrison & Davis, 2001) or disadvantage in life, may nevertheless feel at home in the world and find a sense of belonging in their local community. But the most important place to feel at home is at home.

Mental health and the settled accommodation indicator in the SEA PSA: priority areas for local action

Four routes or pathways have now been identified by which individuals may come within the scope of PSA 16 National Indicator 149, which is concerned with monitoring efforts to achieve settled accommodation for individuals with significant mental health problems. This article focuses on their needs and the identification of those with mental health needs as seen through these four principal routes. An understanding of these four possible pathways can help to identify areas for priority action, local delivery chains and partnerships, and also highlight some of the challenges and risks in and for delivery.

Bringing it all back home: mental health and housing

This article calls for better co‐operation and co‐ordination between mental health and housing support services, and greater recognition of the important role of social housing in community mental health care.

Innovation, local engagement and leadership; the future of supported housing in mental health

The new local government performance framework, in combination with the move towards greater personalisation in services, creates a radically new funding environment for housing with care and support. From the Public Service Agreement (PSA) on achieving settled accommodation for individuals at risk of exclusion, through to the impact of local joint strategic needs asessments and individual budgets, the principles and mechanisms of the new joint commissioning culture create more opportunities for providers to articulate the needs of the client group served, and to assert the case for more joined‐up and responsive services. This may require different skills and new styles of leadership at local level, and providers who have become adept at being competitors may need to re‐discover the skills of partnership. Meanwhile, new social exclusion policy frameworks are emerging for supported accommodation, which can support moves away from institutional care for those with mental health problems.

An idea whose time has come? Mental health, social inclusion and housing

The Social Exclusion Units report on mental health, published in the summer of 2004, had surprisingly little to say about housing. But behind the scenes there has been a ferment of activity, and the National Institute for Mental Health for England (NIMHE) has been given the lead role in advancing all central government efforts to create a more joined‐up vision of mental health for the 21st century. NIMHE has taken the lead on implementation of the SEUs conclusions, and much more besides. A National Project Team on mental health and housing is to come together next year, with a wide‐ranging brief. This article looks at some of the issues that this new body will take on, including a new focus on research on the links between poor mental health and poor housing, and on evaluation of ‘housing‐based solutions’. As NIMHE itself is absorbed from April into the new Care Services Improvement Partnership, the prospects for linking housing with the community care modernisation agenda must be looking up.

A commentary on: Demonstrating the Effectiveness of Housing Support Services for People with Mental Health Problems: A Review by Nicholas Pleace and Alison Wallace, Centre for Housing Policy, University of York

Purpose – This paper is an extended review and expert commentary on a recently published study by the Centre for Housing Policy (CHP) which discusses the complexities of research in ‘‘housing related support’’ in the UK context, and proposes further work. This review aims to explore the strengths and limitations of the study; and the potential wider relevance outside the UK research context. Design/methodology/approach – The review methodology is traditionally that of expert opinion. The reviewer draws upon previous evaluation studies of mental health and housing, commissioned by the UK Dept of Health, the (Dept of) Communities and Local Government, the National Institute for Mental Health in England, and the Care Services Improvement Partnership, including additional material on the Mental Health Minimum Dataset. Findings – The CHP report reviewed raises important questions over the complexities of evidencing innovative services. Despite some omissions, it should be helpful to health local commissioners in assessing the value of services; and the further research the report proposes is to be welcomed. The report also provides a useful introduction to ‘‘housing related support’’ for an international research audience, less familiar with the UK social policy and funding context. Originality/value – The review introduces and recommends the CHP study – which is itself a valuable contribution to future research on housing-related support – to a wider audience. The review also includes additional material never before published on the potential research value in the context of the Mental Health Minimum Dataset.