Support

CHATFIELD HOUSING 

Support

 

Chatfield Housing  provides supported accommodation to men and women who are single and homeless  between the ages of 25-65 years.

 

We offer Tenancy Related Support to all Clients.

 

All Clients of Chatfield Housing are referred to us by Croydon and Lambeth Council  with LOW to MEDIUM support needs.

 

Their risk factors could be:

 

  • Street homeless – with a chain number
  • Drug and alcohol  willing to engage with local services
  • HIV+ AIDS
  • Ex-offender – with LOW to MEDIUM risk based on the index offense
  • Ex Care or Foster Background
  • Domestic Violence
  • Ex – forces
  • Street Activities

 

What Type of Support do Chatfield Housing provide?

 

Chatfield Housing provides tenancy related support (assistance in supporting you to sustain your tenancy).  Our  aim is to help people to live independently in their homes.  The level of support will vary from twice a week floating visits, to projects which is 24 hours staffed, with concierge overnight  staff.


Meetings are held at least once a month and will mostly last for 1 hour where problems are discussed and the clients are encouraged to develop solutions for themselves in their shared community homes as a group with the more capable clients assisting or peer mentoring the less able.

 

Clients are encouraged to be involved in all aspects of their support and is encouraged to get back into Education, Training and Employment  (ETE ) enable them to rejoin the work force and gain opportunities for employment.  This also encourages clients who are new to the home to settle into specific job role that will enable each shared home to operate as  an independent community.  Clients are also encouraged to play a role within thier homes, usually as House Representatives and this would lead to allowances to be made towards thier rent/utility payments,


Examples of these could be:

 

  • Delivering post to the room of the addressee
  • Communal cleaning
  • Low-level maintenance
  • Gardening
  •  

We  always provide Tenancy Related Support:

 

  • An independent Risk and Needs assessment provided by the Referral Agency
  • Our own Risk assessment
  • Our own assessment of your needs based on the Outcomes Star and Strength Based Assessment which is updated approximately every 3 months
  • A safe and clean place to live whilst adhering to the 'Decent Homes Policy'
  • A health and safety and risk assessment of your property
  • Immediate and Intensive  support at the start of the tenancy to start any Claims such as UC or HB
  • Assistance with developing a plan for MOVE ON including budgeting, volunteering, gaining employment, returning to education and training
  • Signposting to Estate Agents that provide move on accommodation and registering with 'Clearing House for those with chain numbers for move on.
  • We DO NOTprovide MOVE ON ACCOMMODATION OR FINANCIAL AID FOR MOVE ON.
  • Help with moving and setting up the tenancy (informing HB of changes)
  • We will collect and manage your utility/rent payments by weekly monitoring
  • House meetings held at least once a month to discuss any benefit/housing issues
  • We will collect and negotiate payment plans for rent arrears
  • Of course for your own safety and security, we will move to evict anyone who is intimidating or bullying you

 

Chatfield Housing will also provide:

 

  • Increased letting support and assistance with claiming HB and other welfare benefits due to high client turnover
  • Assistance and support with any DWP medical reviews – that may or may not affect your tenancy
  • Controlling access, facilitating and monitoring site visits from contractors and other visitors/professionals
  •  
  • Ongoing support for non-tenancy related issues will include:

 

  • meetings held at least once a month to discuss any problems you may be having that are not tenancy related
  • Finance management and budgeting (including managing your money)
  • Signposting to provide access to a range of local services (GP, CRI, Dentist etc.)
  • Helping people with social skills, such as motivational support and preventing loneliness and social isolation through our peer mentoring services
  • Help with form filling e.g. Social Fund, DLA, PASSPORT etc.
  • Setting up an appointment with a local bank to open a basic bank account
  • A monthly housing benefit check to ensure clients are still receiving benefits
  • Development of outcomes-focused support plan 
  • Educational support may include referring to Colleges for training 
  • Clients will be referred to counselling sessions if needed
  • Re-connection with family.  This is actively supported through counselling and mediation

 

Support Planning

 

Support Planning is a vital part of our initial assessment which is sent to us from a suitable agency.  The Needs and Risk sent to us by referral agencies is combined with our own Risk and Needs Assessment to form the integral monitoring of the progress of our clients.

 

A Support Plan Example

 

Support might also include:

 

  • More frequent supervision provided by qualified Support Workers
  • Life skills, advice and guidance such as acquiring domestic skills
  • Enabling and encouraging clients to develop their social skills
  • Help with Job seeking 
  • Support with moving on into more independent accommodation
  • Advice and guidance through our partnership organisations

 

How would I get Supported Accommodation?

 

We work in collaboration with both Lambeth and Croydon Councils.  You would need to contact both council's 'Homeless Team' for a referral to our services.

 

What happens when I get a job?

 

You MAY still be entitled to have your rent paid by housing benefit for 28 days after you start work, but you need to let us know immediately once you have obtained a job. However if you are working for 16 hours or less, the council will continue to pay your rent, BUT YOU MUST LET THE SUPPORT STAFF know that you have atarted working.

 

Your tenancy will be evaluated after 6 months into the license and you will then be supported by Support Staff  to start exploring you moving into a more independant accommodation that maybe closer to your job.  Of course, this process is flexible and will always be driven by your needs and goals

 

What happens when you leave the project?

 

We will always offer support after you leave, but via phone call and only up to 2 weeks after you leave our service.