Referral Criteria

• Single people/lone parents
• Live in Middlesbrough
• Aged between 16-25
• Homeless - waiting to be rehoused
• Starting a new tenancy in any tenure
• Struggling in an existing tenancy and at risk of losing your home
• The young person must be willing to engage, participate and work with the service
• Does not require personal care from CC87
• Does not pose a risk or threat to other service users, members of staff

Referral Process

• Application form needs to be completed by referral agency and submitted to the Youth Homelessness Co-ordinator for consideration and allocation of service at the Young Persons Housing Panel
• Young person will be invited for an interview/needs assessments
• Risk assessments will be sought from referral agency
• Decision will be made upon application once sufficient information is gathered
• Young person and referral agent will be advised in writing of the decision
• All applicants have the right to appeal decisions

The Support Service

• Office opens Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
• Open door policy
• Each young person has their own designated Tenant Support Worker
• Support with setting up and managing a tenancy, understanding tenancy issues, responsibilities and rights, maximising income, acquiring furniture and household items, budgeting and dealing with debt and rent arrears, meaningful use of time, physical and mental health, substance use, motivation and taking responsibility, self care and living skills
• Planned/structured support in the young person's home
• Regular consultation events and exercises
• First service review at 4 months and then every 6 months

Support Plan

• Tenant Support Worker and young person complete an individual support plan within the first 2-4 weeks
• The outcome star system records each young person's progress
• Tenancy based support to develop the skills and confidence to manage a tenancy independently successfully
• Support plan reviewed every 13 weeks or when the young person requests (whichever is sooner)
• Condition of the service that they engage and work towards the objectives in the support plan

End of Service

• Assessed as being able to manage a tenancy independently without support
• Open door policy thereafter