Please note: this site is optimised for the big screen - desktops and tablets - and is rather less readable on mobile phones. Otherwise, do read on.........

Welcome to the PIELink

For just over 10 years - from roughly 2015-2025 - this website provided an online, active and interactive home for a constantly growing community of practice in the development of 'Psychologically Informed Environments' : PIEs.

Developed originally in the context of homelessness services in the UK, the PIEs approach is now being adopted more widely, wherever services need to respond creatively to more complex psychological and emotional needs (HERE).

In these pages you will find a treasure trove of useful items, all for the purpose of sharing practice, developments, research, experiences, thoughts and opinions.  These range from published papers and official (UK government) guidance,  to recordings of discussions; and some specially produced video content.

Some items are very much of their time;  some are timeless; and some are still ahead of their time.   (NB: some are not currently available to download, and you may need to email to request a copy : HERE)

But we have come a long way in this time. We do know, pretty much, how to improve services from within, thought certainly it takes initiative, some leadership, as well as vision and inspiration. But we have developed processes such as the Pizazz (HERE), to help services and teams identify their own way forwards.

We live in hope…

NB: With the retirement of the original founder and editor, there will now need to be a pause in all the member-facing, interactive features (webinars, member forums and most of the special interest groups).

 

For those new to PIEs and just getting started here:

PIE for beginners

The ideas behind the idea - the inspiration, the point; also some of the history.

But mainly, plenty of general, practical advice on developing as PIEs; and how best to use this website.

START HERE

The PIE framework

There are two overall frameworks of operational practice in general use, spelled out here - 'PIEs One' (also called the 'classic')  and the updated 'PIEs 2.0'; and a number of 'hybrids', combining features of each. 

Mostly this website uses PIEs 2.0, which is the expanded version, that takes in many more issues in development and practice. But you can use whichever best reflects where your services (and staff) are at. Go: HERE

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Members' events, forums and special interest groups

Regular events for PIElink community members. Now that we are all familiar with Zoom, Teams etc etc - it was time to talk.

The ambition here has always been to provide not just a resource library, but a meeting place for a community of practice. For the current position with member forums and special interest groups, check: HERE

 

Research and evaluation

Principles and methodologies for research and development - and for service and system evaluation, or 'appraisal'.

(NB: it's here that you will find all the information on the Pizazz and the PIE Abacus, the PIE systems and services audit tools). Go: HERE

'PIEs from the ground up: service design for complex needs'

This is Robin Johnson's summary - in book form - of all that we have learnt, so far.

The most comprehensive account of the art of developing PIEs, fleshed out with multiple examples. "It's like browsing this whole site, but  condensed into a hand-held version...." Go: HERE

101 other issues

A cornucopia of issues in practice, case studies and possible new directions. (There's probably more than 100 pages...)

The PIEs approach is so flexible, the range of services and sectors and ways of working so broad, that after the general introduction, we needed an area where you can browse around freely, following links as you wish.

Go anywhere you wish!

 

Evolution and examples

The ways we understand and describe what it is to be a Psychologically Informed Environment have evolved, in the ten years (+) since it was first suggested; and may well continue to evolve. The most recent version - known as the 'PIEs 2.0' framework (HERE) - was therefore designed to capture and continue this evolution and broadening of the scope of PIEs.

Nonetheless, you will find that not all services use the fuller framework, taking from it only what they need (HERE).

For an indication of the breadth and creativity in theses services, you will find a handy selection of examples (HERE) -  taken from Robin Johnson's book and summary of all we have learned : Psychologically Informed Environments from the ground up: service design for complex needs:  HERE

Tackling more systemic issues

What holds too many services back now is not their own limitations - even severe limits of funding - but the lack of partnership working between services. Yet the more advanced of service, we find, are now more actively engaged in tackling the fragmentation and silo thinking of many services, and in co-producing the more coherent local service eco-systems that are needed.

With the development now a software counterpart to the Pizazz on paper - the PIE Abacus (HERE) - there may now be dramatic potential for tackling more systemic issues. We are keen to keep exploring this further.

Membership

The principal intention behind this website is the wish to facilitate communications between all those working with the more complex psychological and emotional needs, for example of people who are homeless, or otherwise facing social exclusion.

Becoming a member is completely free and allows you full access to all features of the site.

Become a Member

  • Complete access to the library - an extensive and still growing range of related documents and media
  • A welcome from the editor; and an opportunity to talk over what particularly interests you in PIEs
  • Full use of the members directory - find other members (if you and they are happy with sharing your location and/or interests)
  • The ability to create a profile, identify your interests, and where suitable to be put in contact with other members
  • Email notifications of major new developments - now infrequent but still valuable.
  • Subscription to the monthly newsletters (currently paused in the absence of a newsletters editor)

Featured content

The main menu bars across the top of the pages here will introduce readers (and viewers and listeners) to the main features of the PIEs approach in practice, arranged according to the core themes of the PIEs framework.

In the 'Quick links' in the footer - which appear at the foot of every page - you will also find instant access links to a range of subjects and issues that cut across all or many aspects of the framework and the PIEs approach in practice. These links may vary according to current areas of activity that we most need to address.

For those new to the site and to the approach, you will also find there the link to 'START HERE', the page that we recommend for those wanting a more curated path. Similarly, for those that like a book that you can hold in your hands, in the PIE publications pages you will find several useful introductions, including those from the PIElink's founder and original editor, Robin Johnson.

Please note: this site was designed some 10 years ago, and was optimised for the big screen - desktops and tablets - and is less readable on mobile phones. Otherwise.........