Resettlement

The resettlement team works to assist residents provided with social housing to adjust to living independently by looking after themselves and their flat or house. Resettlement serves to ensure that individuals or couples are able to sustain their tenancy.

The team works with vulnerable members of the community, both young and old. These include people returning from long periods of stay in hospital perhaps due to disability or mental illness, people who have been sleeping rough on the streets, those that have been released from prison, victims of domestic violence and also young adults leaving local authority care and teenage mothers.

The team works closely with agencies such as the Council’s adult services and children and families departments, the Probation Service, Housing Associations and also voluntary organisations such as SPEAR, in assessing and meeting the needs of their various client groups.

Each individual requiring resettlement assistance is assigned a case officer who assesses the person’s needs as well as circumstances. In determining if and where to resettle, issues such as the individual’s state of physical and mental health, access to services (transport, shops, etc.), availability of family support (carers) and professional assessments are taken into view. In certain circumstances, a panel made up of officers from relevant agencies is set up to monitor and assess the individual’s suitability for independent living.

When the decision to resettle has been made, a suitable property will be provided and where necessary, adaptations are made. Help is also provided with the move to the new property. Once settled, the individual is visited periodically to assess how they are coping with their flat or house and where necessary, assistance and support is offered with obtaining benefits and paying utility bills.

Following several assessments, a point is reached where the individual is deemed to have gained the ability and skills necessary to live independently and manage the affairs relating to their tenancy. At this stage, the resettlement is seen as being successful. If at a later stage due to changes in the resident’s circumstances, support may have to be resumed to prevent a breakdown of the tenancy.

The contacts page has details of how to get in touch to obtain further information or advice.