Places for People seeks a little respect

Places for People sign up to Government's 'Respect Standard for Housing Management', as part of its ongoing drive to stamp out antisocial behaviour.

Group pioneering use of restorative conferences in housing sector.

Places for People - one of the UK's largest property management and development groups - has signed up to the Government's 'Respect Standard for Housing Management', as part of its ongoing drive to stamp out antisocial behaviour.

The standard will enable the Group to continue tackling antisocial behavour efficienctly and effectively and further improve its 130,000 customers' lives.

It outlines steps to tackle anti-social behaviour and build stronger communities such as accountability, leadership, giving greater resident empowerment, and supporting community efforts at tackling anti-social behaviour.

Places for People has spent the last year ensuring it had the framework in place within the Group that would enable it to successfully adhere to the requirements set out in the standard before signing up to it.

David Cowans, Chief Executive of Places for People said: "Places for People has a zero tolerance approach to antisocial behaviour and any actions that have a negative impact on its customers' lives".

"We have taken this step very carefully and before signing up to the Respect standard we wanted to make sure we were ready to do so and that this was not just a paper exercise".

"Signing up to this standard will help us to work with our customers to create safer, more prosperous and sustainable neighbourhoods, where people want to live and work." The Group has a proven track record in working closely with a range of organisations to tackle antisocial behaviour.

It has led the housing sector by pioneering 'Restorative Justice' conferences that aim to resolve disputes between neighbours and tackle unruly behaviour.

Twelve conferences have took place bringing opposing parties together so they can communicate in a controlled environment and understand how their behaviour impacts on their neighbours, enabling them hopefully to agree how the damage can be repaired.

The conference had a dramatic effect on Clive Baccus who moved into a home fourteen years ago in Quartercroft, Northampton.

His life had been blighted by neighbours playing loud music into the early hours of morning and unruly behaviour that led to a six-month dispute that would split the local community".

""The loud music and unruly behaviour made my life a living hell".

"It would go on for hours and hours, and had a massive detrimental impact on the quality of my life," says Clive.

After having the chance to air their views in a controlled setting, the residents at Quartercroft agreed upon a 'peace settlement' which ensured other people could live in a quieter environment.

So far the peace agreement is holding firm.

John Stevenson, head of antisocial behaviour at Places for People says that restorative conferences provide major benefits in tackling antisocial behaviour and problems arising from feuding neighbours".

""The conferences we are piloting have had a positive impact on people, enabling them to have a better understanding of the impact of their actions, and can provide a mutually agreed solution to move forward and restore positive community relations - without recourse to legal action".

Mr Baccus says that the conference has reduced the tension in the neighbourhood".

""Things are better now".

"By working together we have found a solution and the community spirit at Quartercroft has increased dramatically.".

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