Floating Support Service

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• Background to the Floating Support Service
• What we do
• What we can help you with

Background to the Floating Support Service

The Floating Support Service for Older People is part of Sheltered Housing in Housing Services, of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and commenced in January 2003 following a successful bid by Housing Services in 2002 for Government Supporting People funding. The Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) provides the funding and the RBK Supporting People Team administer it.

In late 2002 potential clients were identified and leaflets describing the service were hand delivered. Follow-up home visits took place and people were signed up to the service. At the commencement of Floating Support in January 2003, clients had to be over 60 years of age, in general needs RBK housing accommodation and in receipt of Housing Benefit to receive the service. Tenants not in receipt of Housing Benefit were, and continue to be, accepted on a self-paying basis and need to complete a financial assessment form.

In 2004 the minimum age for people entering sheltered housing and for clients to receive the Floating Support service was changed to 55 years.

There is a weekly charge for the Floating Support Service and this is shown as an amount payable on clients' rent accounts but as long as the client is in receipt of Housing Benefit this is paid directly into the rent account via the funding from DCLG.

Following a successful review by the Supporting People team on behalf of the DCLG, the team now also work with housing association tenants in the borough and from March 2007 we have now expanded the work of the team further to include owner occupiers and people renting in the private sector.

Referrals to the Floating Support Service for Older People can be
made by anyone by:

• using the online referral form
• phoning 020 8541 5764 or
• by sending an email to floatingsupportolderpeople@rbk.kingston.gov.uk

What we do

The Floating Support Service for Older People aims to provide practical advice, support and assistance for people who are 55+, have housing support needs and live in the borough. We provide this service if you are:

• a council or housing association tenant in general needs housing provided by the Council or a housing association
• an owner occupier
• renting in the private sector.

The service is free to anyone receiving Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit. If you are not receiving either of these benefits you will need to complete a financial assessment form.

In cases where you have large amounts of savings it is possible that you may need to pay the full amount for using the Floating Support Service.

Once a referral is received and accepted by the Floating Support Service, a named support worker will visit you on a regular basis to help resolve any issues that may be causing you concern.

Visits may be weekly or at other intervals as agreed with you.

In addition, we are now also working with council and housing association sheltered tenants where it is shown there are definite support needs over and above what the sheltered scheme manager is able to deal with.

What we can help you with the following:

• Assisting and advising you when viewing offers of accommodation. This could be:

           - a council or housing association property

           - privately rented accommodation

           - a property you are looking to buy.

• Arranging removals (for Kingston Council tenants only).
• Helping you in setting up and maintaining gas and electrical accounts and explaining various methods of payment.
• Checking welfare and benefit entitlements and advising you if you work or receive other income.
• Helping you to access GPs, health and local authority services.
• Going with you where necessary to appointments, interviews, meetings.
• Giving advice on counselling and care services to meet your specific needs.
• Helping you to take advantage of facilities on offer in the community.
• Giving you support and guidance during transitional or difficult periods, and offering ongoing support where necessary.
• If you are a tenant, ensuring you understand the basic rights and obligations of your tenancy agreement.
• Working with you to resolve difficult housing issues, such as rent arrears or mortgage arrears.
• If you are a tenant, ensuring you understand the basic rights and obligations of your tenancy agreement.
• Working with you to resolve difficult housing issues, such as rent arrears or mortgage arrears.

You can also read about our services in this leaflet - printed copies are available from Guildhall One reception and the Housing Contact Centre based at 5-8 Tadlow, Washington Road, Kingston, or you can download a copy - see related documents below.

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