Lewisham Young People's Floating Support Service

Lewisham Young People's floating support service provides support to help young people develop the skills they need to manage their own tenancies and live indepedantly and inclusively in the community.

Lewisham Young People's Floating Support Service Aims

Our aim is to help young people to develop the skills they need to manage their own tenancies. We provide a flexible range of services which tackle a variety of issues including:

• Preventing homelessness
  Providing priority support with crisis management and equipping young people with the skills to overcome any future crisis themselves
• Benefits advice
  Ensuring that young people are aware of services and financial support available to them and supporting them to claim for any eligible benefits
• Developing budgeting skills
  Providing encouragement as well as practical support such as creating budget plans, income and expenditure charts and plans for each month’s financial outgoings.
• Skills coaching
  Developing basic computer skills including use of email and the internet, helping with literacy, dealing with forms and correspondence appropriately, and building practical daily living skills.
• Supporting employment and training
  Offering one-to-one coaching and making appropriate referrals to partner organisations where further support is needed.
• Family and friends
  Supporting and strengthening links with family and social networks. Also encouraging positive engagement in appropriate groups and activities, increasing knowledge and understanding of the locality and the facilities available.
• Encouraging health awareness
  Finding local doctors and dentists for young people, encouraging their attendance at scheduled appointments and helping them to understand the importance of healthy eating and exercise.
• Promoting sexual health awareness
  Providing free advice, condoms and family planning services.
• Advocacy
  Representing the views of young people to professional and statutory bodies and ensuring their voice is heard and understood.
• Encouraging confidence and independence
  Developing diplomacy skills and enabling young people to overcome difficult challenges by themselves.

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Lewisham Young People's Floating Support Referral Criteria

The service is for:

• Young people aged 16-25
• Young people who are a resident in Lewisham, or placed out of borough by the council, with housing-related support needs. This includes those leaving care, and those not in employment, education or training.
• Young People who are having difficulty maintaining a tenancy
• Young People who are living in temporary accommodation or a B&B
• Young people who have been kicked out of home or are sofa surfing
• Young People who have been through the statutory care system
• Young People who are involved with a Youth Offending Team or Probation Service
• Young People who are a single parent or parenting couple

The designated referral agent is Lewisham single homeless intervention and prevention service (SHiP). The service also takes referrals from other agencies in Lewisham or individuals can refer themselves.

Members of the public can refer themselves or someone they are concerned about by:

• Calling us on 020 7635 9149 or 020 7635 0825
• Dropping in at our office at Unit B2 Hatcham Mews Business Centre, Hatcham Park Road, New Cross Gate, London SE14 5QA

If you are unsure as to whether the service is suitable, please contact the service. We are always happy to discuss any potential referrals and indicate whether we can offer a service or suggest alternatives.

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Lewisham Young People's Floating Support Service Delivery

The service is delivered through:

• Friendly Support: We can meet with young people in their own accommodation, at a local venue in the community or at one of our offices.
• Flexible one-to-one support: Following the initial assessment, an allocated worker visits the client to address their individual tenancy issues. The frequency of visits is determined by the person’s needs and circumstances
• Reviews and Assessments: Each case is subject to regular reviews by the allocated worker and client. These reviews can also involve the service manager as and when required. Clients can also request a review at any time
• Drop In Service: Staff are available to advise drop-in callers during office hours. We also offer an out of hours on-call service, which provides emergency telephone advice or support to clients when the office is closed.

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More about Lewisham Young People's Floating Support

Our team supports young people to develop the skills they need to live independently and manage their own tenancies. We can help to:

• Furnish a new flat
• Make referrals to supported accommodation and other organisations
• Set up utilities, transfer claims or make applications for benefits
• Assist registration with local health services
• Apply for Community Care Grants or other charitable funds.

We work with individuals to tackle the issues that restrict their quality of life or put their tenancy at risk. We look at the underlying causes and aim to achieve positive outcomes.

The positive outcomes are in relation to the five areas highlighted in Every Child Matters, as well as more specifically around tenancy sustainment. We maximise opportunities for young people and assist them to play a full part in the life of the community

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