How social housing orders impact education: What schools need to know and how they can support affected families
In the social housing sector, legal orders such as possession orders, anti-social behaviour injunction orders and youth injunctions are sometimes necessary to manage tenancy issues and help to create safer communities. While these orders are predominantly a legal matter, they can have a significant impact on families and specifically on a child’s education.
It is important that schools understand how these legal matters can affect their students, as they may need to step in and offer support to families facing these challenges, helping to provide stability during a difficult time.
This article will explore the most common types of social housing orders, including how schools can support students and families affected by these orders.
Published: October 31st, 2025
5 min read
Possession Orders
Possession orders are a common legal action within the social housing sector whereby a local authority or housing association will apply to court to reclaim a property. Possession orders may be sought for various reasons but most commonly they are sought due to rent arrears, anti-social behaviour and/or breach of tenancy.
When seeking a possession order a landlord is required to follow a process which begins with serving a notice on the tenant. Possession proceedings can then be issued in the County Court; although this is not a quick process and it can often take months, if not years, to resolve.
In some cases, courts can decide to suspend a possession order, meaning the families are permitted to remain in their homes on the condition that they comply with the requirements set by the court, such as repaying rent arrears and/or following their tenancy rules.
How can schools help?
As possession proceedings are not a quick process, during this time families can experience significant uncertainty which can in turn disrupt some children’s sense of security, making it difficult for them to focus on school and/or maintain normal routines.
In these situations, schools can play a crucial role in supporting students and families including offering extra emotional care through counselling or pastoral services to help students cope with the stress and uncertainty, and ensuring the family has been connected to all the relevant services.
Where a possession order is made, there is potential for this to result in a relocation of a family to a different area, meaning students are required to transfer school mid-term. This can cause both academic disruption but also emotional disruption, as the student will lose the familiarity and support network they have established at the school. Where a move is unavoidable, schools should work closely with parents, carers and local authorities to ensure a smooth transition.
Injunction Orders:
Anti-social Behaviour Injunction Orders
ASB injunction orders are another common legal action sought by social housing landlords where tenants’ households have engaged in serious or persistent anti-social behaviour that has caused harm or distress to neighbours and/or the wider community.
ASB injunction orders often have conditions attached to them that prohibit the individual from entering certain areas (typically those the individual has previously caused problems within), engaging with certain people or from behaving in a certain way.
Youth Injunction Orders
Youth Injunction Orders are another legal action that social landlords can obtain and are similar to the anti-social behaviour injunction.
Whilst a youth injunction order can prohibit an individual from doing certain activities/associating with certain people etc, they can also contain positive action requirements. Positive action requirements are specific actions an individual must take in the hope that this will address the root cause of their behaviour. Examples of these requirements could be attending a drug and alcohol misuse course, specific educational courses or attending counselling.
When making a youth injunction order, courts will be mindful of any conditions attached to the injunction order that could negatively impact a young person’s education, for example exclusion from the area that the child attends school in or positive requirements that take place during school hours. However, in some cases the courts may feel this is necessary, regardless of the effect it may have on the individuals education.
How can schools help?
Where injunction orders include terms that impact a young person’s education, it is imperative that schools work closely with the local authority to make arrangements for alternative provisions, such as online learning or other flexible arrangements that allow the young person to continue their education while complying with the terms of the injunction.
Schools have a vital role in supporting students through behavioural challenges, especially when they are subject to legal orders. It is vital that schools work closely with the external agencies such as youth offending teams and social workers to ensure a co-ordinated approach is taken to address the students legal and educational needs. This partnership can ensure that the young person receives appropriate support both academically and in terms of rehabilitation or intervention.
Additionally, pastoral staff play a key role in guiding students through the challenges tied to an injunction order. Schools should ensure that their staff are adequately trained to provide the necessary emotional and practical support to students in these circumstances
Understanding the nature of social housing orders and the impact they have on students is crucial for ensure that all parties involved are able to support the young person effectively. If you would like to discuss this article further, please do not hesitate to contact us.
For further information please contact Ashleigh Dibb
