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Information for Service Users

Supporting People helps vulnerable people to have a better quality of life by providing housing related support. We help pay for the support services that allow people to live independently in their accommodation.

What is housing-related support?

Housing-related support can include the following:-

• A community alarm system
• Access to training and employment
• Help with getting benefits, managing debts, budgeting and filling in forms
• Getting to know the area where you live
• Having daily welfare checks and a regular support visit from a scheme manager
• Understanding your responsibilities when you live in your own home

Supporting People services do not cover help with the following:-

• Personal care, like washing and dressing
• Healthcare or medication
• Specialist counselling or treatment
• Childcare

Who can receive housing-related support?

Supporting People aims to help a wide range of adults who may be vulnerable, including:

• People who have been homeless or a rough sleeper who need support
• Homeless families with support needs
• Ex-offenders and people at risk of offending and imprisonment
• People with a physical or sensory disability
• People at risk of domestic violence
• People with drug and alcohol problems
• Teenage parents
• Older people with support needs
• Young people at risk
• People living with HIV and AIDS
• People with learning difficulties
• People with mental health problems
• Gypsy's and Travellers

Housing-related support can be provided through several ways. The most common being:

Accommodation-based services 

These deliver supported housing which provides a stable environment and extra help for vulnerable people. Support staff and service users are based within the same building. If you move out of the accommodation, you stop receiving the support service. However, you may be referred on to a different resettlement or floating support service if you need further support in your new accommodation.

Floating (Visiting) Support Services

This type of service provides housing-related support to vulnerable people for short periods of time which may be from a few weeks up to a maximum of two years. The aim is to support people who need help to remain independent in their housing. The support might involve helping you to sustain your tenancy. For example, help and advice with your rent and bills, managing your money, claiming benefits and keeping to a tenancy agreement. It can also help with developing your life-skills, linking you to education and employment opportunities and so on). When the person no longer needs it, the support "floats" off to another person.

Community Alarm Services

This is an alarm service where vulnerable people can signal to a scheme manager or member of support staff that they need help or assistance. The service may come as part of the accommodation (meaning that if you moved out, the alarm would not go with you), or through a portable alarm or special phone link in your own home, that is more flexible and portable to your own individual support needs. needs.

Home Improvement Agency Services

This is a service for older homeowners or those with a disability to help identify essential home repairs, and find ways to help pay for those repairs and adaptations to help maintain your independence living in your own home. Often Handyperson services are also provided which can help with small home repairs and safety checks.

If you think you are entitled to housing related support, you should contact organisations such as health, social services, local housing departments or housing associations who can refer you to service providers.

Additional Information

 Helping you live independently (Word, 42 kb)

This leaflet gives some background about the kind of things that Supporting People can pay for.

 Supporting People - Directory of Services (PDF, 2202kb)

This leaflet describes the national directory of services to help you find the support service you are looking for.

To Find a support service within Staffordshire select Staffordshire as your local authority area, and choose the file type you require.

Service User Newsletters

View our latest and previous newsletters.

 May 2005 (pdf, 225 kb)

 Jan 2006 (pdf, 200 kb)

 Sept 2006 (pdf, 324 kb)

 Aug 07 (pdf, 230 kb) 

Comments and Complaints

Everyone who receives support has the right to expect a good quality service.  If you are unhappy with the service that you are receiving and your support provider’s complaints policy has been exhausted, please contact the Supporting People team.
Equally, if you have had a positive experience from a support service, please let us know. If possible, we would like to share examples of good practice and experiences of how services have made a difference to people’s lives.

Getting involved with Supporting People

Your opinions and views are important to us. Hearing from you may help us to improve the services that we offer across Staffordshire.

 Help us provide a better service (pdf, 190 kb)

Last Modified: 28/02/2008 10:51:19
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