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Supported Housing

Suffolk Mind Partnership Supported Housing Service
Both West Suffolk Mind and East Suffolk Mind have long offered Supported Housing. There are similarities and differences in the services offered and so we have created a table to make it easier to see.

| West Suffolk Mind | East Suffolk Mind | Suffolk Mind Partnership |

About West Suffolk Mind Supported Housing

Our aim is to provide single supported accommodation ensure a successful tenancy for those that have suffered mental illness. West Suffolk Mind’s Supported Housing Project supports people to ensure a successful tenancy with positive learning outcomes that will enable clients to move on to more independent accommodation with little or no support. The support offered is of a visiting nature attached to a person’s tenancy

We aim to empower our tenants with the necessary skills in order for them to maintain their tenancy, i.e.: help with budgeting, promoting awareness and understanding needed to ensure their home is a secure environment, recognising early warning signs and respond appropriately when tenant is unwell, and to encourage full engagement in their cultural, religious and diversity networks available to all.
Ease the stress of transitional periods when coming into or leaving our properties.
Who can refer? - Prospective tenants can self refer, often the tenant is referred by the local community mental health team or Care-co-coordinator
Once an application form is complete and returned to the Housing Manager an assessment will be arranged to ensure the client is suitable for our housing. The client will then be asked to complete a more detailed criteria questionnaire i.e.: if they can manage their own finances, their benefit entitlement, if they have any debts, have they had any neighbourhood disputes in the past if they have been evicted by any housing authority etc, they will also be asked to complete a risk assessment, housing staff lone work so this is essential that all risks are recorded.
Once all information is received and the client has been accepted they will then go on to the waiting list in their preferred area
All unsuitable clients are informed in writing by their referring agency.
There is an allocation panel in all West Suffolk Mind Housing areas
They consist of Housing managers for the relevant Housing Agency, West Suffolk Mind Housing Manager and representatives from the local mental health teams and other mental health agencies.
Once a decision has been made by the panel the prospective tenant works with our team and the tenancy begins
The expected length of our support is up to two year
West Suffolk Mind’s Supported Housing team work towards removing the need for supported intervention and promote a positive relationship between housing staff, tenant and the community they live in.

Contact information
For further information phone 01284 764808, our office in the west, and ask for the Housing Manager or a member of the Housing Team.

About East Suffolk Mind Supported Housing

East Suffolk Mind Housing Services embraces recovery approaches for mental health and well-being, a holistic, enabling, person centred approach to mental distress, disadvantage and social exclusion.

The housing services include a range of housing options from short stay with low support through to long stay with high support.
The recovery pathway is individually negotiated with each tenant. Their needs, goals, hopes and aspirations for the future are expressed in support plans.
Regular reviews will ensure that achievements are acknowledged and that plans remain relevant.
Each tenant will have a named worker who will provide support in accessing a range of other services, including, health, welfare, finance, recreation and social activities.
Resettlement into independent accommodation or other supported options will usually take place within 2 years.
Housing services are available in Ipswich, Felixstowe, Woodbridge, Kelsale and a new service in Sawston, Cambridge from October 07.

Contact information

Call East Suffolk Mind on 01473231666

Suffolk Mind Partnership

Question	ESM High Support - 24 hour support	ESM Medium Support - 15 hours a week	ESM Low Support - 4 Hours a week	WSM
How do I qualify for Mind Housing and who can refer me?	Your care coordinator will help you fill in an application form and send it to the chair of the allocations panel at Ipswich Borough Council or Coastal District Council.	Your care coordinator will help you fill in an application form and sent it to the chair of the allocations panel at IBC or Coastal District Council.	Your care coordinator will help you complete the application and send it to the chair of the allocations panel at IBC or Coastal District Council.	To qualify you must have suffered a mental illness and be almost ready for independent living. The prospective tenant must have a care co-coordinator. Referrals can be made by CPN, Social worker, or by the individual. Referrals have been accepted from GP's and other housing associations etc.
Does the flat come with any furniture?	24 Hour supported housing is fully furnished	No- but with a cooker	No	All our properties come fully furnished including cutlery, crockery, and bedding
Are any bills included?	All bills are included	No	No	All utility bills are paid for in the rent the only item not included would be a phone line. TV license is included.
What will my rent be?	If you receive Income support and DLA then you will be eligible for full housing Benefit and your contribution will be minimal e.g. a few pounds.	Your rent will depend on which benefits you receive	This depends on which benefits you receive	All tenants pay a contribution this varies from £16 - £25 a week depending on the property. This can be collected by a support worker who will issue you with a rent book or by standing order at the bank.
Can I have overnight guests?	This can be negotiated with the project staff	Yes but no one can move in with you.	Yes but no one can move in with you.	Yes but no one can move in with you.
Can I have a pet?	This can be negotiated with the project staff	This can be negotiated with project staff	This can be negotiated with project staff	This depends on the property and can be discussed prior to any move in.
What type of tenancy would I have and how long would it last for?	An assured shorthold tenancy of no fixed length. Most projects have a set length of stay usually 2 years - going t a maximum of 5 years	An assured shorthold tenancy. Usually people are expected to move on within 2 years	An assured shorthold tenancy. Projects expect people to move on within 2 years	The tenancies are assured shorthold tenancies running for a minimum period of 6 months up to approx 2 years.
What support would I get and how often and what does the support entail?	Staff are available on site 24 hours each day. Staff will support you in any way you need. It can be with attending appointments, practical tasks, social events,	Up15 hours per week. Staff will support you in any way you need. It can be with attending appointments, practical tasks, social events,	Up to 4 hours per week. Staff will support you in any way you need. It can be with attending appointments, practical tasks, social events,	West Suffolk Mind has a housing team of support workers who can provide a low level 'listening' type of befriending service they can assist with issues such as debt, substance misuse, neighbours, general welfare and social inclusion. Support workers are not counsellors, or therapists. Support usually takes the form of a weekly visit by support workers and can be increased if needed (usually this is the case when a tenant first moves in)
When I am ready to move on will I get any help to do so?	The project staff will support you in your move to other accommodation	Yes the project staff will support you	Yes the project staff will support you	West Suffolk Mind staff will support the tenant in finding move on accommodation. It is West Suffolk Mind's policy that as soon as a tenant moves in to place them on the local authority Housing list, assist with Choice base lettings were appropriate. Housing Support workers carry this out with the tenant. We are also able to support the tenant for a short while after they move on (approx 3 months) to assist with budgeting for bills, and benefit issues etc.
Can I work and still be eligible?	No	Yes	Yes	The rent on our properties is very high and too much for most working people to afford, however many of our tenants do have part time jobs and are still able to claim Housing benefit (which is what pays for the rent not including the tenants contribution). Staff can discuss this with you.
Can my partner and/or children live with me?	No	No - accommodation physically not suitable.	No - accommodation physically not suitable.	West Suffolk Mind properties are single occupancy ONLY and we do not have any provision or funding at present to accommodate couples or families
If I wanted to leave how much notice would I need to give?	One month	One month	One Month	WSM ask for 4 weeks notice when a tenant vacates a property.
Can I bring or buy my own furniture?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Any tenant may have their own furniture However all furniture provided by WSM must be kept as it is part of the accommodation so must not be discarded.
Who is not suitable for East Suffolk Mind accommodation and why?	People who are high risk, e.g. arson, violence, sexual offences.	People with high risks such as arson, violence or sexual offences	People with high risks such as arson, violence or sexual offences	Anyone not suffering/suffered a mental illness. Not in need of support or in need of intensive support e.g. 24 hour service. Not working with a care coordinator.
How do you make an application?	Application forms are available at each project. See question 1	Application forms are available at each project. Your care coordinator will help you fill in the form.	Application forms are available at each project. Your care coordinator will help you fill in the form.	Fill in an application form available from West Suffolk Mind Housing department.
Can I choose the hours of support?	Yes this can be negotiated between you and the project staff	Yes this can be negotiated between you and the project staff	Yes this can be negotiated between you and the project staff	Yes you can discuss suitable times with the support workers as long as they are between working hours (9am-5pm Monday-Friday). We generally ask for a minimum of at least one visit a week for an hour but this can be discussed with the housing manager.
Do you accept people who use illicit drugs?	Yes if they are accessing treatment services. We cannot condone drug use on our premises and before you move in our policy will be made clear to you.	Yes if they are accessing treatment services. We cannot condone drug use on our premises and before you move in our policy will be made clear to you.	Yes if they are accessing treatment services. We cannot condone drug use on our premises and before you move in our policy will be made clear to you.	We have a zero tolerance of drug use in our properties because it is a legal requirement as a housing provider. However if you are receiving treatment to address drug issues your application will still be considered, you could always discuss concerns with the housing manager before submitting an application.
What age range do you take?	18-65 but at Montrose there is no upper limit	18-65	18-65	18-65

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