Housing case-studies: Cambridge Supported Housing and Cornwall Floating Support

Rethink services aim to promote independence, and so its housing services are focussed on supporting people in their own homes.

The Cambridge Supported Housing service provides low-level supported housing to eight people over the age of 65, where they live independently in a small community and each is supported by a key-worker from Rethink who provides emotional and practical help. This service provides long-term accommodation – there is no expectation that residents should move on as their individual needs change as a result of ageing, and personal care is provided by other agencies.

“Our support workers help residents find activities which they will enjoy and find meaningful and help them develop a routine. We offer tailor-made support programmes, which cater to the residents’ own interests,” said service manager Maria Cabrita.

“We also offer some emotional support and liaise with other services that residents may require. If they are not independent enough to go out alone we’ll go with them, maybe doing a journey for the first time to help familiarise them with it.”

Rethink tries to encourage the residents to get involved in the service and arranges weekly house meetings where they can discuss any issues that arise. Staff also arrange social activities such as afternoon tea, games and gardening.

The service was commissioned by Cambridgeshire County Council and set up in 2005 in a new building that belongs to a local housing association.

Rethink, in partnership with Clearsprings Management Ltd and Coastline Housing took over the 'Supporting People' contract for the provision of floating support in two areas of Cornwall on 1 April 2007. The service provides housing related floating support to a wide range of vulnerable and disadvantaged people including older people, young people leaving care, homeless families, people using drugs and alcohol and people with learning disabilities. Rethink is working predominantly in the North Cornwall and Caradon areas of the county.

Before the service launched, existing and new staff came together for a two-day team building and induction event.
“This resulted in good morale and a positive attitude within the team which is still there,” said area service manager Ian Bowden.

“There is a mix of specialisms within the team so we are able to support the whole range of people that we work with.”

The service had 140 people using the service on 1 April 2007 and the team worked with each person to develop a new support plan. This resulted in some people leaving the service as it became clear that their needs could be better met with a different form of support. Expectations were also managed so that individuals and their care co-ordinators knew what they could expect from the new service.

The service has received a number of new referrals which has filled any gaps created by people leaving and it is anticipated that the service will grow even further.

“One of the biggest challenges we face is the huge geographical area that we cover. It’s very time-consuming for staff to get around and to be able to get their work done in the time they have,” said Ian. The Sharepoint management information system addresses this issue by allowing staff to update service user records remotely via the internet. Combined with a flexible working practice, staff thus avoid unnecessary travelling to a central office  enabling them to spend their time more effectively.