CONTACT DETAILS Positive Steps Upper East Wing Swan House 2 Explorer Road Dundee

Flexible solutions

DD2 1DX

to your support needs

Phone: 01382 561822 E-mail us: [email protected] Website: www.positivesteps.org.uk

Housing Support Resettlement

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Accommodation Outreach Service STEP Program

The Positive Steps Partnership (Positive Steps) is a registered Scottish Charity No SC028252 The Positive Steps Partnership (Positive Steps) is a registered Scottish Charity No SC028252

An Introduction from the CEO

STEP Program This service was originally created as a response to concerns faced by older people. It has since been developed for the most vulnerable groups in the community.

Derek Sharkey, CEO

Positive Steps, a Christian charity, has for more than 25 years been providing real solutions to individuals wishing to gain more independent living. The charity offers a range of support services and flexible solutions to meet individual needs. In addition, our Social Enterprise, Positive Steps Initiatives, enhances our work by allowing us to offer you additional services across a wide range of issues. I hope that this booklet illustrates Positive Steps’ innovative approach. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss with you any challenging issues you are currently facing. Derek Sharkey CEO

The Programme lasts for nine weeks with weekly two hourly sessions and looks at significant lifestyle issues. For example: sexual health, coping with change, alcohol and medication and finances. The sessions are delivered to small groups which form over the period to allow for the discussion of such sensitive subjects. The sessions are facilitated by trained workers who follow an action learning model - what participants learn at the sessions, they put in to practice in their daily routine. A focus is placed on participants’ thoughts and feelings being validated and trying to get them to think more positively about issues that may be a concern for them. Participants can be signposted to other agencies within the local community for further information or support if needed. The sessions are fun and informal and can lead to participants’ self-esteem and confidence being boosted through meeting new people and forming new relationships.

Outreach Service

Housing Support

Positive Steps Outreach Service engages with some of the most disadvantaged people in the community in two main ways.

Positive Steps Housing Support Service has a reputation for delivering a quality service. Among the first services developed by us, it has a history of working with some of the most disadvantaged people in our communities. Frequently, these are people other agencies struggle to engage with.

Firstly by working in temporary accommodation to assist service users address immediate need, usually around basic matters like food, utilities, benefits or health issues. Offering a recommendation for appropriate move-on accommodation to the Local Authority. Secondly, by engaging with people who have a history of homelessness when they are offered a new tenancy with the aim of preventing this tenancy failing. This role involves working with people in a very hands-on manner to begin with, followed by a more case management approach as they are introduced to agencies that can provide support with their specific issues. However, workers frequently have to step back in to ensure that service users become established with their support providers. Not all agencies can provide the flexibility to maintain engagement as service users seek to address their issues and Outreach Service will step in to maintain the support. Good relationships are vital to both aspects of the service.

In many ways it is the foundation of the organisation, with subsequent projects growing from the understanding developed while delivering this service. The service is holistic and personalised in its delivery with a focus on outcomes. The people it supports are at the centre of the provision and are involved in both the planning and the delivery of their support. It is their plan and recognises the strengths and aspirations of the person. As well as the practical skills necessary to manage a tenancy, the service also offers support in other key areas. Individual outcomes are evaluated using an on-line tool which provides specific feedback to service users, as well as information for staff, management and other stakeholders.

The support I get from my Support Worker helps me to keep on track with my appointments for depression.

Resettlement Support

Accommodation

The Positive Steps Resettlement Service was developed in response to an identified need. People with a history of short-term sentences form a substantial cohort of the homeless population. Living in temporary accommodation significantly increases the chances of re-offending and so the cycle forms. Usually there are underlying issues which drive this situation.

The Positive Steps Accommodation Service provides fully furnished accommodation with support to people in housing need.

Uniquely the Positive Steps Resettlement Service seeks to break the cycle by offering furnished accommodation with intensive support. This is immediately addressing two of the most significant issues identified by people who are experiencing this situation.

Positive Steps lease the property from the provider and sub-let the accommodation to the service user. The service user moves in with everything they need already in the flat. Support is provided to develop the necessary skills and confidence to successfully live independently. Once this has been accomplished, the tenancy is signed over to the service user and they remain in the accommodation benefitting from the effort they have put in to both creating their home and establishing themselves in their community.

The service has developed a thorough induction process for the new service user which can prevent many of the historical issues arising. The assistance provided is holistic and personalised, following an asset based approach. The intensity reduces as the service user works toward the end of their time with the service.

The Accommodation Service is a proven model of service provision. Originally restricted to tenancies from social housing providers, the service has been developed as a social enterprise and now includes properties from private landlords. It is a flexible model which can be adapted to suit a wide range of client groups.

This specific project is a test of change and in its second year of funding from the Scottish Government.

Didn’t have confidence to go out. I now attend things like this and meet people.