Resettlement and Support Service
On this page you will find information about the Resettlement and Support Service. Alternatively you can download a copy in pdf format - please see Related Documents below.
A copy of the Resettlement Referral Form is available to download here in Word format. Please note that all clients have to be "referred" to us. We do not accept people who apply directly.
Page Contents:
The Resettlement and Support Service is part of Kingston Council’s Housing Services. The Service works with accepted homeless applicants and people, with a variety of vulnerabilities, who have been housed by the Council’s Housing Options and Advice Team in private accommodation. The Service helps them when they move in to their new homes (temporary or permanent) and to help them maintain their tenancy.
The Service provides advice and practical support based on an individual assessment and support plan to enable people to successfully settle into and maintain their own home.
We can offer eligible tenants help, guidance and advice if they are aged 16 or over and have one of the following vulnerabilities:
- Mental health problems.
- Drug and alcohol problems or are recovering.
- Have been in, or are fleeing, a domestic abuse situation.
- Have a learning disability.
- Are vulnerable due to poor physical health/disability.
- People who are vulnerable due to age, with complex needs.
You have to be:
- Moving in to temporary housing provided by the Council or private accommodation provided by the Council’s Housing Options and Advice Team.
- Moving in to permanent housing provided by the Council (including housing association tenancies for up to three months short term support).
- Or be at risk of losing your council accommodation, or the accommodation you are renting through the Tenant Finder Service, due to rent arrears, neighbour disputes or other issues, and have a vulnerability as listed above.
All applicants have to be "referred" to the Resettlement and Support Team. We do not accept people who apply directly. Referrals generally come through:
- Homelessness Assessments Team
- Allocations Team
- Estate Management
- Housing Advice and Options Service
- Tenant Finder Service
- Social Services Teams/GPs
- Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) or other advisory teams
- Women’s Refuges
- Other support agencies (statutory or voluntary).
You can ask any of the above housing teams, social services departments or support agencies to refer you to the Resettlement and Support Team. They can download a referral form - see Related Documents below or, if they call 020 8547 5003 and ask for the Resettlement and Support Service, the form can be emailed, faxed or posted to them.
- Help with setting up gas/electricity accounts and arranging the installation of gas/electric meters where appropriate.
- Help in applying for Housing Benefit or Local Housing Allowance (LHA) and Council Tax Benefit and monitoring the progress of these claims.
- Help in applying for benefits, grants and loans from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and applications to charities where applicable.
- Help in finding second hand furniture.
- General advice in budgeting.
- Help in finding and accessing other support services including referrals to social services where requested and applicable.
- Help in registering with GPs/dentists etc.
- Help with accessing college training and return to work schemes.
- Support and advice with managing security, health, and safety risks.
- Advice and support to improve quality of life and wellbeing.
The Resettlement and Support Service is a free service available to those detailed above. All accepted clients are allocated a Resettlement and Support Worker. A support plan is agreed with you and your allocated worker to look at your support needs. This plan is reviewed every six months or when requested, to make sure your support needs are being met.
If you feel you could benefit from our help, please ask one of the housing teams, social services departments or support agencies listed on the previous page, to refer you.
Alternatively, if you want further information on the work of the Service, please phone 020 8547 5003 and ask to speak to a member of the Resettlement and Support Service.