We are pleased to announce details of our final Masterclass of 2025.
The session will explore the topic of vulnerability. The homelessness legislation of England allows local housing authorities to refuse assistance to certain groups, including those who are not considered vulnerable in the housing context. The test applied by local housing authority officers when deciding whether or not a person is vulnerable is extremely complex, open to subjective interpretation and frequently misapplied, with resulting devastating effects on the individual applicant. This session aims to give attendees:
- An understanding of when the interim duty to accommodate applies when there is reason to believe that an applicant may be vulnerable;
- An understanding of the vulnerability test itself, with reference to the case-law from which it is derived;
- An understanding of the inquiries local authorities make before reaching decisions as to an applicant’s vulnerability;
- How clinicians and other NHS staff can cooperate with the inquiry process to get the best possible outcome for their clients;
- How clinicians and other NHS staff can support their clients to challenge negative homeless decisions;
We are delighted to be joined by Kristine Ross as the expert speaker for this Masterclass. Kristine has worked in the statutory homelessness sector in England for over 25 years. She holds an MSc in housing policy and a graduate diploma in law. She is a freelance trainer in all aspects of the homelessness legislation and practice. Kristine also keeps a small case load of Housing Act 1996 s202 reviews on behalf of a number of local authorities, provides casework support to internal reviewing officers as well as an advice service to local housing authorities on case management.