Local Authority housing services, and their staff, have a legal duty under the Human Right Act to protect, respect and fulfil your human rights.
Beth recently left her abusive partner and is currently homeless. She has been working with a social worker, Karen, to try to get accommodation. The housing team is refusing to rehouse Beth. Beth is starting to think that her only option is return to living with her ex-partner.
Karen attends a BIHR training session and realises she can use a human rights approach. Rather than relying on what was “fair” or “appropriate” or trying to find policy loopholes Karen was able to talk about how not providing safe accommodation could breach Beth’s right to be free from inhuman and degrading treatment due to the risk of further abuse from her ex-partner if she returned home.
The housing team looked again at their decision and decided to rehouse Beth.
This real-life story was shared with BHR by the social worker involved.