1 About Ability Housing Association
2 Living in your Ability home
3 Your repairs service
4 Money matters
5 Your support services
a. What type of support does Ability provide?
b. Some frequently asked questions about support
- What is housing with support?
- How can I access the support services?
d. Floating Support:
- What is Floating Support?
- How can I access the Floating Support service?
6 Useful stuff
We aim to provide a responsive support service to people with physical disabilities, learning disabilities or sensory disabilities and, in certain circumstances, to people with mental health-related support needs.We do this by providing practical support, advice and assistance to you in your home.
All of our support services are designed to maximise your respect, dignity, independence, choice of your own life.
a. What type of support does Ability provide?
The team provides support that promotes independent living, including:
- Assistance with learning independent living skills
- Advice and assistance with claiming welfare benefits and Housing Benefit
- Advice and assistance with budgeting and managing your bills
- Advice on aids and adaptations to your home
- Assistance with reporting repairs to your home and managing your tenancy
- General counselling and support with day to day living
- Assistance with arranging personal care and contacting other agencies involved in your care and welfare.
We regret that our Housing SupportWorkers cannot provide personal care directly but can help and advise you with making suitable arrangements for your personal care.
b. Some frequently asked questions about support
Here are some frequently asked questions about our support services.
What happens when I ask for support?
A Housing SupportWorker will arrange to meet with you. They will complete an assessment of your needs and draw up a support plan based on the information that you have provided.
How long will support be available to me?
The support period and frequency varies depending on your individual needs. This will be set out in your support plan and will be reviewed at least once every six months. You can ask for a review of your support plan at any time if you feel your needs have changed.
Is there a charge for this service?
If you receive Housing Benefit there will be no charge for the service. If you do not receive Housing Benefit, then the amount you will be asked to pay will depend on your circumstances and the charging policy of your local authority. Ability can assist and advise you with claiming benefits and managing your money.
Who can apply for this service?
People with a physical or sensory disability, people with a learning disability and, in certain circumstances, people with a mental health-related support need can apply for support services.
Will you hold personal information about me or my circumstances?
Our Housing SupportWorkers will keep records relating to the work that they are doing with you and you have the right to access any of this information.
Is the service confidential?
Yes – Ability is a registered data controller under the Data Protection Act. There may be a need to discuss your circumstances with other service providers. If this is the case,we will always ask you to give your consent for information to be shared.
Who do I ask for more information?
Contact your Ability Area Manager.
c. Housing with Support
What is Housing with Support?
Housing with Support, or Supported Housing as it is sometimes called, usually involves you moving into an Ability property where there are Housing SupportWorkers based at the scheme. The housing will have been specially designed or adapted to meet your needs, and the provision of housing will be linked to the provision of support. The support provided may be quite intensive and may be available for all or most of the day.
Sometimes, Housing with Support is offered for a limited time to provide you with an opportunity to develop and learn the skills you need for independent living before you move on to a home of your own.
Some of our Housing with Support is furnished or part furnished, but you can always use your own furniture if you wish. You can also decorate your own room and choose your own colours.
How can I access the support services?
To access Housing with Support you will need to apply for housing with Ability. In most circumstances, your local council will have the right to nominate applicants for housing with Ability and your best bet will always be to register with your council housing department first. You should let your council know that you think you need Housing with Support and ask them to nominate you to your local Ability scheme.
You can get help to apply from:
- Your care manager, social worker or occupational therapist
- The Supporting People team at your local authority
- Any advice or support agency
- You can apply directly.
d. Floating Support
What is Floating Support?
Floating Support is a flexible support service that helps you manage your affairs and to live independently. Our Housing SupportWorkers are specially trained to provide help and advice to disabled people in their own home. The support offered is available for as long as it is needed.
Your Housing SupportWorker will discuss this with you and will draw up a plan with you that sets out what support we will provide and how and when that support will be delivered. The level of support can increase or decrease as your needs change.
How can I access the Floating Support service?
Ability’s Floating Support service is available to tenants of Ability Housing Association and, in certain areas, to people who are not tenants of Ability. This can include council tenants, tenants of other housing associations, owner occupiers or people living in private rented accommodation.
Floating Support can be accessed via a referral from:
- Your Housing Officer
- Your care manager, social worker or occupational therapist
- The Supporting People team at your local authority
- Any advice or support agency
- Or you can apply directly.