Herts Generic Floating Support Service

1. Herts Generic Floating Support Service Presentation by Katri Wilson and Campbell Ward, SPH Housing

2. HERTFORDSHIRE FLOATING SUPPORT Housing support for people living in Hertfordshire

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 • Support levels are negotiated and gradually withdrawn once the tenant’s needs are achieved.

4. 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

5. 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

6. Herts Generic Floating Support Service100 units

7. 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

8. 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

9. Questions ?