United Welsh supports JobMatch... providing opportunities for construction
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A United Welsh newsletter for providers of support services
Summer 2008
Edition 9
United Welsh
supports
JobMatch...
providing The JobMatch project, which has
been operating in Blaenau Gwent for
opportunities the past 3 years, was set up to help
the economically inactive into work
for construction and has proved to be an
extraordinary success.
trainees See page 6 for the full story
A new staffing structure at United Welsh
United Welsh has recently undertaken a planned maintenance into the Housing & Community
number of changes to the staffing structure Services department, to site it alongside reactive
within the Housing and Development maintenance and to transfer community development
Departments and we thought you might be into the Development & Technical Services
interested to know the thinking behind Department and to rename it community investment.
these. We feel this arrangement will strengthen budgetary
In implementing these changes we were seeking to control, improve customer service and allow existing
achieve a number of objectives. staffing structures to be developed without significant
The objectives for the maintenance service included: additional cost.
• closer and more collaborative working between
planned and reactive maintenance;
Within housing we now have two new Heads of
Service alongside the Head of Support Services (Chris
• more effective and efficient use of human and
financial resources;
Rutson) and Head of Living+ (Wayne Emery).
• The first new post is Head of Property (Luke
• providing a seamless maintenance service to
tenants and improving service delivery in all areas.
Mitchell) with responsibility for reactive and
planned maintenance, as well as the customer
services team.
The objectives for community development
included: • The second post is Head of Neighbourhood (Jan
Waters) with responsibility for all housing
• developing a complete and integrated approach to
community development (including the physical
management services in general needs properties
- across all our areas of operation.
regeneration of the areas, as well as social inclusion
Within the Development department a new post of
and sustainability);
Head of Community Investment has been created and
• creating effective links with developers as
supporters and funders of projects;
we are currently seeking to recruit to this position.
This is a brief overview of our restructure and if you
• providing opportunities to use these projects as a
learning mechanism for future development
have any questions then please get in touch.
Paula Kennedy
schemes.
Director of Housing &
To achieve these objectives we considered a Community Services
number of options and ultimately decided to transfer
Two new support providers for United Welsh
Hafal (meaning 'equal') are a charity for PRESS was established in 1991 and
people with mental health problems. Hafal provides a range of services and care
operates across all 22 Local Health Board packages tailored to the specific needs and
areas in Wales. wishes of the individual.
The organisation is managed by the people they Current services are provided to individuals with
support: individuals whose lives have been affected by learning difficulties, through residential, supported
severe mental illness. living and domiciliary arrangements.
Underpinning Hafal’s services to clients is their own PRESS works in several local authorities to support
unique Recovery Programme. Based on principles of and encourage service users to understand and
self-management and empowerment, the programme exercise their rights, to develop their skills and
offers clients a methodical way of achieving recovery by independence and also enable them to become part of
focusing on improving all areas of their life. their local community.
Hafal have recently taken over the management of a For more information please contact their main
United Welsh project in Bridgend. offices in Ystrad Mynach. This can be done via
For more information please contact please contact telephone (01443) 814293, Fax (01443) 816555 or
their main office on 01792 816 600 or e-mail email press1@tiscali.co.uk.
hafal@hafal.org
2
Repairs by Scalding
appointment risks from
In April 2008
United Welsh
hot water
introduced an Maintenance Officer
appointment Richard Powell tells
system with us why anti-scald
Q u a d r o n valves are so
Services for important for people
c e r t a i n living in supported
repairs. housing.
We introduced
Thermostatic Mixing Valves (TMV’s)
the system because we know
TMV’s, also known as Anti-Scald Valves are one of the
how frustrating it can be waiting for a repair to
most established methods of limiting the temperature of
be completed or to wait for an operative without
water being discharged through a hot water outlet.
knowing when they might call.
TMV’s should be inspected twice yearly by a qualified
The appointment system has concentrated on
person. The table below gives maximum hot water
internal repairs to homes and will allow tenants to
temperatures for a range of applications.
choose a convenient date and between a morning or
afternoon call. Scalding
When repairs are phoned through (on 0800 294 Scalds are burns caused by hot liquids; the severity of
0195) the Customer Services Advisor will book an the scald is expressed in degrees on a simple three
appointment and the tenant will receive written step scale.
confirmation (unless the managing agent has asked A third degree burn means the entire thickness
us to send the confirmation to their office, for of the skin is destroyed - the wound has to be surgically
example women’s refuges). If the appointment is not removed and the area covered with a skin graft.
convenient, tenants or support workers should A second degree burn is a burn with blisters -
contact us to rearrange the appointment. This is with proper treatment many of these will go on healing
important as we need to reduce the number of without a skin graft.
abortive visits so we can make better use of the A first degree burn would be like superficial
operative’s time. sunburn where there is no blistering.
We are looking at ways to improve this system The highest number of scalds resulting in severe
and have recently invested in a product called OPTI- injuries is caused by hot bath water. The people most at
TIME which will bridge the gap between our risk are the very young and the elderly due to their
customer services centre and Quadron’s. The slower reactions and thinner skin.
system will allow us to allocate work in real time to Hot water temperatures
operatives based on skills for the job, location and Scalds result from a combination of water temperature
availability. By using route planning and workforce and duration of exposure, or immersion. At high
management we believe that we will be able to temperatures (around 45°c and upwards) scalds can
reduce cost, but more importantly we will be appear almost instantaneously.
improving the service. However, the skin of children and the elderly is even
Repairs Inspection by Appointment more sensitive to extreme temperatures – scalds occur
We have also introduced pre-inspections by at around 10°c lower for these vulnerable people.
appointment - this is where the work is either
complicated, to the exterior of the home, potentially Maximum set hot water temperatures
expensive or a rechargeable repair following tenant Application Maximum temperature (°c)
damage. Bidet 38
When the repair is phoned through the Customer
Shower 41
Services Advisor will discuss and assess the repair
with the person who reports it. If it is deemed Washbasin 41 (based on running water)
necessary for a pre-inspection to take place an Bath 44 (bath fill temperatures of more
appointment will be offered. than 44°c should only be
This process should make better use of considered in exceptional
maintenance officers’ time and make the overall circumstances and a safe means of
service more efficient. preventing access to the hot water
Luke Mitchell, Head of Property should be devised to protect
vulnerable people.
3
Volunteers needed for Person to
Are you being Person Citizen Advocacy
served? Sometimes a person with a learning disability needs
someone to speak on their behalf.
United Welsh has
What Is Citizen Advocacy?
been working with a
Citizen Advocacy is a long-term one to one relationship between a
group of support
person who has learning difficulties (partner) and a volunteer
providers to set
member of the community (advocate).
standards for the
Some people who have learning difficulties can easily become
United Welsh
isolated and over-looked. The citizen advocate helps to change this
S u p p o r t e d
by;
Housing service.
We now want to consult on • Making sure that their partners rights are respected by helping
them have a voice that is heard;
the standards with all support
providers and tenants. • Helping their partner to develop new relationships and use
existing resources in the local community.
Each standard is divided into gold, silver
and bronze. Bronze shows a basic level of What does Person to Person Citizen Advocacy do?
The project has two aims:
•
service while silver shows that the service
is improving. Gold standard is the highest To identify people with learning difficulties who are in need of a
standard and admittedly aspirational! citizen advocate;
There are slightly different standards for • To recruit, prepare and provide continued support for local
people who wish to become citizen advocates.
temporary and permanent housing.
The areas of service covered by the Advocates
standards are: These are ordinary members of the local community who vary
greatly in their skills and experiences. The one thing they have in
1. Letting
common is a willingness to enter into a long term partnership with
2. Safety and Security a person who has learning difficulties. Advocates come from all
3. Accommodation (communal walks of life and can represent a wide range of cultures and creeds.
areas) Advocates need neither formal qualification nor any particular prior
experience.
4. Tenancy management
Things an advocate might do:
5. Complaints, comments and
appeals • Help their partners to express their views in meetings or
generally with other people;
6. Information and involvement • Help their partner solve their problems;
7. Repairs and maintenance • Ensure that their partner is helped to make choices – maybe
about where to live, what to eat,
8. Equality and Diversity what to wear, who to be with etc.
9. Environmental Impact
We have sent the draft standards to
• Helping their partner to write
letters and make telephone calls;
every service user with The Focus
newsletter and to all the support providers
• Make sure that the other people
in their partner’s life are doing
we work with. their jobs properly.
There will also be a consultation day for
service users on the draft standards in the
• In short, help their partners live a
valued lifestyle in the community
autumn. An example of citizen’s
The working group will be reconvened to advocacy
consider all the comments then we will John, a middle aged man living in
publish the final version of the standards. the community, was really keen to
We would be very grateful find out more about computers -
for your assistance in possibly learning how to use them
commenting on the or maybe to go on a training
standards and in course. With help from his
encouraging advocate who made some
service users enquiries, John enrolled on a
to respond to computer course.
the A few weeks later I met with
consultation John, when asked about the
and/or attend course he beamed and said how much
the event later in he enjoyed it. He added it was great to meet so many friends.
the year. Please If you would like further information,
return all comments to phone Jackie Hughes on 02920 753 291or
Chris Rutson (crutson@uwha.co.uk) e-mail Caerphilly@persontoperson.f9.co.uk
4
4
Development update
Bargoed’s new Health Centre and Library
Bargoed
Health Centre
Bargoed is set to benefit from a
new Heath Centre. United Welsh
is transforming the former Job
Centre at Gilfach Street with a
£1.6m investment.
The 3-storey building was
purchased with £1.1m support
through the Heads of the Valleys
Programme and, when completed, it
will be leased to Gwent Healthcare
NHS Trust.
u
The current health centre is located demolished to pave the way for the new retail development platea
above Bargoed’s library on ‘The Square’ and to assist in creating the pedestrian linkage between the
and these existing facilities are to be Hanbury Square and the new development.
Bargoed Library
Work is currently underway to create a
brand new librar y and customer service
centre within Hanbury Chapel, Bargoed.
The current librar y will be relocated from
its site on the Bargoed plateau.
The scheme is expected to include a cafe, library
facilities, a customer service centre for Caerphilly
County Borough Council and a chapel.
Consultation is currently being conducted to ensure
that the scheme provides the best possible facilities for
the local community
5
5
Training to help people
get back into work
Michelle Smith, Construction Trainee
Co-ordinator for the newly created
Community Investment team at
United Welsh tells us about their
work.
United Welsh is committed to looking at
opportunities for training initiatives and
potential job creation, utilising social inclusion
clauses within the procurement process of our
construction projects and planned
maintenance programme.
We aim to work within the communities
where we provide new developments, housing
and services, to look at ways our work can
benefit the wider economy and local
community through skills training,
apprenticeships and potential employment.
United Welsh works very closely with
JobMatch to identify local people to take up
the opportunities both JobMatch and United
Welsh offer within these communities.
My main role is to develop and maintain
these relationships and support our contractors and the trainees with any issues
that may arise. I am also involved in developing local labour construction initiatives
utilising our Development, Planned Maintenance Program and reactive
maintenance service.
Pictured, United Welsh have several people on site at our new development in
Ystrad Deri, Tredegar .
JobMatch
ation in
The JobMatch project, which has been oper
up to
Blaenau Gwent for the past 3 years, was set
help the economically inactive into work.
t, the
Following the success of the project in Blaenau Gwen
to role
Heads of the Valleys Employment Consortium proposes
as
the project out, alongside mainstream programmes such
Pathways to Work, across the Heads of the Valley s Area.
-
JobMatch has proved to be an extraordinary success
14,000
over the next 5 years JobMatch aims to engage with
existing
people across the region, and by working with new and
through
partners move 10,000 people into employment, put 4,000
training and help at least 2,000 to gain qualifications.
5452
For more information on JobMatch contact 0800 066
6
The event gave tenants and involved took place at several of the
support providers the workshops. We accept there is little
opportunity to comment point in offering opportunities for
on the strategy and to tenant participation if there are
discuss different ways to barriers. Some of the concerns
be involved. raised included the timing of
The general conclusion was meetings, carer needs (tenants have
that people were favourable to care for an adult or child) and
toward the principles outlined in the transport.
strategy and would like to be To implement the strategy, it
given different opportunities to was agreed that an action plan is
United Welsh recently held a
be fully involved. needed and it is important that
very successful event where
It was also accepted that supported housing tenants and
supported housing tenants and
there needs to be a supported
support providers came together support providers are fully
housing representative on the involved. Therefore, we are setting
to discuss the Tenant
executive of voice4tenants (the up a working group to move this
Participation Strategy.
tenants group that represents forward. The membership of this
the interests of all United Welsh tenants). As some group will be United Welsh staff, the Chair of
tenants in supported housing may not be able to give Voice4Tenants, Supported Housing Tenants and
a long term commitment - due to temporary representatives from support providers.
accommodation, for example - it was been agreed If you are interested in being part of this please
that the representation could be shared amongst contact me on 02920 858 140. The draft action plan
several people. Please contact me if you know will be consulted on before it is finalised.
someone who may be interested. Last, but not least, thank you to everyone who
Discussions about what stops tenants being attended the event and made it such a success.
Wendy Doel, We’ll be sleeping in a tent and living on a diet of
Neighbourhood local meat (guinea pig), rice and beans.
Team Administrator Luckily the organisers (www.justdoitforcharity.com)
& Customer have provided us with a very scary looking training
Service Advisor programme, to get us ship shape in no time.
with United Welsh Our trek is to raise money for Llamau, who work
tells us about her with young homeless people in South Wales.
trip to Peru – in aid Altogether I need to raise £2750 and if you would like
of Llamau. to sponsor me, I would be extremely grateful for any
“As everyone at United money pledged. You can do this
Welsh knows by now I have by visiting www.justgiving.com/
decided to hang up my high heels, natashamaguire1
cut off the nails and pack my make-up away to trek the Please help me in reaching my
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with my friend Natasha. target and raising money for
We are leaving in March next year and the trek will Llamau. Your help and support is
last for 10 days. We will be trekking uphill for 10 hours very much appreciated. Wish us
a day and that’s not easy for someone who gets luck!”
shattered just from running up the stairs at home! We
may even experience altitude sickness as we will be Wendy
2,400m above sea level.
Wendy...
La Conquistadora
Machu Picchu 7
United Welsh pledges
support for Credit Union
“ Credit Unions have an important role to play in our communities. United Welsh is
delighted to be offering this support. We’ve been working closely together for some time
and making this partnership more formal will really help to raise awareness of the
service and increase membership. Peter Laing, Chair of United Welsh
“
United Welsh has made a firm commitment Support will be provided to develop marketing
to support the valuable work being done by campaigns and financial inclusion initiatives in order to
the Caerphilly and District Credit Union. raise the profile of the credit union and encourage
Assistance will be provided by United Welsh more local people to save. In addition, two United
to raise awareness of the Credit Union and Welsh employees have been appointed to the Board
help to increase membership. of Directors.
Credit Unions are not for profit organisations and
exist solely to serve their members. A dividend is paid
to members annually on savings, and all Credit Unions
are regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
Pictured left, Peter Laing, Chair of United Welsh, and
Ken Chamberlain, Secretary of Caerphilly & District
“
Credit Union signing the Service Level Agreement.
We currently have over 2,500
members who enjoy a very
competitive financial service. For as little
as £2 people can start saving. The Credit
Union provides great saving opportunities,
advice on developing a savings habit,
“
and access to low cost loans.
Ken Chamberlain, Secretary of Caerphilly & District Credit Union
Chris Rutson, Head of
If you would like to
Support Services tells us
about the benefits of being a know more about
member the Caerphilly &
I first joined the Caerphilly and District Credit District
Union in 1998, because I wanted to support an
Credit Union phone
organisation which helps people on low incomes to get
access to credit without resorting to loan sharks or 029 2088 3751 or
other ways of borrowing with high interest rates. I e-mail:
was a housing officer at the time, with two children Caerphilly@
and little spare cash but my small monthly saving, creditunion.fsnet.co.uk
paid directly from my salary soon mounted up.
Since then I have found the credit union a really
good way to finance major purchases or projects, at
a very low interest rate. In fact they have just
helped me to carry out a garden improvement
project, with which I am very pleased. At the same
time it is a painless way of saving and the credit
union is continuing to help people with limited
access to the usual sources of credit. I would
recommend it to anyone as a way of saving and
borrowing.
8
Triangle launches ‘Rainbow
Mark’ to bridge the LGB
housing needs gap
Triangle Wales has been granted Welsh Assembly
Government (WAG) funding to address the housing needs of
lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people in Wales.
The first phase of the project was to undertake an interested organisations – a kite mark signifying an
extensive research project (commissioned by Trothwy organisation’s commitment and knowledge of the
Cyf and Stonewall Cymru). This research found that specific housing issues and barriers facing LGB
there was inadequate recognition or understanding of people.
the housing needs of LGB people amongst housing As part of the 'Rainbow Mark', there will be criteria
and homelessness service providers in Wales. to meet, and Triangle Wales will follow-up with post-
The research found that there were many types of training assessments and monitoring (and perhaps
housing issues that LGB people encounter, including: even a mystery shopper here and there!). They will
• Harassment in or around the home also be providing certificates, posters and leaflets to
• Negative reactions, actions and attitudes of other
people
participants and helping (where necessary) to re-word
policies, procedures and documents.
• Insensitive allocation of housing Stephen Brattan, Service Manager of Triangle
• Lack of tenancy security if a partner leaves or
dies
Wales says “It is really important that the particular
needs of the lesbian, gay and bisexual community
• Lack of monitoring and evaluation of LGB people,
meaning that needs can be misdiagnosed or
accessing housing are addressed. Trothwy Cyf hopes
that this project assists housing providers in Wales to
ignored take that leap forward in addressing a range of
Consequently, WAG provided the funding to equality and diversity issues and providing a fair and
develop a best-practice toolkit and training package to equal service to those identifying as lesbian, gay or
Local Authority housing and homelessness bisexual”.
departments and Registered Social Landlords across If you are a social housing provider and
Wales. would like to book some training for your
This free training is offered to all staff within these staff (or if you would just like more
organisations to ensure they can ably meet the needs information), please telephone Sarah Jones
of LGB people experiencing housing problems. Two or Claire Purvis on 029 20453030
Training and Policy Co-ordinators have recently been or email: claire.purvis@gwalia.com or
appointed and they will travel across Wales to deliver sarah.l.jones@gwalia.com
bespoke and relevant training direct to housing
providers. United Welsh have been trail-blazers, and
were the first to host 2 days of training in Cardiff and
Caerphilly in April. Since then, many more housing
associations and Local Authorities have followed suit.
Triangle Wales will also award a ‘Rainbow Mark’ to all
United Welsh is delighted to have successfully attracted
S180 funding in a joint bid with Trothwy Cyf to set up a
private sector leasing scheme operating in Caerphilly and
Blaenau Gwent to open up the private sector to vulnerable
...in brief
single people.
A steering group of both our organisations and representatives of the
two local authorities will manage the project.
We are looking forward to working proactively to assist the two local
Private sector authorities with their homelessness prevention agenda in this way.
funding bid will
help vulnerable
single people
9
Where next for Ho
“
...independent research commissioned by the Welsh Assem
saved across a whole range of other social policy areas inc
At a time when public funding is under scrutiny and where polic
funding for SP alongside a more strategic use of resources is cl
What’s the picture like across the UK?
Jocelyn Davies (Plaid) AM:
Before looking at Wales, it might be
interesting to take a look at what is “…on the Supporting People grant, we all have
happening in neighbouring countries: concerns about that, and organisations in the
field are a bit worried about the redistribution,
I remember a time when we were quite jealous of
as you can imagine. So I wonder whether you
how things worked in Scotland – but no longer!
can give an assurance that no project that is
The funding stream - Supporting People - no longer
currently in demand will be cut”
exists. The devolved government decided in October
last year to hand over the funding to local government Edwina Hart AM (Lab):
from April 2008 and it is now part of the general “…I fully appreciate Jocelyn’s comments on the
settlement. Supporting People grant, as it is something that
A new way of working on established outcomes we are very aware of. I have been lobbied by
for the whole of public service delivery was Assembly Members and the groups, and we
developed between devolved and local government are taking an interest in what is going on. We
and many, although not all, funding streams became are particularly concerned that any changes in
part of one pot. This means that there is no the formula should not disadvantage anyone.
information held centrally, no monitoring, no way of That work is ongoing, and there will be a report
knowing how much money is being spent on housing back to the relevant committee in due course.”
related support and no knowledge of what services
are being delivered. As ever, the world of housing related support has
As the time between the decision being made and moved on since then, other issues have dominated
its implementation was so short, LAs are in some and other processes been set in motion – so where
cases issuing 6 month contracts while they work out are we now?
what they’re going to do next. In March this year the Welsh Assembly
In England competition appears to rule; mergers commissioned consultants, LE Wales, to carry out a
are becoming more common and many local feasibility study into whether a redistribution formula
authorities are trying to save money by reducing the could be established that would be fair and equitable.
number of providers they work with. Concerns This will be submitted to the Deputy Minister over the
around the role and sustainability of specialist summer so we should expect a decision soon.
services are rife and funding has been cut centrally. Cymorth’s position on this issue is clear:
In Northern Ireland other priorities had meant There’s no doubt that the way in which SP was set up
that SP was under the radar and inflationary led to a “postcode lottery” for people in Wales needing
increases had been awarded each year – not any housing related support.
more. Funding is being cut for the next three years People living in some areas are able to get help
as in England. because their local authority was able to “maximise the
So Wales is the only part of the UK where the pot” while for others, where for whatever reason the
next two years will see slight increases in the budget local authority did not set up as many new services,
– and while this is clearly good news, especially when access is much more limited.
we look around at what’s happening in other areas –
We strongly believe though, that
there are still issues to raise…
nowhere in Wales are there more services
What’s happening with redistribution? than are needed and even in those areas
The following exchange took place some time ago where there is a range of services, there
now (in March 2007) between the then Minister are still waiting lists and difficult decisions
responsible, Edwina Hart AM and our new Deputy being taken over prioritising what will be
Minister for Housing, Jocelyn Davies AM: funded and who can gain access.
10ousing Related Support?
mbly demonstrated that for every £1 spent on SP; at least £1.68 is
cluding health and wellbeing and community safety.
cymakers are looking to use funding more effectively, additional
“
early a smarter way to target public funding on what works.
As with any public services to vulnerable people,
the current situation – where access is ruled more by
• The new funding allocated must be used for
addressing the mismatch in available services and
opportunity than need – is not desirable or need and not for funding other public services.
acceptable.
But can we afford it?
However, it would be equally unfair, if
due to changes in how a funding stream The argument against the above approach is cost but
was distributed a vulnerable person in one this is not valid – independent research commissioned
part of Wales lost their support, so that a by the Welsh Assembly demonstrated that for every £1
person in another part of the country could spent on SP; at least £1.68 is saved across a whole
be helped. range of other social policy areas including health and
wellbeing and community safety.
Cymorth Cymru’s position on re-distribution is
clear and based on straight forward principles: At a time when public funding is under scrutiny and
where policymakers are looking to use funding more
• We accept that the way in which SP was
introduced was more opportunistic than strategic
effectively, additional funding for SP alongside a more
strategic use of resources is clearly a smarter way to
and that there is now a mismatch between levels
target public funding on what works.
of social deprivation and the number of services
available. Finally…
• This is not the fault of the Welsh Assembly, local
authorities, providers – nor – and most
I’m glad to say that our position has the support of a
range of partner organisations including:
importantly – the people who need services. It
was the result of how the UK government
• Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru
implemented the programme. • Community Housing Cymru
• The current arrangements are not fair to • Denbighshire County Council
vulnerable people living in parts of Wales where
few services were set up when SP was • RNIB Cymru
introduced. • Rough Sleepers Cymru
• Equally, re-distributing SP so that a well used
service in one part of Wales loses funding so that
• Shelter Cymru
a service in another part of Wales can be • WCVA
established is unjust. We will be submitting a report to the Deputy Minister
• Re-distribution therefore must be accompanied by
additional funding so this doesn’t happen.
that will flesh out this position and put forward how the
contribution of housing related support and related
services can be maximized further.
• All current services should be protected – a
vulnerable person currently using a service
Our thanks to members who have contributed
ideas and if any others would like to contribute, please
should only lose it because they do not need it
contact Joy at joykent@cymothcymru.org.uk
anymore and projects should only be closed or
remodeled because they aren’t working or aren’t Joy Kent, Cymorth Cymru
needed.
• Where the formula demonstrates that more
services should be developed, this should be
Contact Cymorth Cymru
Tel: 029 2055 3687
done with new money over a number of years Email:
until the number of services across Wales info@cymorthcymru.org.uk
matches the levels of need indicated.
11Earlier this year Oak The strategy was trialled through a pilot
Cardiff County Council Re-settlement strategy House signed up to
the Cardiff County
Council Re-settlement
scheme which included Oak House (as well as
four other hostel/supported accommodation
providers), Cardiff County Council and all RSL’s
strategy as one of five with properties in Cardiff. The aim was to focus
pilot projects in the on a small number of referring organisations to
city. David Owen from create a coherent workable system.
Cardiff County Council With excellent co-operation from all the
and Kieran Towler, organisations involved the pilot proved a success
manager of Oak and is now being expanded to include all other
House, tell us about their progress. hostel/ supported accommodation providers
Cardiff is well served with a range of within Cardiff.
temporary accommodation in the form of direct Kieran said: “The setting up of the agreement
access hostels and a variety of other types of was very easy and the Council have worked in a
specialist secondary supported accommodation. very pro-active way listening to the people
However, the lack of access to permanent settled involved in the pilot and making any changes
accommodation for service users who are ready through good consultation.
to move on can be dispiriting. It also reduces the
So far Oak House has benefited from two
availability of this type of accommodation for
people moving-on; one to a housing association
those who desperately need it.
property and the other to a Council property.
The need to address this issue and develop a From a hostel point of view, the fact that one of
more co-ordinated, integrated city-wide the conditions for the person moving on is that
resettlement strategy was recognised by the they receive floating support gives added peace
multi-agency Homelessness Strategy of mind that this person will succeed and
(Accommodation) Group. maintain their tenancy.
It was decided to devote an allocation of social The process has been well explained by the
housing solely to resettling vulnerable individuals Council with the dedicated officer taking the time
who could not manage in the private sector, from to come to the project and explain the strategy to
hostels, certain hospitals and supported lodging staff, and this has enabled us to make sure that
schemes. This would both assist the Council in we are placing the right people through the
carrying out its statutory duty towards homeless service.
people in Cardiff and prevent bed blockages in
All in all our experiences so far have been
much needed supported accommodation.
positive and are definitely helping with the issue
Due to applicants’ vulnerability (which could of bed blocking. I hope there is future scope for
be related to issues like inexperience of living this service to spread wider and further assist
independently or health difficulties), floating with residents’ move on.”
support would be provided to help tenants
For more information speak to Kieran
resettle into communities thus reducing the
at Oak House on 02920 444 524 or
likelihood for tenancy failure and anti-social
contact the Housing team at Cardiff
behaviour.
County Council on 02920 872 000.
The re-settlement strategy gives the
opportunity for single people to receive one
priority offer of accommodation after they pass an
“
application process with the Council.
The setting up of
the agreement was very
easy and the Council
have worked in a very
pro-active way listening
to the people involved in
“
the pilot and making any
changes through good
consultation.
Kieran Towler,
manager of Oak House
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