Shared Living
We have a robust matching process, so that everyone can live safely and happily as a group. Individuals living in our shared houses are provided with a minimum of 5* hours support each week to achieve independence, according to their assessed needs. Support is adjusted according to the changing needs of the individual and can increase or decrease to respond to individual needs.
Whilst living at the service we deliver a ‘step down’ support package to increase their skills, giving them greater capacity and ability to achieve independence.
Matching to ensure a Safe and Happy Community
We treat all shared houses as an opportunity for group work, and staff are trained to work systemically. Therefore, we place a heavy emphasis on thorough and accurate matching and understand the potential consequences of introducing individuals to a new environment, existing residents and staff alike.
Our referral process requires as much referral information and history as possible and an up-to-date risk assessment. This is reviewed by the referral manager before a placement is offered. Where the risk is higher, or not fully known, we will undertake a face-to-face meeting whenever possible.
Participation
All individuals will participate in the running of the household. Therefore, we will host weekly house meetings, allowing people to plan their meals, discuss ideas to arrange their own rota for cooking and cleaning. As these tasks are allocated between each person, we are therefore increasing the likelihood that they will positively participate.
In accordance with our approach of encouraging and enabling the greatest levels of independence and control for people living in the service, we place clear expectations upon them for managing their accommodation. This includes tidying, cleaning, maintaining furnishings and establishing rotas in shared houses. These expectations are explained and agreed before they move into our accommodation or, in the case of emergency referrals, at the earliest opportunity thereafter.
Balancing Needs
Every person will have their own dedicated keyworker to provide individualised, focussed support that enables them to progress towards independence. Keyworkers and support workers will have weekly meetings to discuss any issues affecting the household, and whether there are any conflicting needs/issues that need to be monitored.
Addressing Non-Engagement
To further reinforce positive engagement, we will have an incentive scheme. we will encourage individuals to work towards their weekly targets, including education, employment, training, completion of chores, returning home before curfew, and maintaining positive behaviour. If they achieve these targets, then we will fund a group activity, e.g. a film night, a nails night, or bowling. This will be chosen between each other, further fostering a sense of community.
Standalone Placements
Standalone Placements Where a young adult has moved on to independence but it has been assessed that they would benefit from further support, EHS is able to offer time-limited floating support to help them settle in and be equipped for independent living.
Support
Support will be provided in the young adults home, and will be available between 8am – 8pm. We work flexibly to ensure support is available when they need it and to fit around their other commitments (e.g. college, work), so sessions will also be delivered at weekends, as required.
In addition to support in the home, we are also able to accompany the young adult when out in the community, where required to help them achieve their goals/outcomes. Examples include support to attend an appointment or building the young adults’s confidence using public transport, so that as support is gradually reduced they can attend subsequent appointments unaccompanied and become independent.
Needs Led Approach
Floating support will be specifically targeted to their individual needs and areas where they require further skills development to enable them to live independently. This could include:
How to manage their own finances
Including budgeting skills, saving, paying bills and researching best value deals, opening a bank account (including online banking), accessing their entitled benefits and assistance with application/claim forms.
Maintaining a home
Including doing laundry, household cleaning, basic household maintenance (e.g. changing a fuse or lightbulb), managing unexpected events (e.g. plumbing leak or utility disruption), gardening and maintaining the outside space.
Self-care and healthy lifestyles
Including registering with and accessing health services (e.g. GP, dentist, optician), making and attending appointments, how to purchase medicines or order prescriptions, personal hygiene, mental health, accessing local leisure/social activities, and providing information about healthy lifestyles (e.g. drugs and alcohol, sexual health, smoking, healthy eating and exercise) to enable them to make informed choices.
Cooking skills
Including food shopping on a budget, choosing a healthy recipe, preparing and cooking a meal, food hygiene, and maintaining a balanced diet.
Employment, education and training
Including accessing the Jobcentre and employment searching, completing applications, writing a CV, preparing for interviews, understanding education and training options, and accessing National Insurance number and birth certificates.
Independent tenancy options and tenancy ready
Applying for housing, understanding and maintaining a tenancy, and being a good neighbour.
Time-limited
Floating support is time-limited and will have clear plans in place for reducing/gradually withdrawing the support at an appropriate pace (as agreed with the Social Worker/Personal Advisor and young adult). This avoids them becoming dependent on the support and enables them to manage independent living tasks by themselves.
Expert Care
Our service model is based upon:
- Suitable and stable accommodation that meet all legislative requirements and guidelines
- Thorough initial risk and needs assessments, to ensure appropriate matching
- A strengths-based approach to gathering baseline data for measuring progress
- Flexible support from experienced, qualified and consistent staff
- Personalised support tailored to young adults' needs
- Supporting and motivating young adults to enter education, training and employment.
- A structured Preparation for Independence programme
- Evidence-based assessment tools to monitor and report upon progress
- Access to employment, education or training
- A multi-agency approach
- The rights of all young adults are advocated and followed by EHS at all times. Advocacy services are contacted if the young adult requests this
- Participation and co-production opportunities for all young people
- Exit interviews, with Moving On Plans shared with the placing authority and Leaving Care teams
- Well-established and compliant policies and procedures
- Our properties are adapted to meet the young adults’s needs. This can be things such as providing additional items, removing items that could be a potential trigger.
- All young adults will be provided with an independent program that is suitable and adapted to individuals.