Last Call For The Black Friday Discount & Your Weekly Update
In this edition:
- Final Call To Save 20% On Black Friday
- More Information On The Planned “Respect Orders”
- The Role of Equality Act Assessors in ASB Cases
- New Domestic Abuse Protections
- Janine & Darren’s Weekly Round Up
Black Friday Offer – Last Chance to Save 20%!
Time is running out to take advantage of our Black Friday offer! Get 20% off all e-learning courses and open access training when you use code BLACKFRIDAY20 at checkout.
Whether you’re looking to build your foundation in ASB management or refine your expertise with advanced courses, now’s the perfect opportunity to invest in your skills.
- E-Learning Courses: Flexible, on-demand training including Defining ASB, Managing Neighbour Disputes, and more.
- Open Access Training: Live expert-led sessions such as ASB Injunctions, Case Management, and Drafting Legal Notices.
Don’t miss out – the offer ends today!
Respect Orders and Housing Injunctions: What the Latest Updates Mean for ASB Policy
Following a discussion in the House of Commons last week regarding the new governments proposed “Respect Orders”, our partner Janine shared an update on LinkedIn about the latest developments.
Here’s a breakdown of the key updates that are new news:
- The ASB injunction will be renamed the “Housing Injunction”, limited to social housing providers and designed to address “lower-level, neighbourhood issues.”
- The ASB injunction will remain available for young people, still accessible to Housing, Councils, and Police.
- The definition of ASB for the Respect Order will be “harassment, alarm, or distress.”
- Respect Orders can be used by Police, Councils, and Housing.
Re-confirmed Information that we were already aware of:
- Respect Orders will apply to adults only, targeting the most serious offenders and focusing on issues in town centres.
- The orders will include positive requirements and be standalone measures.
- There will be an automatic power of arrest on all suspected breaches.
- Breach will be a criminal offence with sanctions including up to 2 years’ custody, unlimited fines, or a community order.
- Respect Orders will be piloted first.
In her post, Janine has highlighted a key concern, that if the proposed legislation is implemented as currently outlined this could lead to inequality for those experiencing ASB in and around their homes. Social housing tenants, or those affected by their behaviour, may benefit from the Housing Injunction, which applies a lower threshold of “nuisance or annoyance.” However, non-tenants facing the same behaviour and harm would instead require Police or Councils to apply for the Respect Order, which uses the higher threshold of “harassment, alarm, or distress.”
Monitoring the progress of this legislation will be so important, as is taking every opportunity to influence its content, so that we can ensure it delivers fair and equitable protections for all those affected by ASB.
Equality Act Assessors and ASB Cases: What You Need to Know from the Laidley Ruling
Kieran King, from Brabners Solicitors, has written an article examining the role of Equality Act assessors in anti-social behaviour cases, using the recent Laidley v Metropolitan Housing Trust Ltd case as a key example. It looks at how assessors influence fairness and judicial discretion, particularly around the disclosure of their advice. This is a useful read for ASB professionals, offering insights into how these developments could affect the management of tenancies and possession proceedings involving vulnerable tenants.
Stronger Tools for Tackling Domestic Abuse: What ASB Practitioners Need to Know
The UK government has introduced Domestic Abuse Protection Notices (DAPNs) and Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) to provide stronger safeguards for victims of domestic abuse. DAPNs, issued by the police, offer immediate protection by imposing conditions on the perpetrator, while DAPOs, which can be applied for by victims, police, or third parties, provide longer-term tailored measures. Breaching a DAPO is a criminal offence, reinforcing their effectiveness. Currently being piloted, these measures aim to streamline and enhance existing protective frameworks.
For ASB practitioners, these new tools offer valuable support in cases where domestic abuse and ASB intersect, enabling more robust interventions to protect victims while addressing problematic behaviour within communities.
For a detailed overview of DAPNs and DAPOs and how they could impact your work, read the full government briefing here.
Janine & Darren’s Weekly Round Up
We cannot believe that it is the start of December – this year has literally flown by! It was a big week for the proposed “Respect Orders” last week, with the plans being being discussed in the House of Commons. The discussion confirmed key details about the proposed Respect Orders and Housing Injunctions, but it has also raised significant concerns. If implemented as outlined, the legislation risks creating inequality in how ASB is addressed, particularly for those who aren’t social housing tenants. It’s vital that we stay engaged as this legislation progresses, influencing its content to ensure fair and equitable protections for everyone impacted by ASB.
On a lighter note – our ASB Advent is well underway over on LinkedIn! Make sure you are following our business page to get tips, guidance and support on all things ASB and community safety, not just from us but from industry leaders and experts who are sharing some brilliant advice.
Finally, don’t forget that our Black Friday offer finishes today – you can save 20% on our upcoming courses and on all e-learning modules. Head over to our website and use the code BLACKFRIDAY20 to claim your discount.
Have a great week,
Janine & Darren