Housing

Housing:

When you start to leave care and approach 18, your Social Worker and Personal Adviser will discuss with you about different housing options for your future. You have told us that you would like this to be planned earlier so your Social Workers and Independent Reviewing Officers will start to discuss this from when you are 16.

Your Social Worker and Personal Adviser will update your Pathway Plan Part 1 to discuss what support they think you may need with housing and what type of accommodation would best meet your needs.

We wanted to give you as much information as possible about different housing routes for when you are 16 onwards so have a look at each section.

Your own Tenancy:

Under One Roof

Under One Roof is the name of the new way to find a home in St Helens. Under One Roof is a partnership between St Helens Council, Helena Housing and all the other housing associations in the borough. It has been designed to allow people more choice in the housing available to them by advertising the available properties every fortnight in a range of locations. Almost all of the housing properties in St Helens are advertised through Under One Roof so it is the main way of renting a housing association property.

How can I join?
Anyone aged 16 and above can apply to become a member of Under One Roof. There are rules of membership, which are explained in the application pack.

Where are properties advertised?
Available properties are advertised in the St Helens Star and Reporter newspapers on a fortnightly basis (alongside the Estate Agency Sections) and information is also available in Helena Housing Association local offices, St Helens Contact Centre and at the Housing Options and Advice Service. The Under One Roof website also contains information on the properties available.

How long would I have to wait before I find a property?
This depends on your current circumstances. When you apply to Under One Roof your needs will be assessed and you will be placed in a 'Band' from A-D according to your needs. As a St Helens Care Leaver you will receive Band A status. It is then up to you to choose ('bid' for) the properties you are interested in. At the end of each cycle, the property is offered to the person who is in the highest band. If there are two people in the same band then it then goes on date of membership.

How can I find out more information?
Please call 01744 636363 to speak to a member of the Under One Roof team or visit www.under-one-roof.org.uk. You can also speak to your Social Worker or Personal Adviser who will offer support.

Renting From a Private Landlord

There is a growing private rented sector in St Helens and for many people renting from a private landlord provides a flexible alternative to the social rented sector.

There are a number of advantages of renting privately, such as the ability to move in quickly, no waiting lists, flexibility around lengths of tenancy and choice of location and house type. However, some people find that the deposit and rent in advance can prevent them from considering this option. The Care Leavers financial policy highlights that, if there are no other sources of support available, there is financial support available for St Helens Care Leavers to obtain a deposit/bond.

St Helens Council wants to raise standards in the private rented sector to ensure that properties rented out are decent and that landlords operate in a professional and fair manner. The Council has established a Landlords' Forum and developed an Accreditation System, which will award good private landlords with a status that will help local residents when choosing where to live.

If you are looking to rent from a private landlord then please note the following advice:

Finding Accommodation

There are many Accommodation Agencies in St Helens who let and manage properties on behalf of private landlords. Details of these agencies can be found in the Yellow Pages or in the local newspapers. The local papers all contain details of properties to rent.

Local colleges can also be a good information source for students looking to rent accommodation.

If you are not working, check that the landlord will accept Housing Benefit payments and make sure you have applied for assistance and that you can meet the monthly rent due - don't over commit yourself financially.

Work out the average request for a deposit and rent in advance and ensure you have this available before you sign.

Make sure you are given a tenancy agreement that sets out your rights and responsibilities - the Housing Options and Advice Service can provide you with advice on this issue.

If you are renting a part furnished / fully furnished property, ensure that an inventory is completed before you move in.

For more information on the Landlords' Forum or Landlord Accreditation, you can contact the Private Sector Liaison Officer at St Helens Council on 01744 671 639. For general advice on private renting, please contact the HO&AS on 01744 675150.

Supported accommodation:

Ravenhead Foyer

Friendly, welcoming and non-judgmental places to live - Ravenhead Foyer provide temporary accommodation and support services with a difference. To live in Ravenhead Foyer you must agree to a learning contract in return for your accommodation. We will encourage you to succeed, help you to learn key life-skills and encourage you to get an education, training and find work.

During your stay you must demonstrate that you are serious in achieving your aspirations by following the scheme's learning programme or your own agreed learning programme. Ravenhead Foyer has a communal lounge, chill-out areas, learning spaces, a virtual gym, an IT suite and a garden. If you would like to find out more you can speak to Ravenhead Foyer or your Social Worker/Personal Adviser. You will also be able to arrange visit to Ravenhead Foyer.

Ravenhead Foyer, Harris Gardens, Sherdley Road, St Helens, WA9 5DL Tel: 01925 593400.

Meyrick Court

Meyrick Court is a purpose-built development of nine self-contained, one-bedroom flats and two two-bedroom flats situated in Newton-le-Willows, and is owned by Maritime Housing Association. Tenancies are granted on an assured short-hold basis and are furnished or part furnished.

The project caters for young men or women aged between 16-25 who require some support to maintain independent living. The project can accommodate parents with children.

There is an office on site, which is staffed by support workers during office hours and offers a drop-in service for tenants requiring advice or information. An out-of-hours service is available and full housing management is also provided.

Referrals are accepted from any agency and direct applications are also accepted. Once an application is received you will be invited to attend a meeting with a support worker where a comprehensive housing needs assessment will be completed. References will be asked for.

You will be allocated a support worker who will agree with you a support plan, which will be updated regularly. The support provided includes health, advocacy/communication, budgeting and advice on claiming benefits, accessing training, education or employment.

It is a condition of the tenancy that support is required and accepted. When you no longer require support, assistance will be given to move on to more permanent accommodation and some transitional support will be made available for a short period.

Contact details
Tel: 01925 291077
Email: meyrickcourt@shap.org.uk

OneSixTwo Residential Resettlement Project

The OneSixTwo project is an eight-bedded, purpose-built residential project on Boundary Road, near St Helens town centre.

The project carers for single young men or women aged between 16-25 who require intensive support to help them gain the knowledge and skills they require to live independently. You can live at the project for up to two years and tenure is granted via a licence agreement.

The project accepts referrals from any agency and also accepts direct applications. Once an application is received you are invited to the project informally to have a look around and to arrange a more formal interview and housing needs assessment. This can be done with your Carer, Personal Adviser or Social Worker.

The project is staffed 24 hours per day and you are allocated a keyworker from the staff team. The staff will assist residents to claim benefits, access training, education or employment. A modular approach to resettlement is undertaken and young people will complete modules on budgeting and debt, cooking and nutrition, health, hygiene in the home and practical DIY, among others. Once the modules have been completed staff will assist you to move on to independent living or to other accommodation requiring less intensive support. Transitional support will then be provided for a short period.

You have your own self-contained flat. Assistance will be given to prepare and cook nutritious meals. Each flat is fully furnished and there is a communal lounge where group activities and demonstrations take place. The project has clear house rules and alcohol or drugs are not allowed within the building. A weekly charge is made for heating and lighting on top of the rental charge. You must pay this directly from your income.

For more information visit OneSixTwo website.
Tel: 01744 611679
Email: 162PrescotRoadTeam@shap.org.uk

Selina Cooper House

Young Parents Residential and Floating Support Service

We offer residential accommodation and support within the community to teenage parents and expectant parents aged 16 to 25.

The Residential Service, which is based in the Parr area of St Helens, consists of seven self-contained, fully furnished maisonettes. Some have two bedrooms and others have three. There is a large communal play area on the ground floor and staff are on site 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Selina Cooper House provides a high level of support to prepare you to become a positive, confident parent who is able to manage and maintain an independent tenancy in the community. Selina Cooper House aims to achieve this within a six- month period. After completing an assessment of your needs, your designated key worker will work with you to formulate a support plan which incorporates a programme of learning. This covers:

• Budgeting and home finances.
• Meal planning, cooking and shopping.
• Preparing for parenthood.
• Childcare and development.
• Healthy lifestyle including breastfeeding.
• Preparing for independence, home maintenance, avoiding anti social behaviour.
• Managing and minimising risks.
• Accessing services and community resources.
• Healthy relationships/understanding and avoiding domestic abuse.
• Maintaining emotional wellbeing.
• Where and how to access specialist support from other agencies.

Referrals to the Residential Service can be made by social care workers, any health professional involved and by St Helens Housing Options Team.

The Floating Support Team provide you with support when you leave Selina Cooper House. They also provide support if you are already living independently but require support to manage your tenancy and help to improve your parenting skills. Referrals can be made by any professional agency involved with you.

The service works in partnership with all professional agencies involved and will also contribute to any safeguarding procedures. Referrals made by social care must include any parenting assessments or plans.

For more information visit the Selina Cooper House website.
Tel: 01744 322381
Email: selinacooperhouse@shap.org.uk

Sherdley House

Sherdley House is an emergency project for young, homeless people aged between 16-21. Referrals usually come from the local Housing Options and Advice Centre. However, they can take referrals from other agencies and professionals.

Sherdley House provide a safe, short-term, intensively supported place for you at the point of homelessness. Staff will work with you and perhaps professionals working with you to complete an assessment of your housing and support needs.

You will receive advice and assistance to claim benefits, access education, training or employment.

What do I have to do?

Work with the staff to help complete your assessment and identify somewhere to move on to on a longer-term basis. Ensure you apply for benefits and make your housing benefit claim within 48 hours of your arrival. Don't worry, staff can help you with this.

Is that all I have to do?

You will be expected to contribute to your assessment by attending regular key worker sessions with staff. You will need to keep to the house rules and pay your personal contribution.

Do I have to cook and clean?

Yes. However, Sherdley House appreciate that you may never have cooked for yourself before, so breakfast and evening meals will be provided. Your flat will have a small kitchen area so you are able to prepare snacks. Each week you will receive some basic essentials such as milk, bread and butter. You will be given the opportunity to help the hostel assistants in preparing meals for everyone.

During your stay you can also assist staff in the kitchen if you wish. You can also help to plan the menu. There is a cleaner who cleans the communal areas, but you are expected to take responsibility for keeping your flat clean and the general tidiness within the project.

What else is there to know?

The project is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Alcohol is not tolerated within the project. You have your own flat key; you do not have to share a room.

When you arrive you will be provided with a towel and toiletries. There is also a laundry where you can wash and dry your clothes.

Visitors are allowed only in communal areas.

If you need any more information, please visit the Sherdley House website.

Tel: 01744 451927
Email: sherdleyhouse@shap.org.uk 

Solo House

Solo consists of eight two-bedroom furnished houses. These are located throughout the St Helens area and are operated in partnership with Riverside Housing Association. 

The project caters for single parents and young people who need high levels of support to enable them to live independently. 

All of the properties are fully furnished and there is provision for the properties to be staffed overnight in crisis situations. 

Referrals are accepted from any agency and direct applications are also accepted. Once an application is received you will be invited to attend a meeting with one of our support workers, where a comprehensive housing needs assessment will be completed. References will be asked for.

You will be allocated a support worker who will provide support to you for up to 10 hours per week. Additional support can be provided for short periods if necessary in crisis situations. The support worker will agree a support plan with you and this will be reviewed regularly.

The support should include: parenting advice, health, budgeting, shopping, cooking and advice on claiming benefits, accessing training, education or employment. 

As your support needs reduce, the support worker will assist you in moving to either independent accommodation or other accommodation requiring less support. Transitional support will be provided for a short period.

For more information, see the Solo House website.

Bluebell Court

Bluebell Court is located in St Helens and provides support and accommodation for women aged 16-55. Our support promotes independence and they help you move into your own accommodation. Bluebell Court has 20 fully furnished, self-contained flats and excellent communal facilities, which include a lounge, training kitchen, gardens and training room.

For more information, see the Bluebell Court website.

Accomodation with adult services:

• St Helens Council Home
• CareLeavers
• Housing
• Accommodation with Adult Services

You may require support from Adult Services. Your Social Worker or Personal Adviser will complete a referral to Adult Services and an assessment will be completed. This assessment will look at your support needs; dependent upon the outcome of this assessment a Social Worker from Adult Services may remain involved and support you in finding accommodation to meet your needs.

Staying put:

Supported lodging:

• St Helens Council Home
• CareLeavers
• Housing
•  Supported Lodgings - STEPS

Supported lodgings offer young people an opportunity to benefit from the supported atmosphere of a family home. Steps Supported Lodgings (SSL) helps young people aged 16-25 who are homeless/at risk of experiencing housing difficulties or who are transitioning to living independently. SSL aims to help develop positive relationships and effective support mechanisms for you and the hosts/householders who accommodate you. SSL provides stable, settled and supportive accommodation for you where you can develop your skills as you move towards independence.

SSL is designed to ensure you receive consistent adult support which is tailored to meet your specific needs. Young people are referred to SHAP's Steps project through various agencies and services, such as social services, schools, colleges or training providers. During the referral we attempt to find out as much as we can about your background. This background information will help us to find a suitable match with a host/householder.

You will be allocated a support co-coordinator who will look at your individual support needs. A support plan is produced to enable the service to address and monitor your needs. The support plan will include things like help with benefit claims, engaging with further education, training or careers advice. The Steps project worker will maintain regular contact with the you and the host/householder throughout the duration of the scheme.

SHAP will undertake recruitment, selection, assessment, vetting and approval of hosts/carers, their accommodation and capacity to work with you in an unsupervised home environment. SHAP will also provide general skills development, training and sharing of best practice events for hosts/householders.

For more information you can speak to your Social Worker, Personal Adviser or SHAP on 01744 454 056.

Rights and advice:

Hopefully, this has provided you with some information to help inform your housing decisions. The Housing Options and Advice Service can provide access to a wide range of information and specialist advisers to ensure that you make the right move. For more information or to speak to an adviser, please call 01744 675150.

If you require any further advice on your rights, you can make contact with the St.Helens Citizens Advice. 

Citizens Advice St Helens
Millennium Centre
Corporation Street
St Helens
WA10 1HJ

Advice Line:
03448 269 694