Highbury New Park

Highbury New Park (HNP) is a 13 bed project providing accommodation and on-site support for people who have a significant offending history and are homeless.

• Aims
• Referral Criteria
• Accommodation
• More information
• House Rules

Highbury New Park Service Aims

HNP works within a harm minimisation framework and a recovery and strengths model. The service aims to:

• Provide a safe and secure environment in which offenders with chaotic lifestyles can stabilise and seek support to address a range of issues which are barriers to them moving on in their lives
• Support offenders to develop skills that will enable them to build their confidence to access training or employment
• Reduce the likelihood of re-offending in the future by supporting offenders to comply with the conditions of their order or license
• Ensure that residents have access to primary healthcare services and other statutory and non- statutory services
• Assist residents to access appropriate specialist services, such as drug treatment or mental health services
• Work in partnership with external agencies to provide the best opportunities and choices for our residents

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Highbury New Park Referral Criteria

This service is for:

• People with a significant offending history, who at the point of referral have ongoing supervision from the Probation Service. This includes license, community orders, curfew and tagging orders
• People with ongoing poly-substance misuse issues, including those who continue to use class A drugs
• People with associated low-level mental health problems
• People engaged in street-based activity
• People at risk of ASBOs and offending
• People with a connection to Islington, who are single, homeless and over 18
• People in need of 24-hour support rather then visiting support

All referrals must be accompanied by an up-to-date risk assessment. This is to ensure that our project can meet the needs of any potential client and avoid unnecessary exclusions

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Highbury New Park Accommodation

The project comprises 13 single bedrooms arranged over four floors. Showers and toilets are shared between three to four people. Kitchens are also shared.

There are laundry facilities, large communal lounge and dining space. There is also a large garden with patio area.

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More about Highbury New Park

Project workers assess clients' needs and provide regular, tailored support to help each individual find stability, consolidate their recovery from offending patterns and build on their strengths.

Highbury New Park works closely with the Probation Service and Safer Streets Teams in order to reduce the likelihood of clients re-offending and to help reduce street activity.

Clients at Highbury New Park are encouraged to take part in SHP activities such as the Urban Arts Project, which is based in the hostel's beautiful garden. In addition, there are several activities specific to the project:

• Regular staff drop in
• Weekly DVD nights
• House meetings
• Gardening
• Newspaper club on Sunday mornings

The project is staffed 24/7. If necessary, management advice and presence is accessible in the evenings and weekend through SHP’s on-call service.

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House Rules

Clients are issued with a tenure agreement and a set of house rules. These will be explained when prospective clients are interviewed. This includes rules on smoking, which is only permitted in clients’ bedrooms.

The service operates within SHP’s drug policy, which covers the use of all drugs including illegal or controlled drugs. In order to offer a secure and stable environment for everyone, no visitors are allowed.

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