FAQ

RESET Treatment Services include

• Advice and information for people who use drugs and/or alcohol and concerned others
• Community alcohol detoxification
• Assessment for residential detoxification and rehabilitation services
• Healthcare assessments
• Access to needle exchange service and harm reduction advice
• Testing for HIV, Hepatitis B, C. and Hepatitis B vaccination
• Counselling and 1:1 key working sessions
• Support for clients experiencing domestic violence
• Onward referral to further support services as required
• Signposting and access to mutual aid groups such as AA, NA and Smart Recovery.

Any adult living in Tower Hamlets that needs support with their drug or alcohol use can self-refer to RESET by calling 020 3889 9510 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or in person at one of their sites.

Make a professional or self-referral online.

What we are doing

The council has a duty under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (“the HSWA”) to take such steps that are reasonably practicable to ensure a safe working environment for its staff. We are also legally required under Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) to record and report incidents of work-related violence.

To meet this duty, we maintain a register of serious incidents (and therefore individuals) who do, or may, pose a serious risk to staff or contractors. This is referred to as the Customer of Concern Register (CoCR). This Register is managed by the Corporate Health and Safety Team.

We are committed to making sure that personal information we process is secure. We have put in place suitable:

• physical,
• electronic and
• managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect.

Personal information collected

• name
• address and contact details
• notes and other information we get directly from you about actual or potential violent behaviour. For example, we may make a note of the words you said if you threatened a member of staff
• notes and information we get from any council department or third parties about actual or potential violent behaviour
• photographs or images recorded by our CCTV systems

 How we collect this information

• from the person/people you may have been violent or aggressive towards
• council employees who have completed an incident report form
• other sources we may receive information about you from, e.g. other organisation, agencies or service providers
• we may receive information about you for a legal reason

 Who we share data with

• Council staff who look after the CoCR.
• staff who are working with you, or have a need to contact/visit you, will have access to the data on the CoCR. Access is controlled and limited to those who need the information in order to carry out their duties safely.
•  We may also share your information with other agencies, organisations and contractors that may come into direct contact with you. We do this to assess the risks to their employees as part of their work.
• We also have a duty to pass information to third party organisations, such as the Police, if there has been a crime committed.

 Legislation that applies

• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
• Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013

Retention periods

 Each person added to the register will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. All entries will be reviewed yearly to ensure their accuracy.

If there is no longer a risk of violence, the entry will be removed from the register.

There is a duty for all English and Welsh councils to provide a scrutiny function under Local Government Act (2000) and Localism Act (2011) where there is an elected Executive Mayor and Cabinet Structure. Whilst scrutiny is not a decision-making body, it does have the authority to act as a ‘critical friend’ and provide a robust checks and balance function.

In 2019, the UK Government published and set out statutory guidance for overview and scrutiny function due to its importance to the successful functioning of local democracy.

To fulfil and support its role, councillors and co-optees on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee can and will:

• Hold the executive to account through scrutinising the council’s performance and key decisions affecting residents and the wider community
• Monitor Cabinet decisions to ensure they are robust and good value for money, particularly through budget scrutiny
• Work together as an independent group to raise issues, pre-decision scrutiny questions and consider decisions that are call-ins
• Request elected Mayor and Cabinet Member to attend the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and explain their decisions, council plans and performance
• Request the executive to submit a report to Full Council if it feels that a key decision has been taken without being published in advance.

1. If I moved from an overcrowded property before 30 November 2023, can I apply for a permit? No - because these changes took effect from the date that cabinet approved them.

2. My previous application was rejected before 30 November 2023, can I apply again if I meet the new criteria? No - because these changes took effect from the date that cabinet approved them.

3. I was issued with a permit under the old scheme, but my permit was cancelled or expired on or after 30 November 2023, can I apply for a new permit? Yes - but when you do apply for a new permit you must provide the proofs as stated on the resident permit webpage.

4. Do I need to have held a permit prior to moving to a car free property? No - as the qualifying period has been removed.

5. Is there a time limit to apply for a permit after moving? No - but when you do apply for a permit you must provide the proofs as stated on the resident permit webpage.

6. If I move from a private rented property to a larger social rented car free property, can I apply for a permit under the PTS? Yes - as you are no longer required to have moved from a social-to-social rented property.

7. Does the applicant have to be named on the tenancy agreement? No - but you must provide a letter from the Council or Housing Association to confirm that the property is your main or principal home.

8. If I move to a car free property with the same number of bedrooms, can I apply for a permit under the PTS? No

9. I am living in temporary accommodation and Tower Hamlets Council have accepted a full homeless duty. I have received a permanent offer at a car free property, which has more bedrooms than our temporary accommodation, do we qualify under the PTS? Yes, but when you do apply for a permit you must provide the proofs as stated on the resident permit webpage.

10. If I do a mutual exchange from a social-to-social rented property with less or more bedrooms, can I apply for a permit under the PTS? Yes - providing that you are living in an overcrowded or under-occupied property. 

11. Does this scheme apply to a property owner or shared ownership? No - as the scheme is only available for residents moving into social housing.