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Supported Housing

Beth84

Hi,

Was wondering if any one had experience of what is/would be a good model of an Autism specific supported housing setup. We are looking at this as a possibility but don't really know what to look for. The hours provided by social care is limited and needs to be used to enable independent living practicalities? This is for an adult mid to late twenties with Asperger's syndrome, who missed the boat re adult services as non existent during this time. In an ideal world, social  understanding and  all its related problems would be an automatic part of education but sadly far from it.

  • I also an am adult with aspergers. As a high functioning adult I doubt you would qualify for 24/7 care regardless of what any other benifits say.

    it would likely be supported housing with others with mental health issues. There is a support worker in the house just keeping the peace.

    supported housing is in short demand and is normally offered as a 2 year maximum stay for those not quite their with being fully independent with their living but would be after those two years.

    the waiting list is done on need, so the wait I long. As mentioned above you can get direct payments from yout local authority, this is a amount of money given to you to employ someone to assist you. You buy their help and use a payroll company or agency to do paying them, they give you one to one support.

    if its help with aspergers you want NSA offer various setups around the country. They to social skills needed to get on with life.

    hope this helps

  • Thanks for your response, classic codger. Most helpfull, the one thing we remain unsure of, if there is a need for social skills/understanding training/input does a autism specific supported housing with 24/7 staff have an obligation to provide, or is this something we should provide over and above the social care provided (Direct Payments).

  • Hi Beth. Another question relating to my profession, oh goody goody...

    Supported housing does what it says on the tin. Please can you tell me:-

    1. Why you are looking at the possibility

    2. Are there any other physical or mental conditions that need to be taken into account

    3. Is there a Support package already in place (is that what you mean by 'social care') and is it funded via direct payment to the adult

    4. Is there a need to take into account proximity to family or other close personal contacts

    5. Can this person manage their own household, and do they need specific help with any chores

    These are important questions, but I'll give you a generalised picture.

    Supported Housing can be Social Housing or Private Provider (funds dictate) and is usually provided within a complex of such properties, all of which will be self-contained units, usually flats but can be bungalows. Older people, and vulnerable adults, are normaly eligible for such housing. There is a scheme on this website, specificaly for AS people, but generaly there won't be as Supported Housing is suitable in its' own right.

    There is always a 'call' system to summon help if needed, sometimes there is a House manager on site, otherwise it will be a mobile warden service that comes, or the call centre will summon other appropriate help. These services vary by geography and provider, but they all comply with our industry requirements for Safeguarding Adults.

    You will be aware of those disgusting people in Bristol who treated vulnerable adults to such degrading treatment. They were Private and following good tory practice - profits before people. We don't do that in Social Housing.

    All Supported Housing is generaly calm and quiet because that's how the Residents want it. I've evicted a persistently noisy person who thought that elderly people can get away with anything they like. Surprise...

    In other words, we don't tolerate nuisance or disturbance in such places, but it's also fair to say that we don't get many instances of either. The above is the only time I've ever known it throughout my career.

    To apply for Supported, you can approach your Local Authority (LA) and make an application. Again, procedural minutiae vary, but generaly a Vulnerable person will be accepted. They will then pass details to a provider in their area who has a suitable propertyhey will know them all.

    Private providers you must approach direct. However, a Care package goes with the person, not the location, so should follow them.

    The answers to my questions can 'shape' what is offered and where, and if you are going to approach your LA it will help to have those answers ready. Hope I've given you something to think about, please feel free to question me on specifics if I haven't.