Supported Tenancy Service

Supported Tenancy Service If you have difficulty managing your tenancy, and you are a Winchester City Council tenant, then our Supported Tenancy Service may be able to help you.

What is a Supported Tenancy?

If you agree to Tenancy Support, the Supported Housing team will become responsible for the management of your tenancy.

Support will be used as a first option in order to resolve issues and we ensure that your first point of contact will be your support workers or the Supported Housing team.

How will support be provided?

Support workers are provided in partnership with voluntary sector agencies like: G

The Trinity Centre

G

Southern Focus Trust

G

Together Working for Wellbeing

G

A2 Dominion Care and Support

These agencies have been chosen for their specialist knowledge and support can be provided in the long or the short term, depending on your needs.

If you have any problems with your support worker, please let us know.

Many issues can be resolved by the Supported Housing team and the support agency working together.

How can the Tenancy Support Service help me?

The Supported Tenancy Service wants to help you to maintain your independence and keep your tenancy. Its aim is to improve the quality of life of vulnerable people and create more inclusive communities.

The Supported Housing Team can help you with: G

teaching life skills and offer advice on meal preparation

G

assist in accessing social support

G

dealing with debts

G

managing your income, paying bills, etc.

G

helping with form-filling and dealing with the Benefits Agency

G

advising on the safe use of appliances

G

helping with repairs

G

dealing with neighbour disputes

G

gaining access to support services, healthcare and social care professionals

G

dealing with security issues

G

helping with resettlement

G

assisting with arranging cleaning where appropriate

G

providing social support.

If you contact the Service, we will arrange an informal visit to your home when we can discuss the support available to you.

Who will the service help?

The Supported Tenancy Service will help: G

people with mental health problems

G

families under pressure

G

substance mis-users

G

care leavers

G

vulnerable young people

G

people with learning difficulties

G

people with physical disabilities

G

people who are blind or deaf

G

ex-offenders with support needs

G

vulnerable older people, where specialist help is needed.

Do I qualify for Tenancy Support?

You will qualify for Tenancy Support if you: G

have an identifiable support need

G

are vulnerable

G

have difficulty coping with your tenancy

G

have difficulty living independently

G

are willing to let us help you.

How do I apply for the service?

Winchester City Council City Offices Colebrook Street Winchester SO23 9LJ tel 01962 840 222 text phone 01962 878 982 fax 01962 841 365 website www.winchester.gov.uk

If you have any particular needs which affect how you are able to use or be involved in our services or how you would like to receive information for example translation, interpreters, Braille, audio tape, large print, sign language - please contact the Customer Service Centre either by telephone 01962 840 222 or by email customerservice@winchester.gov.uk Telephone calls may be recorded

LDS0123-28023 Nov 2008 Designed and printed by Winchester City Council’s Design, Print & WP Section

Simply call 01962 848 375 and ask to speak to The Supported Housing Team. Alternatively you can ask your Area Housing Manager, the Housing Needs section, Social Services, your GP, voluntary organisations or other outside agencies to make a referral on your behalf.