Sheltered Housing

Sheltered Housing service

Aims to provide good quality housing for older people who wish to live independently, but who seek the support and security of the service provided by the Sheltered Scheme Manager.

See our:

• H&F Homes Sheltered Housing Service Standard

• Sheltered Housing Tenants Survey Report prepared by bmg research

The sheltered housing service consists of 986 flats spread across the boroughs 22 schemes. Accommodation comprises of one bedroom self contained flats with a small number of self contained bed sits. All flats have an integrated Careline alarm and fire alarm system.

All properties are let as unfurnished secure tenancies in the same way as other Council housing, except tenants do not have the "Right to Buy".

Most schemes have communal lounges, laundries, kitchens and gardens.

Each scheme has a scheme manager who can be contacted Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm to provide support to enable tenants to maintain or improve their independence and lifestyle.

The role of a Scheme Manager

The role of the scheme manager is quite extensive but in general they are employed to:

• Respond to emergency calls for help and contact emergency services when appropriate
• Offer general advice and support to tenants to enable them to live independently
• Manage the scheme, its buildings, within the context of health and safety requirements
• To be aware of and monitor the well being and needs of individual tenants
• Conduct a needs assessment on every tenant in the scheme and then to draw up a support plan to ensure that the needs identified can be met
• Review this support plan at least once a year but at more frequent intervals if the tenant's circumstances dictate
• Work closely with Careline to secure the best outcomes for tenant's health and safety
• In the context of housing related support to contact any services where tenants are not able to do this for themselves.
• Carry out regular health and safety checks on all tenants' flats. This process is currently under review but safe practice dictates that the emergency pull cords should be tested 4 times a year. Other aspects of the health and safety check can be conducted twice yearly in consultation with the tenant.

This list is not exhaustive but it should be said that as scheme managers have to look after as many as 60 to 70 tenants they are not expected to provide intensive care and support.
Their principal role is to observe and assess need and then, by way of making referrals to the appropriate services, ensure that these needs are met.