The Supporting People Programme - Communities and Local Government Committee Contents


APPENDIX 2

CASE STUDY 2 —REBECCA'S TALE

Vulnerable Parent floating Support Service

  Rebecca (not her real name) was referred to Casa Support's Vulnerable Parent Floating Support service by her Health Visitor, who had recognised that she needed immediate support surrounding her housing needs.

  Rebecca was 18 years old when referred and had a six month old son. Rebecca and her son were living at her family home which was extremely overcrowded and not suitable for this young family. She was sleeping on the living room sofa with her son. The Support Officer in Thanet, Rachel Healy went out to meet Rebecca and assess her situation. Rachel was particularly concerned about Rebecca's current banding position on the council's housing waiting list. Rachel accepted Rebecca on to the service and agreed a support plan with her.

  Rachel wrote to Thanet District Council on behalf of Rebecca to request a review of Rebecca's current banding position (level C) as it did not take into account the overcrowding at the current property. As a result of the information that was submitted Rebecca's banding was increased to band B. Only two months later Rebecca was offered a two bedroom property in Thanet.

  The next goal of Rebecca's support plan was to ensure that she: understood the tenancy agreement; had the essential furnishings for her new property; applied for Housing and Council Tax Benefit; and to change the details for Income Support Tax Credits and Child Benefit—to maximise her income. Rebecca was awarded a £600 Community Care Grant, with which she bought the necessary furniture to move into her new flat.

  As she settled into her new life and new home Rebecca and Rachel focussed on other areas of her life that she needed support with. Her confidence in dealing with both the benefits agencies and the local authority was low; therefore Rachel helped her to develop the confidence to make her own telephone calls and write her own letters in order to deal efficiently with her benefits etc.

  There was also ongoing communication with Tax Credits that resulted in an acknowledgement from the local MP, Stephen Ladyman, and the eventual apology letter with compensation from Tax Credits.

  Rebecca and her son now have a beautiful home and she is confident that she has developed the skills and has the ability to deal successfully with any agencies, companies etc. She wants to encourage other young parents to use the Casa Support Floating Support service in order for them to deal with their lives and build their confidence so she has written her own story to accompany this case study.

May 2009






 
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