Caring for the carers

There is much in the media about the London housing crisis and the need for essential frontline nursing staff. So, one might expect landlords and local authorities to keep this in mind when housing a member of the caring professions.

However, as is often the case, common sense does not always prevail and in 2016 our housing expert Lou Crisfield was called upon to help a trainee nurse who was evicted by her landlord when he wanted his property back.

After applying to her local council, the London Borough of Waltham Forest, she was allocated temporary housing. However, this was outside London and was a substantial distance to her university and placement hospitals. Most significantly it was miles from any childcare support and there were no school places available for her children. She was unable to get to her work placement and while she remained in this accommodation, she had no prospect of completing her course and qualifying as a nurse.

Lou Crisfield brought a county court appeal against the council, arguing the temporary accommodation was wholly unsuitable and the case was settled when our client was moved back to London by the council.

This week we were delighted to learn that, although it had been a struggle with many sleepless nights, she had gone on to complete her studies and had secured a position as a newly qualified nurse near her new home.

Despite her hectic schedule, she took time to write to Lou Crisfield and say:

‘Thank you so much for the effort you made to fight for me during my housing issues. I really appreciate it as you put a smile on my face.’

We are sure she will be a wonderful nurse and wish her well for the future.

The contents of this article are for the purposes of general awareness only. They do not purport to constitute legal or professional advice. The law may have changed since this article was published. Readers should not act on the basis of the information included and should take appropriate professional advice upon their own particular circumstances.