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Housing and Homelessness Mystery Shopping

Mystery Shopping for Local Authorities and Housing Associations

Mystery shopping is a reliable way to assess the ease of access and quality of provision within your housing and/or homelessness service.

With many organisations having changed their delivery model, a mystery-shopping exercise can help you to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your provision and make plans for future service delivery.

JKS and Shelter

Shelter_1.jpgWe are proud to work alongside our colleagues at the charity ‘Shelter’.  Together we have over 15 years of experience running mystery shopping exercises for local authority housing and homelessness services throughout the UK.  We understand the challenges and realities of delivering advice services, and the value of detailed, robust assessments by experts.


A mystery-shopping exercise will help you gain a detailed understanding of:
  • How well you engage with customers at the point of initial contact
  • How you compare with other local authorities we've recently worked with
  • How you manage people, from initial contact to the diagnostic interview and advice
  • How you could work more efficiently and deliver a quality, cost-effective service to your customers
Our exercises have led authorities to improve customer engagement and work more efficiently.

Who are our mystery shoppers?

Our mystery shoppers are selected from a database, reflecting a diverse range of ethnicities, ages and experiences. Many have experienced homelessness and will use their own life experiences, whilst others are provided with scenarios to use. We ensure none of our shoppers are known to you or have previously sought help from your service.

How is the mystery shop conducted?

The mystery shopping generally takes place over a four-to-six-week period at a variety of days and times. Exercises are set up to provide an assessment of:
  • The standards of access and customer care
  • The approaches to gather information about service users and their situation
  • The initial advice provided, including confirmation of next steps
  • Appropriate delivery or signposting to available housing options

How are the results assessed?

One of our experienced business support consultants provides analysis of calls and face-to-face visits as part of a written summary report.

For telephone, online advice, or face-to-face services, each shopper is asked to contact the Housing Options Advice team and rate their experience against several assessment criteria, including factors such as the initial contact, the customer-service skills, and the guidance provided. Shelter can provide appropriate scenarios if required.

Once the mystery shopping is completed, Shelter quality-check the calls and the scoring from a housing perspective, then produce a detailed feedback report.

How are the results reported?

All our mystery-shopping packages include:
  • A scorecard report, using a five-point performance scale
  • Detailed commentary on findings and recommendations
  • A webinar presentation to feedback results and discuss recommendations and options

How much does mystery shopping cost?

Our mystery shopping exercises are tailored to each customer's unique requirements, ensuring a bespoke experience that aligns perfectly with their goals and objectives. We understand that every organisation is distinct, and so are their needs for feedback and improvement. Our approach is highly adaptable, allowing us to design custom evaluation criteria and scenarios that address specific concerns. Our competitive pricing model reflects the specific needs of your business.

We offer cost-effective solutions that are as unique as our clients, allowing them to receive the precise level of service they require.

Contact

For further details regarding our housing/homeless mystery-shopping packages and to discuss your requirements, please call us on 01509 767281 or complete the form below -  we will be happy to help.

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