The Money and Mental Health Policy Institute has published a policy note entitled: ‘Fear and foul play – the case for bailiff reform to reduce psychological harm’.
It follows the recent launch of the ‘Taking Control’ bailiff reform campaign by several MALG members including The Money Advice Trust, AdviceUK, Christian’s Against Poverty, Citizens Advice and StepChange, and highlights a set of recommendations:
- All bailiffs to receive mental health training
- Public sector agencies to have robust processes for identifying people with mental health problems, or who are in vulnerable circumstances, who must not be referred to enforcement
- Public sector agencies to use only bailiff firms with appropriate vulnerability policies in place
- The bailiff industry to be subject to independent regulation