Implementing psychological formulation into complex needs homeless hostels to develop a psychologically informed environment

ABSTRACT

This study explored the implementation of psychological team formulation in two single-gender hostels for homeless individuals experiencing multiple complex needs. Nine hostel staff took part in two semi-structured interviews, before and after attending up to eight formulation meetings. Thematic analysis identified that staff perceived team formulation to increase their understanding of service users, led to some developments within the team, and encouraged staff to take a different approach to their work, perceiving themselves and service users more positively; however, the usefulness of formulation was restricted by the systemic limitations. Results suggest team formulation has notable benefits for staff in hostels supporting individuals with multiple complex needs.

KEYWORDS:

• Hostels
• staff
• psychological formulation meetings
• qualitative
• thematic analysis
• psychologically informed environments‌

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sophie Buckley

Sophie Buckley conducted this research as part of her MSc Psychology in Clinical Practice degree at Nottingham Trent University. She spent six months on placement at Framework Housing Association working in hostels catering for homeless individuals with multiple complex needs. Sophie has since started as a trainee Clinical Psychologist on the Trent Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.

Anna Tickle

Anna Tickle is a Clinical Psychologist, working part time in clinical practice and part time on the Trent Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. She is currently on a two year secondment to Framework and Opportunity Nottingham to promote the development of psychologically-informed homelessness services. Anna is interested in the use of psychological theory and practice to promote change for individuals with complex needs and those supporting them. She conducts and supervises research to promote the development of practice-based evidence in a range of services.

Sarah McDonald

Sarah McDonald is a lecturer in Psychology at Nottingham Trent University. She is a registered Clinical Psychologist and worked for a number of years in adult mental health in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Her main interests are in eating disorders, how new practices and policies are implemented in mental health services, and staff and service user experiences in mental health services.