The DCLG/NMHDU guidance case studies

The DCLG/NMHDU guidance case studies

In 2010, the UK Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG, currently  renamed as MHDCLG) issued guidance, jointly with the National Mental Health Development Unit (NMHDU), on meeting the psychological and emotional needs of people who are homeless.

Some times known, at the time, as the 'complex trauma' guidance, as it stressed trhe high prevalence of 'complex trauma' to be found in the populationd, this guidance was the first government document to use the phrase 'a psychologically informed environment' (taking it from a journal article to be published only later that same year) .

The account it gave of psychologically informed work was illustrated with many case studies; and these we include here. They cover a very wide range; and for a comprehensive 'editorial' introduction, it is best to read the original guidance.

 

'Psychologically informed services' : the 'operational guidance'

In 2012, this first guidance was followed by more detailed 'operational guidance', which also cited numerous practice examples.

 

Further background reading, listening and viewing

Case studies from the 2020 guidance

All from:  'Non-statutory guidance on meeting the psychological and emotional needs of people who are homeless', full report, published by DCLG/NMHDU, (2010) HERE

  • 38 Bentinck Road - young people HERE
  • Brighton & Hove Behaviour Support and 'mortarnet' - HERE
  • Bristol & Novas Scarman's training package for housing staff - HERE
  • Candi - the personality disorder in primary care service HERE
  • DePaul's High support services - complex needs - HERE
  • Framework's staff capacity building and training HERE
  • Holloway Skills and Therapy - women in prison - HERE
  • Home Base - ex-services peer support - HERE

 

Case studies from the 2012 guidance

All from : 'Psychologically informed services : operational guidance'  (2012): HERE

  • Kids Co as wraparound HERE
  • Lancaster Street, Birmingham - complex needs -  HERE
  • Leeds NHS' NFA centre HERE
  • Lifeworks at St Mungos - staff development - HERE
  • NHS Bedfordshire's Listening project - public health - HERE
  • Second Step's complex needs services - HERE
  • St George’s Crypt, Leeds - elastic tolerance - HERE
  • The Zone, Plymouth - co-location and user-led integration - HERE
  • UCLH - hospital in-reach - HERE