Housing Related Support
What is housing related support?
This is help that is provided to people to prevent them from becoming homeless or having to be admitted into hospital or residential care when it can possibly be avoided.
A support worker works with the person to develop a range of skills that will give them the confidence and independence to live successfully in the community. The support can include help to learn how to maximise their income, budget for bills, cook healthy meals and access other services such as doctors, dentists and social activities.
The support offered to each person is unique to them and their particular needs. The support encourages people to learn skills to help themselves and give them greater independence. This support can be provided to young people, young parents, older people, people with a learning disability/Autism, ex-offenders, people with mental health issues, people at risk of domestic abuse or people who have been homeless in the past.
The support does not cover things like personal care (washing, bathing) but it is possible, in some cases, for you to receive both housing related support and personal care. Visit the social care services web pages for further information.
How to apply for housing related support
You can apply for support by completing the form titled 'Gateway Assessment Form' under related documents below, and emailing it to:
Supportingpeople.dachs@dudley.gov.uk
Or you can post it to
Supporting People Team
DACHS
Ednam House
1 St James’s Road
Dudley
DY1 3JJ
You can also contact one of our housing related support providers and ask them to complete an on-line referral form with you and submit it to us on your behalf. The list of agencies that can be found under related documents below.
What happens once you have applied for Housing Related Support
Once we have received your application we will try to match your support needs to the most appropriate services that we have. If there is more than one service we will offer you the opportunity to choose which service you would like. If the service has a vacancy, the service provider will contact you within a couple of days to do a full assessment of your needs. If we do not have a vacancy in the services we will contact you and let you know. It is possible for you to go on a waiting list.
Once your support needs have been assessed the service provider will let you know if they can meet your support needs and offer you the service. If they can’t they will let us know and we will look to match you up with another more suitable service.
In order to receive housing related support you must meet the Eligibility Criteria (see related documents below ) and you may have to be assessed to see if you need to pay a charge for the service - see fairer contributions.
If you are unsure about what is happening with your application you can contact the Supporting People Team for further information.
What can I expect from the service?
Your support worker will agree an individual support plan with you that will identify the type of skills and activities that you want to do to increase your independence and develop your independent living skills. You will have regular meetings to see how you are progressing with your support plan and it can be changed at any time if your support needs change.
You will be treated with dignity and respect at all times. You will also be offered opportunities to comment and feed back to the service provider about how you feel about the service. This information will be used by them to improve or change the way that they support people.
From time to time you may also be contacted by the Supporting People Team and asked what you think about the service. We use this to decide how good the service provider is at meeting your needs.
The length of time that you receive support will depend on your individual support needs. Most services last for a maximum of up to two years.
Complaints, compliments, comments or concerns
If you have a complaint or concern about the service that you are receiving you can contact the Supporting People Team to tell us about your concerns.
You can also make a complaint, comment or compliment to us (in confidence).
Dudley Council is committed to protecting vulnerable adults in the Borough from abuse, ill-treatment and exploitation. Abuse can take many forms such as physical, sexual, emotional, neglect or financial, and can take place in many different settings. If you have concerns about abuse or have been abused please report it to us - see safeguarding adults.
Information on current services and who provides them
We have a lot of different services and service providers. These range from services provided by Dudley MBC staff to private companies. The list can be viewed under related documents.
