Trigger warning: this session includes detailed personal testimony of domestic abuse and coercive control.

What do you do when you can't reach for your phone? When someone has taken it, or when reaching for it would put you in more danger than staying silent?

That was the question Katy Longhurst asked herself. Not as a thought experiment — but living through years of coercive control, surveillance, stalking, and violence at the hands of an ex-partner who had the training, the resources, and the determination to make sure no one could help her.

Her panic alarm was eventually disconnected. The police logged 169 separate incidents, each handled in isolation, none of them connecting the full picture.

So she built something herself. Using her background in smart buildings and IoT, she created AskJoan — a cloud-based system that detects unusual power surges from everyday household appliances.

In this conversation, Katy joins Matt Baird at the Social Housing Round Table to share her full story — and to explore what it means for the housing sector, for local authorities, and for the thousands of people living in social housing who may be experiencing domestic abuse right now without anyone knowing.

This session covers:

Also joining the conversation: Evie, Domestic Abuse and Exploitation Research Associate at AskJoan, and Lucy Burton, Business Development and DA Specialist at Viviplu.

A candid, important, and at times deeply affecting discussion.

If you'd like to learn more about AskJoan or enquire about the 50 free pilot licenses currently available, contact the team via LinkedIn or email [email protected]

Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.

In this Social Housing Round Table session, hosted by Matt Baird, we were joined by Hayley Gillard, CEO of Compassionate Leaders, to explore a critical question for the sector: is there a management capability gap that housing boards are not talking about?

The conversation examined the growing pressure on leaders across housing organisations, the expectations placed on middle and senior management, and the risks that emerge when capability, support and development do not keep pace with complexity.

Hayley shared insight into leadership behaviours, organisational culture and the importance of creating environments where managers are equipped to lead effectively, not just deliver operationally. The session challenged boards and senior leaders to consider where capability gaps may exist and what can be done to address them.

A thought-provoking discussion for anyone involved in leadership, governance or organisational development within social housing.

Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.

In this Social Housing Round Table session, hosted by Matt Baird, we were joined by Dr Eve Blezard from the Chartered Institute of Housing to explore whether the Decent Homes Standard can act as a meaningful framework for healthier homes.

The discussion brought together more than 90 people across the sector to consider what “decent” really means in practice and how standards can evolve to better support resident health and wellbeing. Dr Blezard shared insight into the challenges around communication, individual needs and interpretation of the standard, while also highlighting the importance of collaboration across the sector.

The conversation also examined the role of housing providers, policymakers and partners in reducing waste, improving outcomes and ensuring that the next phase of the Decent Homes Standard genuinely supports healthier living environments for residents.

Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.

In this Social Housing Round Table session, hosted by Elaine Middleton, we were joined by Elena Boyle from EVMB Consulting Ltd to explore a crucial question for the sector: are we focusing on complaint resolution, or on complaint culture?

The discussion looked beyond process and timescales to examine how organisational culture shapes the way complaints are received, investigated and learned from. Elena shared insight into the difference between simply closing cases and genuinely resolving issues, and challenged providers to consider whether their systems support openness, accountability and learning.

This session offers valuable reflection for anyone involved in complaints handling, governance or leadership within social housing.

Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.

In this Social Housing Round Table session, hosted by Elaine Middleton, we were joined by Mags Pearson, Senior Consultant at DTP, to explore what providers need to be doing now in response to STAIRs.

The conversation focused on the Social Tenants Access to Information Requirements and what they mean in practice for landlords. Mags provided clear insight into regulatory expectations, the importance of transparency, and the systems and cultural shifts required to meet the new requirements effectively.

The session examined what good preparation looks like, how organisations can move beyond compliance towards genuine openness, and why getting ahead of the curve now will matter in the months ahead.

A practical and timely discussion for housing professionals responsible for governance, compliance and tenant engagement.

Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.

In this Social Housing Round Table session, hosted by Elaine Middleton, we were joined by Tom O'Leary from Thanet District Council to explore how a person-centred approach led to a reduction in rent arrears of over 50%.

Tom shared practical insight into the changes made at Thanet, focusing on shifting conversations with residents, understanding individual circumstances, and moving away from purely transactional or enforcement-led approaches. The discussion highlighted how trust, consistency and early intervention can transform outcomes for both residents and landlords.

This session offers valuable learning for housing professionals interested in tackling rent arrears in a way that is effective, sustainable and rooted in people rather than process alone.

Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.

In this Social Housing Round Table session, hosted by Elaine Middleton, we were joined by Paul Berney from TSA to discuss how landlords and providers can prepare for the UK’s digital switchover.

The conversation explored what the switchover means in practice, the risks of inaction, and the potential impact on residents who rely on technology-enabled care and telecare services. Paul shared clear insight into timelines, responsibilities and the importance of planning early, while emphasising the need to keep residents at the centre of decision-making.

This session is essential viewing for housing professionals who want to understand their role in the digital switchover, reduce risk and ensure residents remain safe, supported and informed.

Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.

In this Social Housing Round Table session, hosted by Elaine Middleton, we were joined by Jan Taranczuk and Chloe Gallagher for an important discussion on why a person-centred approach to fire safety matters.

The conversation explored how fire safety extends beyond compliance and process, focusing instead on people, behaviour and lived experience. Jan and Chloe highlighted the risks of one-size-fits-all approaches and discussed how understanding residents, their needs and their environments is essential to meaningful fire safety outcomes.

This session offers valuable insight for housing professionals looking to balance regulation with compassion, and to place people at the heart of fire safety decision-making.

Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.

In this Social Housing Round Table session, hosted by Elaine Middleton, we were joined by Graham Wellard from CMSG to explore the realities behind anti-social behaviour data.

The conversation unpacked how ASB is recorded, interpreted and often misunderstood, highlighting the gaps between reported data, lived experience and frontline practice. Graham challenged assumptions around what the numbers really tell us, the risks of relying on data without context, and the importance of professional judgement in decision-making.

This session offers valuable insight for housing professionals seeking to better understand ASB trends, improve responses and ensure data is used as a tool to support people, not obscure the reality on the ground.

Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.

In this Social Housing Round Table session, hosted by Elaine Middleton, we were joined by Kelly Henderson and Deborah Alderson from Addressing DA to explore innovative practices that support victims of domestic abuse.

The conversation focused on how housing providers can better recognise abuse, respond safely and consistently, and work in partnership to create meaningful change. Kelly and Deborah shared practical insight from their frontline experience, challenging assumptions and highlighting the importance of trauma-informed approaches, early intervention and clear organisational responsibility.

This session offers thoughtful reflection and practical learning for anyone working in housing who wants to strengthen their response to domestic abuse and improve outcomes for those affected.

Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.