What is Supporting People?
The Supporting People Programme was introduced in April 2003 and is a partnership between the Local Authority, Health Authority and Probation.
It was set up to offer vulnerable people the opportunity to improve their lives through high quality supported housing services, which meet needs and encourage independent living within the community.
- Who can Supporting People help?
Supporting People is a wide programme and reaches out to all vulnerable people who need support. We can help:
- Frail Older People
- Homeless Families with Support Needs
- Offenders or People at Risk of Offending
- Older People with Support Needs
- People with Alcohol Problems
- People with Drug Problems
- People with HIV/AIDS
- People with Learning Disabilities
- People with Mental Health Problems
- People with a Physical or Sensory Disability
- Refugees
- Single Homeless with Support Needs
- Teenage Parents
- Women at Risk of Domestic Violence
- Young People at Risk
- What are Supported Housing Services?
Supported Housing Services can be provided to people in their own home, or in safe accommodation that they can move in to. They can provide practical advice and support, such as:
- Help to manage responsibilities such as paying rent, bills and budgeting;
- Providing advice on what benefits you are entitled to;
- Assistance in accessing a wide range of other services and support groups available;
- Making sure you feel safe and secure where you are living etc.
Supported Housing Services will help people to do things for themselves and learn to become more independent within their home and the community.
- How do I know the Services are good quality?
Supported housing services in South Tyneside are provided by lots of different organisations. These can include voluntary organisations, private organisations, local authority etc. The Supporting People Team must check that all the services, which are provided, are good quality and meet a minimum standard. If the service does not meet these standards the Supporting People Team will help and advise them to make changes to make the service better.
- Do I have to pay for the service?
Supporting People Services can be either short term or long term depending on what the individual’s needs are. Those services that are short-term are free to anyone who needs to access them.
For long-term services there is a charge. However, for those people who are receiving Housing Benefit or have a low income, Supporting People will pay for the service for them. For those who are not and they wish to, can request an assessment of their finances to find out if they will need to pay for their service.
Please contact the Supporting People Team for more information
- Where can I get more information about Supporting People?
If you are a client and are already receiving a support service you can speak to your Landlord or Support Worker who will be able to help you.
Alternatively please contact the Supporting People Team.
Useful Documents and Leaflets
Printable documents and leaflets that tell you more about Supporting People:
Documents & Strategies for Consultation
