Housing Support Services and how to apply

Housing Support Services and how to apply

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The service provides practical assistance and support to help Barnet Homes’ tenants maintain their home and their independence.

You can ask for extra support to help you if: • •

Our support staff will meet you at home or at our offices to discuss what help you need.

you have rent arrears of six weeks or more or; you need advice about a transfer or keeping your tenancy agreement.

This might be: • •

together with one or more of the following reasons: • • • •

• • • • • •

•

you have just left care or are living alone for the first time. you have been bereaved. you have been a victim of crime. you live alone on a regeneration estate and need advice about moving. you are suffering or causing anti-social behaviour. you are suffering domestic violence. you are returning from hospital. you have a mental, physical or learning disability. you have a substance misuse problem. there are child protection issues.

• • • • • •

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help claiming benefits and budgeting. practical advice on day to day living tasks. support and assistance to comply with the tenancy agreement. help to find reasonably priced furniture. help to find out about social and leisure activities. advice and information about how to access counselling. advice on finding training or employment. help dealing with other agencies such as the benefits agency. support and information about moving.

If we can help you, one of our support staff will agree a support plan for you.

We will ask you to sign your support plan and give you a copy. We will do our best to offer you choices when making arrangements and check with you regularly that these are continuing to meet your needs.

You can apply for housing support by using the tear off slip or contact us using the details overleaf.

Your support officer will contact you regularly and spend time with you according to the help you require.

You can phone 020 8080 6587 and ask to register for the Housing Support Service or email: bhsupport@barnethomes.org If you prefer you can ask family or friends to contact us on your behalf or someone else who knows you well.

How to apply

What’s NOT included: • • • • • • •

health care. personal care such as bathing. help with cooking, cleaning, shopping or gardening. meals on wheels. repairs and housing management duties. counselling. form filling only.

You can also use the tear off slip and post it to us using our freepost address. We will then contact you.

We will treat your enquiry in confidence. Please note that due to high demand there may be a waiting list for this service.

How long the support lasts

Who can refer you to this service with your consent:

This will depend on your situation.

After six weeks we will review the arrangements to see how you are getting on. Our aim is to help you feel more confident in your home.

• • • • • • • • • •

When we think you can manage independently, we will phase out our help gradually with your agreement.

You will have a say in when this happens, but it is normally no more than six months.

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any Advice Agency.

Tenants themselves.

Barnet Homes’ staff members.

Doctors.

Health Visitors.

Citizens Advice Bureau.

Social Services.

The Probation Service.

The Police.

Family and Friends.

To apply – you can fill in this and send it to us Please give as much information as possible to help us to offer you the best service.

First name: Surname: Gender:

Male

Female

Other

If other, please specify

Address:

Postcode Telephone: Email: GP’s name: Address:

Postcode Please continue overleaf.

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Are you a tenant who has recently moved from: (tick box)

The reason for your referral? (tick box) Rent arrears

a hostel

Antisocial behaviour

hospital

Victim of domestic violence

prison

Problems managing my home

care

Problems managing my finances

other?

Mental health problem

Have you used this service before? (tick box)

Physical disability

Yes

Learning disability

No

Not giving access

How did you hear about it? (tick box)

Substance misuse At risk of losing your tenancy

Leaflet

Other, please give details

Family Friends Our staff Our website In athome

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2 Bristol Avenue, Colindale, London NW9 4EW barnethomes.org talktous@barnethomes.org @barnethomes 8