Through practical examples, case study discussion and legal insight, this course explores cuckooing as both a safeguarding concern and a criminal exploitation issue. Delegates will consider how to recognise patterns of coercion, protect residents who may be frightened or unable to disclose what is happening, and work with police, adult social care and other agencies to reduce harm.

What will delegates learn?

By the end of this course, delegates will be able to:

• Understand what cuckooing is and how it affects residents, homes and communities
• Identify the warning signs that a property may have been taken over or controlled by others
• Recognise which residents may be more vulnerable to targeting, coercion or exploitation
• Understand the new standalone cuckooing offence under the Crime and Policing Act 2026
• Assess cuckooing as a safeguarding, tenancy management, anti-social behaviour and criminal justice issue
• Gather and record evidence effectively while protecting the resident’s safety and wellbeing
• Apply appropriate information sharing principles under the Data Protection Act 2018 and common law
• Work more confidently with police, adult social care, community safety partners and support agencies
• Consider housing management and legal options, including access, injunctions, closure powers and possession where appropriate
• Develop a practical action plan for improving their organisation’s response to cuckooing.

This course will cover

• The definition of cuckooing and how home takeover typically occurs
• The link between cuckooing, county lines, organised crime, exploitation and anti-social behaviour
• The new legal position following the Crime and Policing Act 2026
• How the new offence may affect housing providers, safeguarding practice and partnership working
• Common indicators, including changes in visitors, behaviour, property condition, rent issues and resident contact
• Why victims may not report cuckooing, including fear, coercion, dependency, isolation and mistrust of services
• The importance of trauma-informed and victim-centred approaches
• Safeguarding adults, care and support needs, mental capacity and referral pathways
• The role of housing teams in identifying risk and escalating concerns
• Lawful access to residents’ homes and practical evidence gathering
• Information sharing, confidentiality and data protection considerations
• Working with police, local authorities, social care, substance misuse services and community safety teams
• Legal and housing management remedies available to landlords
• Case law, real-life scenarios and practical decision making
• The risks of failing to act, including harm to residents, neighbourhood impact and regulatory scrutiny
• Action planning to strengthen internal procedures, staff confidence and multi-agency response.

Who should attend?

This course is suitable for social housing professionals and partner agencies involved in tenancy management, safeguarding, enforcement, resident support and community safety, including:

• Housing officers and neighbourhood officers
• Tenancy management teams
• Safeguarding leads and safeguarding practitioners
• Anti-social behaviour and community safety teams
• Supported housing and specialist housing staff
• Scheme managers and support workers
• Income, lettings and tenancy sustainment teams
• Local authority housing and adult social care staff
• Legal teams working with social landlords
• Police, community safety and partner agencies working with vulnerable residents.

Humera Raja is a qualified solicitor who completed her LLB and Legal Practice Course (LPC) before qualifying in 2012. She has over seven years of legal practice experience as a defendant legal costs solicitor, negotiator and advocate, representing both government and private sector clients. Her work has included clinical negligence litigation, dispute resolution, advocacy and case management.

Since joining the University of Law as a Lecturer in 2020, Humera has developed a successful career in higher education. She completed her Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE) in 2023, became a Fellow of Advance HE in 2024, and was appointed Senior Lecturer in 2026.

Drawing on her combined expertise in law, housing-related matters, advocacy and education, Humera delivers engaging, practical and interactive training. Her learner-centred approach encourages discussion, reflection and the application of learning to real workplace situations, ensuring delegates leave with practical tools they can implement immediately.

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.