In September, Inside Housing Management published an article in which three members of our team shared best practice for supporting tenants with complex mental health needs. The piece aimed to clarify what “complex needs” really means, explore the types of challenges housing staff encounter and highlight how dynamic risk assessment, effective management support and access to specialist services can make a meaningful difference. At its heart, the article reinforced that compassionate, trauma-informed practice is essential across all housing roles.
The response to the article led to an invitation to join the panel at Homes UK 2025 in London, within the Tenant Voice and Housing Quality programme. Our Head of Operations for Housing and Recovery, Kimberley, represented us, opening the session before taking part in a Q&A. Sitting alongside Mavis Adombire and chaired by Anna Highfield, the panel explored how best to equip housing staff to support residents facing complex mental health challenges and why strong training, reflective practice and effective partnerships are central to improving outcomes.
We are grateful to Homes UK for the opportunity to continue raising awareness of this important topic. Supporting tenants with complex mental health needs is a shared responsibility, and by strengthening understanding and improving the tools available to staff, we can create safer, more compassionate and more resilient housing environments for everyone.