- Intermediate * 6 hours CPD
The course is aimed at training practitioners (housing and ASB officers) in understanding, gathering and presenting evidence that is "fit for purpose" - that is from first complaint to court action; how to use the most appropriate enforcement tools; how to assess and balance the rights of the individual against the rights of the community and associated case law (including the issue of mentally disordered perpetrators and the Disability Discrimination Act); the escalation process and how to prioritise cases. The course will cover the following areas:
- The "Broken Windows" theory behind why we need to tackle ASB
- Evidence gathering and presentation...from complaint to court
- The special requirements in the use of Hearsay evidence
- The most practical and workable ASB enforcement options (including Acceptable Behaviour Contracts, Injunctions, Parenting Orders, Drink Banning Orders, Closure Orders, ASBOs and appropriate prohibitions, Protection from Harassment Act 1997, Directions to Leave and Possession and Demotion)
- Information Sharing between public bodies
- Balancing the rights of the community against those of the individual and Article 8 of the ECHR
- Review of recent case law
- Roles and responsibilities of Housing and ASB staff and maintaining a housing file
- Appropriate responses to suit the issue and the correct application of an escalation process