Through real-life case studies, legal insights, and action planning, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the issue and learn how to collaborate across services to protect residents and uphold housing security.

Course Objectives:

• Understand the definitions of cuckooing and the indicators
• Consider the reasons for such behaviours and identify who is most likely to be a victim
• Discuss support options for victims
• Identify which other agencies have a legal duty to assist
• Consider cuckooing as a safeguarding issue and/or a crime
• Learn how to gain access to residents’ homes legally to gather evidence
• Clarify how to share personal and confidential data under the DPA 2018 & common law
• Explore legal options from a housing provider’s perspective
• Examine relevant case law and its applicability to real-life scenarios
• Understand the consequences of not tackling cuckooing effectively
• Develop an action plan for implementation within their organisation.

The course will include:

• Case study discussions
• Group activities and scenario analysis
• Access to resources and legal frameworks
• Templates for action planning.

This course is designed for:

• Housing officers
• Safeguarding leads
• Support workers
• Local authority staff
• Legal professionals working in the housing sector.

Ensure your team is equipped to identify, respond to and prevent cuckooing in your housing stock.

Richard Paris has an MA from Queens’ College, Cambridge and a post-graduate Diploma in Housing from LSE. From 1991-93, he was senior research officer at LSE Housing, and has worked for short-life and supported housing agencies, mainstream housing associations and local authorities. He is a freelance housing law specialist with 20 years’ training and development experience undertaking educational training, consultancy, policy and procedure health checks. He specialises in housing law updates, dealing with anti-social behaviour effectively, preventing and controlling rent arrears, do-it-yourself possession proceedings, the law in supported housing and the law on disrepair and best practice.

If you are unable to attend an event or public training course, please let us know in writing (email is fine) at least 48 hours before. Please email [email protected] Otherwise, a cancellation fee of £60 plus VAT will be chargeable. If you are using a package place to attend and do not inform us within the agreed time frame, then a place will be taken to cover your non-attendance. Cancellations must be made in writing, and will be acknowledged by HQN Limited.