Floating Support Service to 103 Vulnerable Tenants with
Low, Medium and High Mental Health Support Needs.
PURPOSE
Enfield
Floating Support provides the highest level of support to vulnerable
tenants in their own homes, which enables Service User choice and
participation. This contributes to independence in maintaining tenancies,
good budgeting, enhanced self-esteem and living full and valued lives.
SERVICE DESCRIPTION
The
scheme was set up in April 2003 and provides a service to ninety-two
vulnerable council tenants dispersed across the borough. The service focus
is on housing related support and tenants assessed with care needs are
referred on to more appropriate services.
In
April 2006 the service was commissioned to offer support to 11 clients
with high mental health support needs.
SUPPORT PROVIDED
Tenants
are allocated a Key worker who visits on a weekly basis. Those with high
support needs receive more intensive support with visits up to 4 or 5
times per week. At the assessment
stage, Individual Support Plans are drawn up in consultation with the
tenant. Based on this, key workers offer emotional, practical and social
support with the aim of assisting tenants to sustain their tenancies and
independence.
SERVICE USERS INVOLVEMENT AND CONSULTATION
Service
Users are fully involved in their support at point of assessment and
regular reviews are held to ensure that the support package remains
relevant. All tenants receive a handbook which sets out their rights,
quality standards and the complaint procedure. At discharge, there is a
comprehensive exit interview and staff conduct an annual survey of all
tenants. Information from these, together with a desk-top analysis of
support plans and review meetings inform internal service reviews. Staff
continue to develop other innovative ways of involving service users.
ENSURING QUALITY
Fortnightly
management supervision is provided to all staff. The team conducts weekly
meetings at which all referrals, assessments, and discharges are discussed
and there is access to externally facilitated clinical supervision when
required. The manager undertakes a regular desk-top examination of case
files to monitor the quality of support plans. At review other significant
and relevant agencies are involved.
The Supporting People Quality
Assessment Framework (QAF) is fully implemented to ensure high quality standards
are maintained. External monitoring is undertaken by the Supporting People
Team.
STAFFING
The staff team is comprised of:
Operational Manager,
Deputy Operational Manager
6.75 WTE Floating Support Workers
Administrator
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
