In Touch

The services we offer We offer a variety of different services in Southampton, providing help to a wide range of people within the local community:

• Homeless adults

We operate two services in Southampton for homeless people.

• Learning disabilities

Alongside these services we help people with learning disabilities: we have a specialist scheme, Cairn Court in Southampton, and a floating support service that covers the Southampton area.

We also run a domiciliary care service offering care to people with learning difficulties in their own homes. The service covers the Lordshill to Hedge End areas including Shirley, central Southampton and Bitterne.

• Young people

There are three specialist schemes for young people in the area, The Hollies, Midanbury Lane and Bridge House, again offering a safe and secure place to live and regular support.

• Older people

In addition we have several services for older people.

• Home improvement agencies (HIAs)

Southampton has a home improvement agency. The service supports older and disabled people and their carers who need a repair or adaptation to their home. Our aim is to help our clients maintain their independence, safety and dignity. This service is usually free and is part of PUSH 4 Safer Homes Partnership.

• Domiciliary Care Services

The domiciliary care services provide care to adults over 18 who have learning disabilities or physical disabilities. The care is provided in your own home and enables you to maintain your ability to live as independently as possible.

63 St Mary Street St Marys Southampton

Housing management enquiries: 023 8083 6877 Housing support: 023 8083 6824 Repairs line: 0800 633 5706

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

• Home Improvement Agency (Disabled Facilities Grants)

in touch HIA Southampton 63 St Mary's Street St Mary's Southampton SO14 1NU

Office is open 9-5pm Monday to Friday

Tel: 023 8083 7800 sotonhia@intouchsupport.co.uk