The assignment concentrates on practical elements of a Local Authority environmental health practitioner may encounter when working within private sector housing. The report should focus on a pragmatic and holistic approach to remedy within private sector housing. You should also consider the functions and options under the Housing Act 2004 and how they may assist in fulfilling your duties.
You are tasked to write a report of no more than 3000 words. Your report should consider all the information contained in lectures, information made available through mybeckett and information gathered through personal research.
Your report topic is;
Explain how you would become involved with, take action and address any complaints that you may encounter within private sector housing. What should you consider when improving the health of the occupants?
The assignment will be marked as a percentage and will be assessed on the following criteria:
1. Layout, flow and structure of the report using Harvard referencing. (10 Marks)
2. Effectiveness of your proposals and report conclusions. (60 Marks)
3. Identifying areas for further interventions/research. (10 Marks)
4. Supporting your proposals through effective research (20 Marks)
The report is to be handed in no later than Monday 20th April 2015. Assignment guidance is provided below. Further information on report writing and layout can be obtained from the Skills 4 Learning resources, which can be accessed via the following link. http://skillsforlearning.leedsmet.ac.uk/local/academic_communication/report_writing/03.shtml
All sources should be cited in accordance with the Universities version of Harvard referencing, as detailed in the publication “Quote, Unquote” also available from the Skills for Learning website at http://skillsforlearning.leedsmet.ac.uk/local/research/category_homepage.shtml
Assignment Guidance.
The information provided below should assist you in meeting the assignment criteria. The subject matter within the guidance will have been covered in the lectures. You should refer to the relevant weekly presentations and useful information provided on mybeckett. However, the weekly presentations should not be your sole source of research.
General
The 3 E approach of Education, Encouragement and Enforcement should be considered. Using this approach will give you some context to focus on. You should consider the ‘real life’ approaches to improving private sector housing. You should research how complaints are received and how are they dealt with.What are the duties that are relevant to Local Authorities in respect of this function?
The main legal focus on the assignment is the practical implications of the Housing Act 2004. In the main, the relevant section for dealing with disrepair and defects is part 1 of the Housing Act 2004 and the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).
You may also need to consider any supporting documentation to the Housing Act 2004 and to your 3 E approach. What purpose does this serve?
What equipment, policies and procedures would be relevant to you and why?.
Then think about the purpose and context of any relevant documents and how they would fit in with the “3 E concept”.
Education – How can you educate people into change? What are the benefits if you do?
Encouragement – If education alone is not enough, how do you then encourage the people to change? What are the benefits if you do?
Enforcement – Why do you need enforcement?Are there any benefits?
Overall
Your report topicshould be robust, pragmatic and above all displayed in written form that indicates that you understand it. You should make independent conclusion based upon your research, opinions and arguments.
You may also have to conceptualise this by further research. Ensure that your assignment is correctly referenced
