What is Supported Housing?

Supported housing covers housing projects that are provided for the benefit of people who need additional support to manage and keep their home.

Regular support in a specifically designed project (accommodation-based support).

The referrals for our Supported Housing Schemes come from the homeless team and the staff at the schemes will conduct a risk assessment followed by a sign up and scheme induction, normally lasting over an hour.

Our Supported Housing Schemes are spread over 6 sites and accommodate up to 125 families or single people.

• BaileysFarmGardens - 12 units
• Baileys Farm House - 12 units
• Evelyn House - 16 units
• TyndaleGardens - 17 units
• Underwood House - 19 units
• St Ives Court - 37 units

The Schemes at Evelyn House and Tyndale Gardens are in partnership with Westlea Housing Association.

The Quality Assessment audit carried out by the Supporting people team in 2005, resulted in the service being awarded 6 Bs and proof that the service provides value for money.

The Supported Housing Schemes have evolved from the hostels under the guidance of the ODPM. The distinct change of title from Hostel Warden to Supported Housing Scheme Coordinator clearly identifies the role of the staff team and provides residents with quality support.

An initial assessment is made of the new client and Support Planning will follow after the resident(s) have settled into the scheme. The Resident will work in partnership with the staff member to ensure that the issues are identified and agreed.

The need for support to vulnerable people has long been established.

The type of support being provided to residents should provide the following results in due course:

• Reduction in evictions
• Reduction in incidents
• Reduction in arrears.
• A major increase in inter-agency working
• An increase in successful move on’s

The provision of accommodation alone will not address the underlying issues faced by the vast majority of the residents in the Supported Housing Schemes.

The Supported Housing Coordinators are the team responsible for the service.

For more informationplease contact John Garbutt on 01793 463526 or by email: jgarbutt@swindon.gov.uk

Housing-related support aims to:

• Develop or sustain an individuals skills to live independently and safely in their own home.
• Provide support to prevent homelessness or tenancy breakdown.
• Have an agreement between the service provider and the user with agreed objectives.

Each individual has a support plan tailored to their particular needs and could include any of the following:

• Setting up a tenancy - understanding their rights and responsibilities.
• Money matters - help to claim benefits and manage budgets to make sure rent and bills are paid.
• General housekeeping - support with everyday things, such as shopping, cleaning, preparing food, doing laundry etc.
• Social support - to find out about social and leisure activities in the community and how to get involved.
• Practical support - for example to access college, local transport and jobs.
• Emotional and physical issues - someone on hand to talk to and help resolve problems.
• Accessing additional support services - contacting Health/Social Services, Alcohol and Substance misuse services.
• Any other issues connected with the maintenance of their tenancies.

Support must be related to the maintenance of the tenancy and does not include personal care.

Accommodation consists of safe and supportive housing from self-contained bed-sits to 3 or 4 bed-roomed houses.

The Supported Housing Coordinators are the team responsible for the service.

For more informationplease contact John Garbutt on 01793 463526 or by email: jgarbutt@swindon.gov.uk