What is sheltered housing?
Last updated: 23 May 2012 11:50 UKPurpose
The Portsmouth City Council sheltered housing service provides housing-related support to enable residents to live as independently as possible in their own home. The service does not provide personal care, medical care or first aid. However staff will work with or seek advice from other agencies as necessary to support residents to meet these needs if required.
Eligibility:
To receive the Sheltered Housing Service the applicant must:- Be over 55, but under 55’s with support needs may be considered. (Current age restrictions may cease in the near future)
- Have a defined Housing Need
- Have a defined Support Need
Eligibility is usually decided via an assessment and there may be some waiting time until a suitable property becomes available.
Accommodation:
Sheltered accommodation consists of approx 1500 properties that have been designed or adapted to meet the support needs of elderly or vulnerable people. There are several different property types, mainly these are one bedroom flats and bed-sits although there are some two bedroom flats and a few bungalows, but the common factor to all of them is that they are linked to a 24-hour alarm system.
There are 24 Category 1 blocks, 6 Category 2 blocks and 7 Category 2.5 blocks. Category 1 blocks range from 2 to 25 floors, they are mainly within the Portsmouth City area. Most are close to facilities such as shops, bus routes, post offices and health centres but a few are more remote.
Category 2 blocks are all situated in the Crookhorn, Leigh Park and Wecock Farm areas while there are 5 Category 2.5 blocks within the city, 1 at Cosham and 1 at Paulsgrove, most of these are 2 to 3 floors high and contain in the region of 40 to 50 properties each.
Service Provision:
Category 1
- Unfurnished accommodation often in blocks with a mix of general needs and residents with support needs.
- A pull cord alarm call system is in place in most blocks but in some circumstances a ‘stand alone’ system that requires a BT landline is necessary (other options are available dependant on signal etc).
- Blocks have restricted access; visitors must contact the resident in their flat via an intercom at the front door of the block. Residents have the choice whether to allow access or not using a door release button situated within their flat.
- Onsite support is available Monday to Friday (9- 5pm). Generally this is one Scheme Manager per block. They will arrange regular contact and support with the resident to meet individual need; to enable them to live independently in their home, if on duty they will also respond to alarm calls.
- Support needs are reviewed at least annually and can be more frequent if the residents desires it or if their circumstances change.
- Some properties have communal lounges and laundry facilities.
- When staff are not on duty, alarm calls are taken by a team in Southampton who arrange for an appropriate response, usually a representative from the Out of Hours Response Team to be sent.
- Staff can provide a range of support tasks including emergency shopping and collecting prescriptions, but other support can be arranged as required depending on the individual need and personal circumstances of the resident, this can be discussed with the scheme manager once they have moved into their accommodation.
- In some cases a meal can be arranged (there is a separate charge for this).
Category 2
Same as for the Cat 1 properties, with following additions:
- Specific unfurnished accommodation for older people with support needs, there are no mixed blocks.
- Onsite support is available Monday to Friday (9- 5pm). Generally this is a scheme manager and one or more support assistants.
- A pull cord alarm call system is in place in all blocks.
- All properties have communal lounges and laundry facilities.
- Some properties have their own private bathing/showering facilities while others are shared.
Category 2.5
Same as Cat 1/2 properties, with following additions:
- Specific unfurnished accommodation for older people with higher support needs, there are no mixed blocks.
- Dedicated on site support is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Generally this is a Scheme Manager and Support Assistants.
- Schemes have communal facilities available such as lounge, dining area and laundry room.
- All flats have their own private bathroom.
- Schemes have Parker baths and wet rooms where assisted bath or shower facilities are available to residents who have this requirement.
- Support staff can prepare and provide a heated meal if requested (there is a separate charge for this), domestic support such as cleaning can be arranged.
How to contact us:
The Sheltered Housing Management Team are based on the 2nd floor at Chaucer House and can be contacted on 02392 688812.
For more specific information about our different sheltered category types please contact:
Kathy Keeble CAT 1 Sheltered Housing Manager 07951 497575
Chris Wignall CAT 2 Sheltered Housing Manager 07956 803944
Alison Croucher CAT 2.5 Sheltered Housing Manager 07951 739771
