Disability Support Service in Southampton
Who do we help?
In touch provides a specialist service for people with learning and/or physical disability living within Southampton between the age of 16 to 65. The service offers a range of housing floating support and accomodation based ‘move-on’ support. We can also provide support to young people, 16 to 17 years old, who are considering moving to their own accommodation. In addition, this service has a Personalisation element (in the form of a fund) to support the aims and outcomes of the customers.
The floating support service provides person centred support to people who are experiencing housing need alongside having a learning and/or physical disability. We support customers to develop independent living skills in order for them to maintain and sustain their tenancies, to prevent eviction or to move to more appropriate housing.
The accommodation based ‘move-on’ service offers intensitive housing support to enable people to the develop the skills and confidence to ‘move-on’ to more permanent accommodation.
About this service
The floating support service works with around 80 people at any one time. People can use this service regardless of what kind of accommodation they live in whether it is council accommodation, private rented, housing association, or even if they are homeless.
The accommodation based ‘move-on’ service supports 13 people for up to two years or longer in some cases. When customers move on into more idependent living in the local area we offer resettlement support to assist in the transition.
Each customer is assigned a support worker who regularly meets with their clients, how often will depend on the individuals needs. This is worked out and agreed at the beginning of the service and is regularly reviewed.
Outside of these support visits, clients can contact the in touch ‘Dlsabilities’ support team at the St Mary Street office, Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 6pm to receive extra advice or support.
We maintain good links with specialist services in the area such as the local Social Services and Care teams in order to provide extra, more specialist support.
We work with people to identify their needs and to find ways to achieve their goals.
The support can focus on things like housing, money and community activities. This is agreed in a Personal Development Plan, which we regularly review with customers.
What next?
The support received will not cost you anything as it is funded by the Supporting People Team at Southampton City Council.
Referrals to the scheme are made through the Disabilities Supported Accommodation Panel that meets monthl in Southampton. Referral forms can be obtained by contacting Southampton City Council or by email Deborah Dunnett
If you would like to have a chat about this service or find out any additional information please contact:
Danny Barker Service Manager
Tel: 023 80 836896