Vulnerable Persons Floating Support Service

AIM OF THE SERVICE

To offer Housing Related Support to individuals and families who experience mental ill health and/or related alcohol/drug dependencies. This means:

Support is aimed at the individual/family. Everyone's circumstances are different:

We can assist in improving safety and security; we will work together with you to reduce fear of crime. We assist you to get permanent accommodation or to get a transfer to accommodation which is better suited to you. This can happen through Leeds City Council, Leeds Federated or other Housing Associations.

We will be flexible in the way we provide the support. Sometimes you may want more support visits than other times, for example during the course of works carried out at your home. We can assist in contacting other organisations and further support agencies where you need a service we cannot provide (for example personal care). We always want to make sure you keep doing things for yourself and in a way that suits you (independence, confidence, feeling you have stability in your life).

Our service is open to all sections of the community including minority and disadvantaged groups. You do not need to be an existing Leeds Federated tenant. You may rent privately or from another Housing Association, from the Council, or you may own your own home

We can support you for a period up to two years

WHO IS THE SERVICE FOR?

People with mental health related support needs will be the primary client group within this service. It is however recognised that alongside mental health related support needs the following issues often require further support:

  • At risk of violence
  • At risk of offending
  • Drug and/or alcohol related issues
  • At risk of social isolation/exclusion
  • Physical disability
  • Mild learning disabilities

Service users with greater support needs will only be considered where there is a support package in place with additional support provided by other agencies (Social Services, C.M.H.T. etc.). The service will be as flexible as possible, recognising all vulnerable groups within the community.


HOW CAN I APPLY/REFER?

The service will works closely together with the Neighbourhood Housing Teams at Leeds Federated (internal referrals from Area Teams, Property Services, Customer Involvement Officers, Older Persons Link Worker and Older Persons Scheme Managers in particular).
From outside Leeds Federated we get referrals directly from LCC Social Services or from any Health Authority officials (Outreach Team, GP's, hospital OT's/Social Workers etc.). You can also refer yourself. You just contact the Supported Housing Department via the main switchboard.

DECIDING WHO RECEIVES THE SERVICE

You will be assessed before an offer of support is made. When making decisions on your application we will consider your housing history, support needs, and Health and Safety risks to yourself and others. Support is usually offered to the applicant with the highest level of need appropriate to what the service can offer.

Where you and another applicant have similar needs and there is only one place available, the Housing Support Worker will discuss the applications with the Supported Housing Manager within 3 working days. A decision taken will be taken and recorded on your referral form, your Needs Assessment form and the decision will be fully explained to you.

SUPPORT AGREEMENT

When you are offered support you need to sign a Support Agreement within the first two weeks. Support may be helpful with any of the following:

Specific need for OT referral/adaptations
Grant applications (e.g. Disabled Facilities Grant)
Budgeting
Assistance with applications to Social Services related to more intensive or non-housing related support (e.g. Home Care, specialist/temporary equipment etc.)
Benefit advice
Education/training
Health advice (registering with GP etc.)
Neighbour problems
Relationship problems
Childcare/parenting skills
Independent living skills
Access to other support services (e.g. Mental Health, Substance misuse issue
Harm reduction
Liaison with other agencies
Someone to talk to/befriending
Minimising debts
Dealing with authorities/bureaucracy

The Housing Support Worker will provide this support where possible and appropriate; we will work with other agencies already involved with you; and we will also make referrals to other agencies that can provide further specialist support you may need.

LEAVING THE SERVICE

Tenants will be expected to stay supported for an average of 6 to 12 months, up to a maximum of two years. Usually it takes this long to go through the full process with adaptations as there are many agencies involved.