Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde Frontline Network: Challenging and defending homelessness decisions training

Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde Frontline Network would like to invite you to our next FREE online learning event, delivered by Shelter. If you would like to attend, please register HERE. 

This webinar spreads over two half day sessions and provides practitioners from local authorities, private practice and the advice sector with details about how to challenge and defend prevention and homelessness decisions. From understanding the basics of judicial review, to detailed appreciation of the review process, how it should be conducted, and how such decisions can be challenged. There will be a focus on inquiries and dealing with medical evidence, as well as the newer duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act.

Attending will help decision makers fulfil their legal obligations to applicants by applying and following the guidance set by the courts and help others to consider how best to deal with and challenge decisions. This training will help to identify potential pitfalls. After attending delegates will be aware of the way that recent caselaw has interpreted aspects of homelessness law and the way that other areas of law, such as the Equality Act, impact on homelessness decision-making.

When: Wednesday 7th Sep, 9:30am-12:30 & Thursday 8th Sep, 9:30-12:30

Where: Online. 2 x 3-hour webinars

Please note that attendance of both sessions will be required to maximise full understanding of this learning opportunity.

Suitable for:

Local authority officers, including homelessness decision-makers, those conducting inquiries and reviewing officers. Advisers from the statutory and voluntary sectors

External contracting organisations assisting with local authority homelessness functions.

Course contains:

Session 1: 7th Sept 9:30am-12:30pm

• Summary of key statutory provisions.
• Decisions that are the subject of the statutory review, and those subject to judicial review.
• Principles and scope of review process.
• Writing the review decision – dos and don’ts.
• Principles and practice of judicial review, with a focus on urgency.
• Gatekeeping.

Session 2: 8th Sept 9:30am-12:30pm

• Conducting the review – procedure.
• Dealing with medical evidence.
• Dealing with the public sector equality duty.
• Contracting out the review.
• Accommodation pending review.

Note that numbers are limited so please book your space here at your earliest opportunity.