Southdown Rough Sleepers Initiative (RSI) is a Band 3 service in the Brighton and Hove Integrated Pathway for homelessness. The aim of the service is to support former rough sleepers by providing accommodation to help move on from hostel accommodation. The RSI Move On Service intends to act as a stepping stone from homeless hostels within Brighton to fully independent living.
Applicants are offered a self contained flat by Southdown with additional specialist resettlement support to enable people to develop and embed skills for them to be able to successfully manage their own home.
Clients have an agreed planned programme of support that acknowledges their existing strengths and identifies other areas that they would like additional support to resolve or improve.
Southdown is able to provide up to 3 hours support a week to each person, although this is flexible to meet individual needs (dependent on staff capacity). The service is available Monday to Thursday 9am – 5pm and Friday 9am – 4.30pm during which time, flexible and regular contact is available to support the needs of the client.
Clients each have an allocated Floating Support Officer, who will work with them to identify areas where additional support is needed. From this their overall objectives of support are agreed and an Action Plan developed, using a time based support model.
Action Plans are used to continuously evaluate areas of ongoing support and development and to record all positive outcomes, contributing to a growth in confidence, greater choice and independence.
Action plans focus on six core areas:
Achievements are recognised at regular support plan reviews and although there is a maximum period of support of between 18-24 months there is a focus to empower clients to move onto greater independence as and when they are ready.
Referral to the Southdown RSI come from the Band 3 Co-ordinator at Brighton & Hove City Council or through specialist services linked to the integrated pathway.
The following information is required at referral:
Clients accessing the Southdown RSI are offered short term supported housing to prepare for independent living and move-on to accommodation, generally within the private rented sector.
Support will place a significant emphasise on move-on and clients will be expected to engage in planning and achieving their future housing options from the start of tenancy.
The Client and Support Worker will agree the overall support objectives and the actions required to achieve successful move-on and will use this to predict a date of move-on. This will then act as an overall objective and focus for ongoing support and engagement.
After 18 months stay, if the client has yet to move on, Southdown will start proceedings to bring the tenancy to an end, but link this very clearly with the ongoing specialist support package to access move on accommodation.
We have achieved very positive move on outcomes for the majority of clients over recent years, with a number of people also successfully gaining employment.
For more information on the service please contact Lynsey Hermann, Team Leader on 01273 565856 or by e-mail L.Hermann@southdownhousing.org