We understand that it is vital for anyone with a learning disability (and their family or carers) to have all the facts available to them when making decisions about where they live. Reliable facts can be difficult to find online, but without them it is easy to become disempowered and simply accept whatever options are offered.
By working in partnership with support providers across the UK we can help you to make informed decisions about your living arrangements to enable you to be as independent as possible. We firmly believe that having a learning disability must not stop you from being able to live where (and with whom) you choose, and that having a secure base in the form of one of our housing association homes will help you to feel respected within your local community and give you the confidence to make your own decisions about your future.
We will always treat you as an individual and will identify available social housing that will allow you to live in the area you call ‘home’ with or near the people you love, rather than just put you on a list and offer you the first place that becomes available. We believe that this approach is vital for allowing people with learning disabilities to feel settled, comfortable and confident – providing the best chance of living independently successfully in the long-term.
After you’ve moved in
Once we’ve identified the right home for you, we don’t simply hand over the keys: we provide a specialist landlord service that will help you to organise any adaptations, maintenance or repairs that might be necessary. Again, being familiar with you as an individual will help us to understand your needs and make sure that these are met once you have moved in. As an established housing association, we can also provide specialist advice on social housing benefits and also offer a 24-hour helpline because we know that you don’t only need us during standard office hours.
Finding your home with us
To find your ideal home with us, there are three steps you need to take.
1. Contact social services
You will need to speak to the social services team local to where the person with a learning disability lives (whether that’s you or your loved one). You need to ask them for a “needs assessment” to be carried out.
The needs assessment will look at all aspects of the life of the person with a learning disability, not just their housing needs. It will identify what support you require, who will provide that support and how it will be paid for. If you need some guidance about what type of home might be the most suitable, you can always contact us for advice.
The number you need to ring to speak to someone about a needs assessment is 0845 8050375 or you can visit https://www.gov.uk/apply-needs-assessment-social-services if you live in England or Wales.
2. Get on the council’s housing list
Even if you don’t end up getting a council house, it is important that you put your name on the list because this gives the council a clear picture of who needs what housing in their local area. It will also show any difference between the current rates of Housing Benefit and the actual costs of housing in that area. The council you need to apply to is the one local to where the person with a learning disability lives.
The number you need to call to speak to someone about getting on the council’s housing list is 0845 8050375 or you can visit https://www.gov.uk/apply-needs-assessment-social-services if you live in England or Wales.
3. Contact us
Once you have arranged a needs assessment and been put on the council’s housing list you need to contact us to discuss how we can help or to ask for guidance on what type of social housing might be best for you.
Call us on 0845 8050375 or email us at enquiries@assuredhousing.org.uk. For more information, visit our website at www.assuredhousing.org.uk
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