What is Floating Support?
In some cases Floating Support will help people to find alternative homes.
It can offer a short-term flexible service, which “floats off” once agreed aims have been achieved. This usually takes between three months and two years. Following this some people may need support to ‘float back’ at a lesser or more intense rate. Groups that Floating Support can offer appropriate support to include;
• People with mental health needs
• People with learning disabilities
• Former rough sleepers
• People living with HIV/AIDS
• Young homeless people
• Refugees
• Older people
• Women fleeing domestic violence
• People who have suffered hate crime or harassment
• People with challenging behaviour.
Benefits
• Helps people to successfully sustain their housing, preventing homelessness, poverty
and eviction
• Links people in with local specialists services for example health/debt management
• Supports and maximises individuals independence
• Provides an alternative to traditional special needs housing schemes
• Helps individuals to move on from special needs accommodation to their own homes
• Helps people who have developed need for intensive housing support through disability
or other vulnerability
Please also see domiciliary care, depending on your circumstances this type of support may be suitable.
Where is our Floating Support?
This takes place in people’s ‘own home’ or temporary place of residence including hospital or temporary accommodation.
How much does it cost?
Floating Support is paid for at an hourly rate usually funded by Local Authority Supporting People grant. It is not chargeable to individuals under current grant conditions.
Who can apply?
Anybody can apply who is not already in receipt of a Supporting People funded service.
Applying for Floating Support
Individuals, their advocate or carer can approach their Neighbourhood Manager or Local Authority Social Services Department to find out if there is a local Floating Support service.
Where are our services offered?
Anyone can apply within our areas of operation. Services are subject to availability of staff within the locality. We provide services within a range of local authority areas throughout east London and Essex. Some other organisations also provide Floating Support Services in our area of operation.