Psychologically informed services: a counsellor's response

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to offer a commentary on Psychologically Informed Services: A Good Practice Guide, a recently published operational guidance document on developing psychologically informed environments (PIEs) in services for homeless people.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is an invited opinion piece and comment based on the specialist experience and viewpoint of the author as lead counsellor in an inner‐city homelessness service.

Findings

The new operational guidance is welcomed as it describes the author's experience of working with individuals with complex needs. Nevertheless, the author is concerned that this development should be seen and presented as supporting staff, rather than as indicating their failings.

Originality/value

Fundamental to the successful implementation of PIEs will be the adoption of the concept by management teams, as it may require changes to current service policies and training of staff at all levels in an organisation.

Citation

Conolly, J. (2012), "Psychologically informed services: a counsellor's response", Housing, Care and Support, Vol. 15 No. 2, pp. 86-87. https://doi.org/10.1108/14608791211254225