Safety net

Introduction

Given the vulnerability of the client group. there needs to be clear procedures to enable a client to receive effective immediate help, if the tenancy should begin to break down. We are aware that there is an issue around funding; often support work has been funded for a maximum of six months. The referral for support may be back to the initial agency, or to some other support service. This should be worked out to suit local conditions, and the client informed how to access support during the last interview.

Aims

• To provide an accessible route back into the resettlement process if the tenancy fails.
• If possible to deal positively with tenancy breakdown, from the point of view of the client and of the housing provider if necessary, should the tenancy fail.

Tasks

• If the tenancy is breaking down there needs to be crisis intervention by a worker designated by the team
• The worker is to facilitate back up support from appropriate specialist workers

Co-ordination

Acting on the information gathered, the team may agree to extend the support, increase the frequency of contact, change the support worker.

• If the tenancy breaks down, the worker and the team need to do all that they can to prevent the client going back to the streets.
• Plan what to do, e.g. with the furniture.
• Plan to leave - cotnact the housing officer quickly
• Offer a referral back to a supported accommodation, shared house or at the very least a hostel place where the client can be re-assessed and re-empowered to resettle in more appropriate housing.

Advocacy

• Get in early to try and deal with the arrears with the housing officer
• Advocate on your client's behalf in issues with neighbours or behaviour.

Standards

• There needs to be a clear crisis intervention strategy in the event of a tenancy breaking down.

Evaluation

• The team should look at the whole resettlement process, if possible with the client, to see where it broke down, and what could have be done to prevent this happening.