Gearing up for change

Outline-of-section

Introduction | Support and the need for change | Cognitive aims | Practical aims | Emotional aims | Tasks | Co-ordination | Advocacy | Standards | Evaluation | Skills, knowledge and training | Resources

Introduction

This is a crucial stage in the process of resettlement, if we accept that change is at the heart of a successful resettlement. Indeed, this stage is time boundaried only by the fact that in many cases the client will have to wait for some time after being referred to a housing provider, and as this can therefore be a deeply frustrating time, and it is vital to maintain the momentum despite a challenging hiatus. In some circumstances, the wait can be in excess of four weeks. In others, there is very little time between signing the tenancy and moving in, and this time can be consumed with practical matters. It is important to give as much consideration as possible in advance to emotional reactions that may arise.

Support and the need for change

According to Seal the central tenet of resettlement work is that it is possible to intervene usefully in situations where homelessness is the result of something more than difficulties in accessing accommodation.

For this reason alone, this stage of the process is an important one at which to reiterate the importance of the fact that "just get me a flat and it will all be alright" is rarely the case, or at least not for your clients. "Support" is the term generally used for interventions. If support is withdrawn, without change having occurred, then the situations that led to the initial homelessness will (or may) recur.

This stage is also about laying (or checking) the foundations that the person will have to stand alone on in their new accommodation at some point in the near future.

At this stage, many services make use of meaningful occupation, to assist in building self confidence, skills, relaxation techniques and skills that will be transferable to training and employment.

Perhaps more important is the implication of the need for change. This is implied because resettlement is commonly understood to be a discrete piece of work (Bevan 1998). If support is withdrawn, without change having occurred, then the situations that led to the initial homelessness will (or may) recur. Something needs to change if that person is to avoid becoming homeless again and that some kind of support is needed to enable them to make that change.

We are engaged with the clients in making a huge change in their lives; this stage is about helping them to prepare for the challenges of independent living, which will include cognitive, emotional and practical support. Change can occur on one or all of these levels and for resettlement to succeed fully, it may well need to occur on all of them. In this section and some of the subsequent sections, we have broken the aims down according to these three levels.

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Tasks

Tenancy agreements

• 'Demistify' the tenancy agreement. It is quite likely the person may be familiar with the important sections of such an agreement, as they may have had one similar at hostel accommodation etc, so start with what they know, and explain any differences.
• Explain the differences between types of tenancy,- assured shorthold, assured, starter/introductory.
• Ascertain the financial requirements of the tenancy, amounts, methods and frequency.
• Check and underline the process in the case of needing repairs, improvements, etc
• Clarify the meaning of subletting and the potential consequences of not abiding by this and other aspects of the tenancy.
• Talk through the tenant's rights, what freedoms they will enjoy and how, (this is an opportunity for positive talk about change and the opportunites it affords)
• Talk through the tenant's responsibilities This is the flip side, an opportunity to be realistic about the future and the new responsibilities the tenant will have to take on. It's not all roses, but surely at the end of the day, the rights and freedoms outweigh the responsibilities, etc....
• Explore furniture grants. Community care grants, loans
• Deal with issues around changing benefits.
• Plan to deal with the utilities - gas, electricity, and water.
• Rehearse the consequences of change e.g. emotional trauma; cycle of change etc. If we as workers know that in most cases, the peak of moving in is often compensated for by 'coming down' a little bit, where you shut the door behind you and think - right this is it, and then something goes wrong… like there's no hot water... and you realise you're on your own now... then we should prepare clients that for some people, this is the case.
• Make sure that if the person has medication requirements or regular appointments that you start early on transferring this to the new location wherever possible.

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Co-ordination

• Gearing up for change involves beginning transfer preparations where necessary with other agencies involved with the client.
• Don’t forget at this stage about all the positive aspects and interests of the client's life - where will they access the new services? Try and have some answers ready before raising this, anything you can do to make the transition smoother will be worthwhile in preparing for the move.

Advocacy

• Resettlement workers need to keep their clients informed of the progress of the referral.
• Be ready to be an advocate on the part of the client, if their needs change and the referral needs to be prioritised.

Evaluation

• Does the client understand the basics around the appropriate tenancy agreement - their rights has well as their responsibilities?
• If appropriate, has their furniture grant,/loan been applied for?
• Do they know what changes they will have to make in their benefits?
• Have they explored the consequences of change?

Skills, knowledge and training

• Leases and tenancy agreements
• Basic welfare benefits, including Social Fund
• Knowledge of application procedures for gas, electricity and water.
• Basic counselling.
• Knowledge of 'models of change'