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

Welcome to the PIELink

This website is the online home of a constantly growing community of practice. Our aim here is to connect people involved with addressing the psychological and emotional issues that go with homelessness, and particularly in the development of 'Psychologically Informed Environments' - PIEs. 

In these pages you will find a wide selection of useful items, ranging from published papers and official guidance, to specially produced video content - all for the purpose of sharing practice, research, thoughts and opinions.

The basic idea of a Psychologically Informed Environment has evolved, in the ten years (+) since it was first suggested; and it may well continue to evolve. The most recent version - known as 'PIEs 2.0' - was designed to capture the evolution of the scope of PIEs; and the Pizazz assessment and service development process aims to encourage evolution within services (rather than adherence to any single 'PIEs model').

But we do know, pretty much, how to improve services from within. With the development now a software counterpart to the Pizazz on paper - the PIE Abacus - there may now be dramatic, though still exploratory, potential for tackling more systemic issues.

The full video above on 'Learning and enquiry - the cycles of practice-based learning' is :  HERE

For more on this process of constant evolution and 'development in dialogue', see  'Is the PIE evolving? :  HERE

For the PIElink members' on-line working parties currently running or proposed, see the 'Forums' : HERE

For more information on the PIE Abacus, see : 'Pizazz and the PIE Abacus' : HERE

For those 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'.  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 - let's talk.

The ambition here has always been to provide not just a resource library, but a meeting place for a community of practice. Go: 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!

 

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.........