Free DA masterclass places running out plus major ASB and housing updates
In this weeks edition:
- Paying Tribute to Baroness Helen Newlove
- Scotland to remove bus passes from youths engaging in ASB
- Renters’ Rights Act: Roadmap Published and Key Dates Confirmed
- Shine a Light on Someone Who Deserves It: Nominate a Colleague for a Free Domestic Abuse Masterclass
- Black Friday: Final Few Weeks to Save 15% on Live Training
- This Weeks Top Tip: Use Kindness As Prevention
Paying Tribute to Baroness Helen Newlove
We were saddened to learn of the passing of Baroness Helen Newlove, the Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, who died aged 63 following a short illness.
Many across the ASB, justice and community safety sectors will feel the loss of someone whose work reshaped how victims are seen, heard and supported. Her advocacy was rooted in personal tragedy following the murder of her husband Garry in 2007, yet the way she channelled that experience into national change was remarkable.
During her time as Commissioner, she strengthened the Victims’ Code, pushed for clearer rights and accountability, and ensured that victims’ experiences sat at the heart of the Victims and Prisoners Act. Her leadership was widely recognised across Parliament and beyond, with colleagues describing her as courageous, principled and deeply compassionate.
Baroness Newlove’s voice made a genuine difference to victims and witnesses navigating a system that can often feel overwhelming. Her commitment to dignity, respect and fairness has shaped current expectations of practice across our sector.
Our thoughts are with her family, friends and colleagues. Her contribution will continue to influence the way organisations approach victim care and uphold standards in the months and years ahead.
Scotland to Remove Free Bus Travel from Young People Engaging in ASB
The Scottish Government has confirmed that new regulations will be brought to Holyrood next month to allow free bus travel to be suspended for young people who engage in anti social behaviour on the network.
Connectivity minister Jim Fairlie told MSPs that detailed work is underway on a behaviour code, impact assessments and a clear process for suspending or removing concessionary travel cards. The regulations are planned for 4 December.
While the vast majority of passengers travel safely and respectfully, ministers highlighted the small minority whose behaviour causes harm to drivers, staff and other passengers. The new powers will allow passes to be removed on a temporary or permanent basis where behaviour meets the threshold.
For ASB practitioners, this marks another example of transport-linked enforcement being brought forward as a deterrent. It also reinforces the importance of partnership work between transport providers, police and youth services when responding to disruptive behaviour in environments outside housing areas.
This issue has been frequently raised during our work with Community Safety Teams in Scotland over the past 12 months. It reinforces the importance of partnership work between transport providers, Police Scotland, youth services and social care as it encompasses a range of other factors beyond anti-social behaviour such as safeguarding, access to services (i.e. education, healthcare & leisure) and personal independence.
Renters’ Rights Act: Roadmap Published and Key Dates Confirmed
The government has now released its full implementation roadmap following Royal Assent of the Renters’ Rights Act. The document sets out what landlords, partners and councils will be expected to work towards over the next eighteen months.
Key phase one changes coming into force on 1 May 2026 include:
- Section 21 ends
- All PRS tenancies move to periodic
- Strengthened grounds for anti social behaviour and serious rent arrears
- Rent increases limited to once per year
- Ban on rental bidding and restrictions on rent in advance
- Protections against discrimination for families with children and people receiving benefits
- Requirement for landlords to consider pet requests within clear timescales
From December 2025, councils will gain new investigatory and enforcement powers, with additional funding allocated to support this expanded role.
Why this matters for ASB practitioners
Stronger ASB grounds will place more emphasis on evidence, decision making and consistent triage. For housing teams and partners, this increases the importance of early engagement, accurate records and clear communication that stands up to scrutiny. The social housing sector will phase into the reforms at a later stage, but the expectations around practice and case quality are already set – which gives an opportunity to ensure that your provision is ready and fit for purpose.
Shine a Light on Someone Who Deserves It: Nominate a Colleague for a Free Domestic Abuse Masterclass
Every organisation has people who quietly shoulder the most complex, emotionally heavy parts of the job. The ones who steady situations, spot risk early and bring calm when things feel stretched. This month, you can recognise that work in a meaningful way…
We have fewer than half of our 30 free places left on the Housing and Domestic Abuse masterclass taking place on Thursday 27 November, 9.30 to 11.00. Delivered by Dr Kelly Henderson CIHCM and Debs Alderson, the session focuses on perpetrator responses, MATAC, government standards and the practical realities facing frontline staff.
These places are funded through a donation we made to CoppaFeel!, allowing us to open the session to people who will genuinely benefit, with no cost to them or their organisation.
If someone in your team has shown real commitment and care in their role, don’t miss the opportunity to nominate them.
How to nominate:
Reply with their name and one sentence on why this would support their work. Self nominations are welcome.
Black Friday: Final Few Weeks to Save 15% on Live Training
Our Black Friday offer continues through November, with 15 percent off all live online training courses when using code BF15GB.
Several courses are now close to capacity, and we expect the remaining spaces to go quickly as teams work through their end of year development plans.
Upcoming courses with limited availability include:
Applying Judge Craft to ASB Case Management
Wednesday 26 November, 9.30 to 12.00
A practical session on explaining decisions clearly, setting out rationale and maintaining consistency when cases become complex.
Level 2 ASB Case Management Principles
Monday 2 December, 9.30 to 16.00
Accredited, and ideal for those newer to ASB or stepping into more responsibility.
Effective Good Neighbourhood Management
Tuesday 9 December, 9.30 to 12.30
Covers the day to day issues that sit just below the ASB threshold but still affect relationships, expectations and community confidence.
If you are planning training before year end or preparing development time for early 2026, now is a good time to secure places at the discounted rate.
Use code BF15GB at checkout to apply the discount.
This Weeks Top Tip: Use Kindness As Prevention
World Kindness Day lands differently when you work in ASB.
At #ASB11, Rose Simkins from StopHate UK reminded us that it is often the smallest behaviours that shape whether a neighbourhood feels safe or strained. Here’s this weeks tip based from Rose’s session at this years conference:
“Use kindness as a practical intervention, not a slogan. Checking in with a neighbour, challenging a harmful comment early, or taking an extra minute to listen during a complaint call can shift the tone of an entire case. These are the moments that reduce escalation long before enforcement enters the picture. It isn’t about being soft or overlooking behaviour. It is a practical way to lower tension before it hardens into something more complex.”
ADR Mediation CIC Launches Conflict Resolution Week 2026
To mark International Restorative Justice Week, one of our sponsors from #ASB11 ADR Mediation & Training CIC have launched their plans for Conflict Resolution Week 2026, a national awareness campaign running from 26 April to 1 May 2026.
The week will bring together housing providers, community safety teams, mediation services, local authorities and partner agencies to highlight practical approaches to preventing conflict and improving communication. A dedicated one day conference will take place in Manchester, alongside training events, workshops and a special podcast series.
For those working in ASB, the campaign is a timely reminder that early communication and restorative approaches often shape outcomes long before formal tools are considered. The focus on confidence, communication and consistency links directly to the pressures housing teams face in casework and partnership settings.
ADR Mediation are inviting organisations to register interest, explore partnership opportunities and contribute to the week’s programme. For housing providers, this is an opportunity to amplify good practice, share learning and be part of a national effort to strengthen conflict resolution skills across frontline services.
If you or your organisation would like to get involved, ADR Mediation are now developing their partner list and event schedule for the spring. You can get in touch by emailing hello@adrmediation.org.uk or steve@adrmediation.org.uk.
Janine and Darren’s Weekly Round Up
It has been another full on week of casework support, training delivery and partner meetings, with many teams now focusing on what needs to be completed before year end. A lot of the work we have been asked to help with lately involves reviewing ongoing ASB cases, offering guidance on evidence, proportionality and next steps, and helping organisations check that their approach stands up to scrutiny.
There has also been plenty of discussion around the government’s implementation roadmap for the Renters’ Rights Act. The strengthened ASB grounds and the shift towards more consistent decision making have been big talking points, especially for teams preparing for the changes ahead.
The launch of Conflict Resolution Week 2026 from ADR Mediation CIC has created some useful reflection with clients about how communication, timing and restorative approaches can prevent situations from becoming entrenched. It feels relevant at a point in the year when demand typically spikes and conversations can easily become transactional.
A quick reminder that our Black Friday offer continues through November, and several courses are now close to capacity. If you are planning development time for teams, it is worth securing places while the 15 percent discount is still available.
As always, if we can support with case reviews, internal processes or training, please get in touch.
Have a good week,
Darren and Janine