The specially-trained security staff have been brought in to provide over-night warden care at a number of units housing vulnerable residents and those with special needs.

CHG is a pioneer in the provision of housing services on behalf of local authorities in London, with residents including the elderly, young people and people on outreach programmes.

"Using SectorGuard's wardens to provide night-time cover has resulted in considerable cost savings for the group and our local authority partners," says Lindsay Ryder of CHG "This is allowing us to target our care resources more effectively during the day"

The SectorGuard wardens are fully trained to deal with likely problems that tenants on their sites may have. In addition to being qualified and licensed by the SIA (Security Industry Authority), the wardens have enhanced CRB-clearance, and are given additional training relevant to the individual client groups. This additional training includes drugs awareness, customer care and working with young people.

"Our wardens are selected for their people skills and their ability to relate to residents in a supportive, professional manner," explains Adam Crawford of SectorGuard.

The service includes both visiting wardens, who make scheduled visits to a number of homes at set intervals, and wardens who remain at individual sites throughout the night.

"The mobile service is proving to be a real break through in providing a secure and cost effective service for young people, with wardens working in teams and able to support each other if necessary," adds Lindsay Ryder of CHG. "Where we have services that require round-the-clock cover, the wardens stay on site all night"

SectorGuard is already covering around a dozen CHG sites and there are plans to roll the service out more extensively during the next year to an additional 20 schemes throughout London.