Learning about research from Sweden

The People’s Project and Work Counts, as part of the Wise Group, recently hosted a special guest from Sweden: Kristina Carlsson Stylianides, a doctoral student at Lund University’s School of Social Work. Her academic interests focus on social vulnerability and inequality. As part of her research, Kristina has been investigating Housing First (HF) and Individual Placement and Support (IPS) in various municipalities in Sweden. These are evidence-based practices used by Wise Group entities LinkPeople, The People’s Project (TPP) and Workwise when delivering services.

As well as visiting the Wise Group offices in Hamilton, Kristina gave a seminar at Harakeke House, Manukau.

Hosted by Work Counts, the seminar was called “Implementing IPS and Housing First in Sweden: What We Learnt.” She talked about barriers that create inequity there, and about the concept of de-implementation; removing existing or outdated ways of working that undermine the introduction of new approaches.

In one example, she described how local-government social workers assessed prospective tenants using landlords’ criteria for “suitability.” So, while staff supported some people experiencing homelessness into housing, they were excluding those who didn’t fit landlords’ criteria. These were often the most vulnerable people.

Kristina aims to develop theoretical tools and practical insights to transform approaches to social and mental health work. On her trip to Aotearoa, Kristina wanted to learn how IPS and HF are applied here.

Kristina said she was most impressed at the person-centred approach followed by services she observed in Aotearoa, compared to a more rigid system in Sweden with assessments that can objectify people.

Following the presentation, Warren Elwin, Chief Executive of Work Counts thanked Kristina, saying “Today’s talk has given impetus for us to be braver and stronger about the importance of research, and talking about the evidence with people who commission services and who structure policy as we move forward”.

Our thanks to The People’s Project for their support with this story.