What is it with governments and their agencies faced with a need to learn as they go? Even when they come right out and pledge to do so, they seem remarkably resistant to the idea that parts or all of a particular program are poorly conceived, wasteful, discriminatory or even deadly.
A recent example is the introduction of Universal Credit in the UK, which is designed to consolidate six individual social assistance plans into a single, streamlined package. ‘We’ll test it and learn,’ the government proudly proclaimed. In reality, they were completely resistant to changing aspects of their program design, some of which threatened clients who received Universal Credit with eviction. Read more here: Court Trashes UK Universal Credit Testing That Refused To Learn
Social housing residents seem particularly vulnerable to government procedures that may well suit program management practices, accounting principles and political directives but not necessarily the needs of tenants. That has led to calls for independent agents or agencies that can investigate conflicts and help resolve them. Ombudsmen are often seen as unbiased adjudicators as well as hopefully when necessary, agents of change.1
The Isle of Man has taken another route that is unique to the United Kingdom: The Isle of Man Safeguarding Board is charged with protecting the interests of both children and adults.
Can such a safeguarding board make a difference? It recently convened to consider the death of a social housing resident who was evicted for not paying his rental arrears of £300, and dying a a short while later. For more on the eviction and its link to the tenant’s death through The Isle of Man Safeguarding Board’s findings, read more at 3FM: Lessons To Be Learned’ After ‘Tragic Case Of Mr H’
