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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