Applying Systems Consultation to Community and Mental Health Organizations

Applying Systems Consultation to Community and Mental Health Organizations

Introduction

The report is based on the analysis of the case study of chapter five of Casebook of Psychological Consultation and Collaboration in School and Community Settings. The main theme of the case is based on the system consultation: working with a metropolitan police department (Dougherty 2008).

Answer 01: Barriers

Many property owners suggested that the law was ambiguous and was difficult for the public and the police to understand. Some property owners suggested that even where an offence such as criminal damage or the unlawful abstraction had been committed, the police were doubtful about whether they could go into the property to make an arrest. Others recognised that the police might have a difficult job in proving which individuals had committed the offences in question if there were several squatters in the property (Kirmayer et,al 2003). Many thought that the creation of a new offence would help to overcome such ambiguities. The Metropolitan Police acknowledged that additional guidance for investigating officers might be beneficial: The MPS also recognise that the lack of training and practical knowledge regarding the law regarding squatting, particularly section 7, may be a barrier to effective enforcement. Improved training, including greater awareness of the damaging impact of squatting, is part of ongoing work.

The Crown Prosecution Service described the difficulties in gathering enough evidence to prosecute for existing offences: It can be difficult to prove that those occupying the premises in question were the same people responsible for causing damage to gain entry. There is no way for owners to assess whether or not damage has been caused until entry is gained which may not be until the squatters have left and as such there may be insufficient information for the police to have a reasonable suspicion that an offence has been committed (criminal damage or theft for example) and therefore there is no way for the police arresting the individuals therein (Bloor & Pearson 2004).

Answer 02: Consultant talking

The Metropolitan Police, responding on behalf of the Association of Chief Police Officers, considered that the law was broadly in the right place and that the existing array of offences allowed them to tackle the worst cases of squatting (e.g. where squatters cause the rightful homeowner to be displaced). If changes were made to legislation, however, they could see that there might be a case for widening existing offences to ensure that residential properties which are not currently under occupation are protected by any new offence, for example homes under renovation or second properties (Badger, Gelenberg & Berren 2004). They warned that new offences could have an impact on policing in terms of community relations, local policing objectives and cost. They pointed out that many of the known squats in the London boroughs were occupied by foreign nationals and significant work would need to be undertaken with the communities affected, local councils and related third sector organisations, to ensure that enforcement ...