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Implementing psychologically informed environments in homelessness services: a qualitative exploration of staff teams’ self-assessments

Sophie Buckley (Framework Housing Association and Trent DClinPsy, Division of Psychiatry and Applied Psychology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK)
Anna Tickle (Framework Housing Association and Trent DClinPsy, Division of Psychiatry and Applied Psychology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK)

Housing, Care and Support

ISSN: 1460-8790

Article publication date: 7 March 2023

Issue publication date: 30 March 2023

260

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore the perceptions of staff in four teams regarding the implementation of psychologically informed environments (PIE) across a community service and three hostels supporting individuals facing severe and multiple disadvantage.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a pre-post design, the PIEs Assessment and Self-Development for Services (known as the Pizazz) was completed by staff before the implementation of PIEs and at a six-month follow-up. A narrative review of the results and thematic analysis of the qualitative data are presented.

Findings

The majority of the Pizazz elements were rated as improved following PIE implementation. Thematic analysis developed three themes influencing staff members’ ability to develop a PIE: Complexities of Our and Wider Systems; Ready-made or Baked from Scratch; and Reflective and Responsive Staff.

Research limitations/implications

A planned one-year follow-up was obstructed by the coronavirus pandemic, limiting understanding of longer-term impact. Having only gathered data from staff members, the results cannot corroborate staff members’ perceptions. Further research could explore other stakeholder perspectives, as well as the impact of PIE implementation on staff perception of resources, and of a possible ceiling effect for hostels trying to develop PIE.

Originality/value

To the authors’ best of knowledge, this is the first UK study to use the Pizazz to evaluate the implementation of PIE.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the host organisation for supporting this evaluation and the staff members who took time to participate. The report of the evaluation was largely completed as part of the first author's Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, funded by Health Education England.

Citation

Buckley, S. and Tickle, A. (2023), "Implementing psychologically informed environments in homelessness services: a qualitative exploration of staff teams’ self-assessments", Housing, Care and Support, Vol. 26 No. 1, pp. 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1108/HCS-09-2021-0026

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited

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