What are the main issues faced by Peter?

Assignment Brief

AS1- Case study

SWK3023 Case Study-Peter

Peter is a 53 year old man who had been rough sleeping for well over ten years. He was a wanderer who moved around London and had no connection to any borough. Many outreach teams had tried to work with him but he was insistent that he wanted no help or support and was happy as he was.

He was a prolific shoplifter with a record of 57 prison stays, the main reason behind this being his addiction to crack, heroin and alcohol.

Due to his time on the streets and his substance use he was also very physically unwell, but refused offers of treatment. For most of his time on the streets he did not have a benefit claim running and relied on handouts and the proceeds from his shoplifting to supply all his needs.

Outreach teams persistently offered him support and, one morning, after a particularly cold night, he finally agreed to use a severe weather emergency bed. This began a line of communication and relationship building that led to him making a successful benefits claim and being housed in Arlington House in April 2014.

Due to his long time on the streets Peter found it very hard to settle and just two weeks after he moved in to the hostel he was evicted for threatening behaviour. However he had managed to access support around his drug use, was on a methadone prescription for the first time and had stopped using drugs. His alcohol consumption had increased however and was a contributing factor in his deteriorating behaviour.

He returned to a hostel, after a short spell on the street, this time Endsleigh Garden. He lasted three months before again being evicted, this time for violence.

Questions for report:

• What are the main issues faced by Peter?

• How would you prioritise them?

• What options does Peter have regarding his homeless status?

• Outline the policy and legislation that you would refer to when giving advice to Peter.

• What capacity does Peter have to make decisions about himself?

• If you could, what approach would you take to supporting Peter and people in his situation?

Sample Answer

Supporting Peter: A Social Work Case Study

Introduction

Homelessness in the UK is a complex and deeply entrenched social issue that often involves the interplay of addiction, mental health problems, poverty, and social exclusion. This case study explores the challenges faced by Peter, a 53-year-old man who has experienced chronic rough sleeping and substance dependence for over a decade. By analysing his circumstances through the lens of social work theory, legislation, and ethical practice, this report aims to identify the main issues Peter faces, prioritise his needs, examine the policy context of his situation, assess his decision-making capacity, and outline a professional approach to supporting him.

Main Issues Faced by Peter

Peter’s situation presents a range of interrelated issues. The most immediate concern is his long-term homelessness, which has left him without stability, safety, or access to consistent healthcare. Rough sleeping for over ten years has almost certainly contributed to his deteriorating physical health and social isolation. Research by Crisis (2023) indicates that prolonged homelessness severely impacts life expectancy, often leading to chronic illness, malnutrition, and early death.

His long-term addiction to crack cocaine, heroin, and alcohol is another critical factor. Substance misuse has not only damaged his physical and mental health but also driven his offending behaviour, as evidenced by his record of 57 prison sentences for shoplifting. These patterns of offending and imprisonment demonstrate a cycle of marginalisation where addiction, crime, and homelessness reinforce one another (Neale, 2001).

Peter’s history also shows symptoms of institutionalisation and trauma. After being housed in 2014, he was unable to adapt to structured living, resulting in eviction for threatening behaviour. This reflects a deeper psychological issue common among long-term rough sleepers who struggle with trust, authority, and social norms after years of independence on the streets (Fitzpatrick et al., 2019). Moreover, his aggression and alcohol misuse suggest possible dual diagnosis, where substance abuse coexists with an untreated mental health condition.

Prioritising Peter’s Needs

In social work, prioritisation must balance immediate safety with long-term recovery. For Peter, the most urgent concern is his health and safety. His physical illness, substance dependence, and unstable accommodation place him at risk of serious harm or premature death. Immediate referral to healthcare and addiction services would therefore take priority, ideally through a multidisciplinary team involving general practitioners, substance misuse specialists, and mental health practitioners.

Secondly, addressing his housing stability is essential. Although he has previously been evicted, a more supportive and less institutional housing environment, such as a harm-reduction or Housing First model, could improve his chances of maintaining accommodation. The Housing First approach provides stable housing as a foundation for recovery, rather than making sobriety a precondition (Tsemberis, 2010).

Finally, Peter’s psychological wellbeing and behavioural challenges require consistent therapeutic intervention. Support around anger management, trauma recovery, and social reintegration should accompany addiction treatment, as his aggression and mistrust appear to stem from years of street life and institutional experiences.

Options Regarding Homeless Status

Peter’s long-term homelessness and transient lifestyle across boroughs complicate his entitlement to housing assistance. However, under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, local authorities have a statutory duty to prevent and relieve homelessness, regardless of local connection, particularly for individuals who are vulnerable due to factors such as physical illness, substance misuse, or a history of rough sleeping. Given Peter’s circumstances, he would likely qualify as having a “priority need” under the Housing Act 1996 (Part VII) due to his vulnerability arising from long-term street homelessness and health issues.

If Peter continues to struggle in hostel environments, alternative housing solutions should be explored. Supported accommodation or Housing First schemes could provide him with a less restrictive, more person-centred environment where tenancy support workers are trained to manage complex needs. These services focus on stability, harm reduction, and building trust, which are critical for individuals like Peter who have previously resisted help.

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