Supporting People in Tameside

Move On

Joint Protocol - Resettlement Support

Agencies signed up to the protocol

• Threshold Housing Project - Westbrook
• Threshold Housing Project - Stamford Villa
• Wish - Vernon House
• Nacro - Hurst Young Peoples' Project
• ECHG - Enville House
• ECHG - Harper House
• People First - Young Persons' Scheme

This protocol has been drawn up to facilitate the resettlement process of Service Users from one agency to another agency, e.g. a Service User from Wish being directly resettled into the move on accommodation provided by THP. 

Prior to the referral:

• The Service User should be provided with information on move on facilities in the borough so that they can make an informed decision about where they want to be housed and what standards of service they can expect. They may wish to view the properties available and their Support Worker should arrange for this. The Service User should be provided with up to date information about:
  
  
  1. the local facilities and amenities
  2. tenancy agreement requirements and house rules
  3. support available
     
     
• Referrals will not be taken straight from Service Users and must be agreed by the Support Worker and project Manager for the referring scheme.
  
  
• An agency referral form must be completed with consent of the Service User.
  
  
• Once the referral has been made and the person checked against the admissions criteria an assessment appointment will be made and attended by the applicant and the referring Support Worker.

Assessment:

The referred Service User will be assessed in line with organisational policy and procedure. All decisions will be made following allocations panel and where possible, within 1 month of the application. Both the applicant and the referring agent will be notified of the decision in writing. Previous support plans and risk assessments should be provided to aid the decision making process with consent of the service user.

Awaiting a vacancy:

Following the assessment, if any concerns / incidents occur which might affect the Service User's ability to manage a semi independent tenancy, the agency must be informed of these concerns by the referring agent immediately.

A meeting should be held between both agencies so it can be decided which resettlement tasks each agency will be responsible for. The Service User should be in attendance as this will also help to build the relationship with the new agency. Resettlement tasks will be put in writing so that the Service User and all parties know who is responsible for what. Both agencies should check that the referral is still appropriate when a vacancy arises.

Resettlement Support:

Both agencies will be expected to conduct intensive resettlement support within the first month - each agency conducting the tasks previously agreed in writing with the Service User. Visits can be conducted separately or where both agencies attend together. In the case where visits are conducted separately it would be good practice for the agencies to contact each other to share information and / or any concerns. At the end of the first month the Service User and both agencies should hold a meeting to formally hand over support.

In exceptional circumstances hand over time may be extended as long as all parties agree that this is necessary. In cases of Service User non co-operation a strategy should be devised between both agencies. In all cases the referring agent should still be available throughout the tenancy for any relevant specialist advice.

Ending a tenancy:

In the event that the Service User's tenancy is unsuccessful and the tenancy is to be ended - the referring agent should be contacted in order for any further input prior to issuing notice.