Working within the Supporting People programme, housing related support services can be provided by a range of organisations, however, at Broadacres’  we provide and deliver support through our care services division in a variety of ways according to the individual needs of our clients.  

The provision of support from Broadacres’ within the Supporting People programme offers vulnerable people the opportunity to improve their quality of life by providing an environment which enables greater independence. It involves the delivery of high quality and strategically planned housing-related services which are cost effective and reliable, and complement existing care services where appropriate.

The planning and development of services is needs led and Supporting People is a working partnership of local government, service users and support agencies.

How support is provided

Support may be provided in a number of ways, for example:

Accommodation-based services
This is about supported housing, which provides a stable environment and extra help for vulnerable people.  Residents and support staff are based within the same building.  It is support linked to the building where the service is delivered:  this means the service user has to live at a certain address to receive the support.  Councils, other Housing Associations, or voluntary organisations can also provide accommodation-based service.  For more information on accommodation based support please click here:  (Hyperlink:  Housing with Support)

Short-term Floating Support
This is a free service that provides housing-related support to vulnerable people for short periods of time from a few weeks up to two years, hence the term "floating".  Floating Support can help people wherever they live, whether they are tenants, living in temporary housing or homeowners.  The aim is to help people who are in difficulties to remain independent and sort out the difficulties they are having.  Floating support is available for single people, couples or those who are part of a family group.  For more information about Floating Support please click here.  

Home Improvement Agencies
These are 'not for profit' organisations.  Home Improvement Agencies' main function is to assist vulnerable homeowners or private sector tenants, who are older, disabled or on a low income to remain in their own home by carrying out necessary repairs, maintenance work or adapting their property.  (For more information on Home Improvement Agencies, please click here. 

Eligibility Criteria

As outlined, the programme is designed to deliver support to vulnerable service users in order to maintain their housing situation.  It aims to enable vulnerable people to live more independently within their own community.  The programme offers housing related support and help, to prevent those problems that can often lead to a person being hospitalised, homeless, or placed into institutional care.  We can also help with the transition in to independent living for anyone leaving an institutional environment.  The Supporting People programme can help people who:

• have a learning or physical and/or a sensory disability
• are homeless or at risk of losing your home
• are a young person leaving care
• are a teenage parent
• are an older person
• are a woman or man fleeing domestic abuse
• have mental health problems
• have drug or alcohol problems
• have recently come out of prison or are due to be released
• are a traveller
• are living with HIV/AIDS
• are a refugee with leave to stay in the country.

What type of support is available?

Housing related support can offer help with many housing related matters and for example these may include any or all of the following:

• Life and social skills
• Managing debts, budgeting and applying for benefits
• Setting up home and resettlement support
• Understanding tenancy agreements
• Staying safe at home
• Getting on with neighbours
• Taking up day time activities, training, education and employment within the community
• Dealing with other agencies such as health and advice services.

Supporting People cannot provide support with:

• Personal care, like washing and dressing
• Healthcare and medication
• Specialist Counselling or treatment
• Childcare
• Supporting people to go on holiday
• Property maintenance or removals.

Who decides what support is needed

When the support team informs you that you qualify for help, you and your support worker will together agree a support plan that details what you want to achieve.  The support plan will identify who is responsible for certain actions, how the support will be provided and for how long.  The plan will be regularly reviewed and you can involve other people in deciding what you want.

If for any reason we feel that we are unable to provide you with the appropriate support we can assist you in identifying and deciding which agency is most suitable for your needs.

How to apply for support

Referrals can be made by statutory agencies such as housing departments and social services, voluntary agencies, support providers and vulnerable people themselves.

To make a referral for floating support you need to contact them.  

Where can I find out more?

For further information you can contact the Supporting People team directly:

http://www.spkweb.org.uk/