Dr Simon Wharne manages community mental health services and he has studied for a PhD. He has written articles and book chapters describing Assertive Outreach interventions. These are designed for people who would otherwise fail to engage; people who present as a risk due to severe mental health problems. Homelessness is one of the risks successfully managed, but concerns can be raise about the use of mental health law and the high financial cost of these services.

Simon has conducted research employing a phenomenological analysis. He is interested in how decisions are constructed in professional knowledge systems. He has examined concepts such as ‘mental capacity’ and ‘intentional homelessness,’ exploring the exercise of power and resource management. A phenomenological approach need not claim that people should be understood in one way or another. The researcher can ask instead what would be the consequences if one interpretation were promoted and others neglected.