EMPLOYEES at a housing company have been upskilled to provide a vital service to residents.

More members of Tees Valley Housing’s supported housing team have been being trained as mediators to benefit their residents, as well as residents of Erimus Housing, Tees Valley’s partner in Fabrick Housing Group.

The move means a 16-strong team of staff is trained to deliver mediation, covering issues such as neighbour disputes and anti-social behaviour complaints, alongside their main role within the company.

The service has been fully moved in-house rather than Erimus Housing outsourcing its arbitration service as Tees Valley Housing had the ability to expand on its expertise in this area.

More people are also trained to deal with situations requiring negotiation across each local authority area the companies operate in, adding to the coverage, as well as people’s skills.

Helen Neal, Head of Supported Housing for Tees Valley Housing, said: “Mediation is vital in many circumstances and our service has already shown its effectiveness.

“If there is potential to grow, we would even expand and offer the service further afield.”

During the first three months of operation, 11 families were referred to the service and were dealt with promptly within the agreed timescales.

Engagement with the service can help prevent homelessness by families’ willingness to resolve conflict early on.
 

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