Last Reviewed: 20/10/2014

Last reviewed: 20/10/2014

HADS

13 Cartwright Court

Bradley Business Park

Dyson Wood Way

Huddersfield

HD2 1GN

01484 411870

Selection and Allocation Policy

Introduction

HADS is part of Horton Housing Association, which is a not for profit organisation that aims to provide accommodation for people in need of housing support who find it difficult to access mainstream services. This policy complements Horton Housing Association’s Selection and Allocation Policy, and can be read in conjunction with the HADS Service Description and other relevant policies, particularly the Equality and Diversity Policy. All can be found on the web site:

Brief Description of HADS

HADS stands for Homelessness, Alcohol and Drugs Service. It is a floating support service that supports anyone aged 16+ to access and maintain their own tenancies across Kirklees. There are two parts to this scheme:

i) People with drug or alcohol issues who are experiencing housing related problems.

ii) Single people, couples and families, who are homeless, including those living in temporary accommodation.

Aims & Objectives

Our aims are:

To provide a high quality housing related support service to vulnerable people, which is responsive to their needs, circumstances and aspirations, in order to prevent them becoming homeless.
To support people in addressing and/or managing the problems caused by their use of drugs / alcohol.
To support and encourage clients to develop existing skills and gain confidence in their ability to manage their own homes.
To help people move successfully from temporary into permanent accommodation.

Our objectives are to:

In order to meet the above aims, the scheme objectives are:

To work with people referred to the service to assess their support needs and draw up agreed plans of housing related support tailored to their individual needs and circumstances;
To provide intervention and crisis support to clients to prevent their situation worsening and maintain their accommodation and avoid eviction;
To work with our clients to enable them to gain confidence and develop the skills required to manage their home as independently as possible;
To engage positively with clients who are socially excluded and have difficulty in accessing services;
To identify and liaise with any additional source of support which may be required and make referrals or assist the client with accessing other relevant agencies for support, for example, drugs / alcohol agencies, Housing Solutions, Housing Officers, G.Ps, Benefits Agency;
To contact other agencies where there is concern for the client's well being;
To assist clients to resolve problems related to drugs and alcohol use and homelessness;
To reduce waste in resources, by ensuring that resources invested by one service (e.g. drug treatment) are not jeopardised by inadequate support and accommodation;
To meet the particular needs of substance users in touch with the criminal justice system;
To enable clients to succeed in their desire to build new lives;
To monitor and evaluate service provision.

Services Provided

The range of services provided can include the following:

Assistance in setting up and maintaining a home or tenancy.
Assistance with maximising welfare benefits income.
Intervention and crisis support
Assistance with establishing personal safety and security.
Advocacy and liaison with utility services or other relevant agencies.
Assistance with moving accommodation.
Emotional support during stressful times to try and prevent loss of accommodation through inability to cope.
Motivation to develop confidence around budgeting and domestic skills.
Encouragement to become more widely involved in community activities and to establish and maintain support networks where appropriate.
Advice with issues around home maintenance and self care
Support and advice surrounding drug and alcohol use

Please note that the scheme is only able to provide housing related support. We

are unable to provide assistance with personal care (e.g. cooking, cleaning, Home Care).

Eligibility Criteria for HADS

To be eligible to receive services from the scheme, the applicant must be 16+and meet the following criteria:

Vulnerable and in need of housing related support.

And

Homeless, including those who are in temporary accommodation, sofa surfing or sleeping rough

At risk of losing a home, or not accessing or sustaining a home because of support needs due to substance use.

If you have any special needs or requirements we will see if we can meet them as part of the initial assessment.

We do not provide a service that includes bathing, cleaning, shopping or other tasks generally referred to as ‘personal care’

Ineligibility for HADS

Applicants are likely to be ineligible for HADS in the following circumstances:

Clients will only be denied a service for the following reasons:

In the opinion of the staff team, the risks involved in delivering the service are too great.
It is felt that the needs of the client are beyond the scope of the scheme, or that there is little prospect of the client being able to move towards independent living.
No specific support needs were identified during the assessment.

There are no "blanket" exclusions - each application will be considered on an individual basis.

Referral Procedure

Applicants may apply directly for the service, or a referral can be made on their behalf by a representative, for example a Social Worker, landlord (including Local Authority Housing Officers & RSL’s), CPN, Advice agency or any other party involved in supporting the applicant.

Referrals can be made in any of the following ways:

In writing or in person: HADS

13 Cartwright Court

Bradley Business Park

Dyson Wood Way

Huddersfield

HD2 1GN

Telephone: 01484 411870

Fax: 01484 514807

E-mail:

Website:

Assessment Procedure

Once we have the referral details, we will offer an initial assessment date, which will be within one week. This will be confirmed in writing. It will take place in the applicant's own home or at a mutually agreed venue.

All applicants will be assessed against the above criteria using an up-to-date version of the organisations Needs and Risk Assessment Tool. This will include an interview with the applicant. Whilst some of the information requested may be seen as intrusive, it will only be sought insofar as it is needed to enable an accurate analysis of the scheme’s ability to deliver a package of support. This is also an opportunity for the applicant to find out more about the service and decide whether they would like to take it up.

The assessment will be carried out by at least two members of staff, but may also include third parties invited by either the staff team or the applicant. Such third parties would normally only be invited in order to facilitate the process of carrying out an effective interview. Examples might include other professionals with more detailed knowledge of the applicant, or difficulties that they experience, an interpreter or a friend who is able to offer additional support.

Upon completion of the assessment, the assessors, who will consult more widely with the scheme manager or other colleagues where decisions are felt to be complicated, will consider the findings. A decision as to whether or not to offer a service will then be taken.

All information received will be treated in accordance with the organisation’s Confidentiality Policy.

If, following the assessment, it is felt that the applicant meets the criteria as outlined above, they will be contacted within one week and informed that they will be offered a service. Whilst this may be done verbally, confirmation will always be put in writing.

Equality and Diversity

HHA aims to provide equal, fair access and provision of services to all applicants and clients. We aim to eradicate discrimination and unfairness on any grounds including:

Age
Disability
Gender reassignment
Marriage and civil partnership
Pregnancy and maternity
Race
Religion and belief
Sex
Sexual orientation

We are committed to developing an organisational culture which values people from all sections of society and the contribution that each individual can make.

We recruit and train staff to make sure that they understand and are sensitive to particular needs of clients from minority ethnic communities and other disadvantaged groups.

A client’s right to be treated with respect and in confidence will be upheld by all members of our staff team.

Monitoring

The selection and allocation process will be monitored to identify potential areas of discrimination, assess changing patterns of need and to inform future strategies.

Our Contact Details

HADS

13 Cartwright Court

Bradley Business Park

Dyson Wood Way

Huddersfield

HD2 1GN

01484 411870

Website

Further information about HADS can be found in the Service Description, which is available from the scheme or from HHA’s website.