Herts Generic Floating Support Service

Presentation by

Katri Wilson and Campbell Ward, SPH Housing

HERTFORDSHIRE FLOATING SUPPORT

Housing support for people living in Hertfordshire

What is floating support

• It’s a free service for tenants & owner occupiers living in Hertfordshire who may be experiencing problems with their housing.

• Its primary aim is to prevent tenancy breakdown e.g. through arrears or abandonment.

• It is a flexible way of supporting people in their own homes.

• Support levels are negotiated and gradually withdrawn once the tenant’s needs are achieved.

What is floating support

Floating support can work with people in many areas that related directly to their housing:

• Help with arrears problems / pending eviction• Advice around claiming benefits, bills and budgeting• Referrals to Hertfordshire-wide community support

services• Support around settling into a new home and moving-

on and contacting housing providers• General counselling and advice

Service start upApril – August 2008

• Office base– Stevenage

• Service users– Identify and target referrals / self referrals

• Start assessments • Publicity and promotion• How team is going to work

– Fully mobile team, use of IT, geography – Gateway service, Immediate Response service,

Resettlement & Sustainment service– 9am – 5pm/7pm and 4hrs Saturdays

Herts Generic Floating Support Service100 units

Assistant Director Supported Housing &

Community Services – initial setting up

Housing & Support Manager

Team Leader (Floating Support)

7 x Generic Floating Support Workers

Who can apply for FS

We encourage referrals to the service from a wide variety of sources:

• Council, Housing Associations and private tenants / owner occupiers living in Hertfordshire

• Friends and family• Council Housing Officers / Re-housing teams• Social Care services, GPs and Health services• Support providers / Housing Association staff

Contact details

email:

Floating.support@sph.org.uk

Address:

SPH Housing, Floating Support Service, 1 Blakeney House, Symonds Green, Stevenage, Herts SG1 2 LH

Mobile: 07500 440799

Phone: 01438 357187

Questions

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