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Floating support

BAWSO Women's Aid provides practical assistance and support to enable BME women and children to maintain their home and their tenancies and empower them to lead independent lives.

FAQ:


What is floating Support?
Floating Support is a support service delivered to a family. A floating support worker visits the service users (usually, but not always, in their own home) and provide a package of support for a specified number of hours per week.

The aim of floating support services are:

  • To work within a community development framework, the floating support worker will be responsible for working with women re-housed from BAWSO and also with women currently living in their homes who may require support.
  • To encourage and enable women to live more independent lives based on real choices and apsirations about their future.
  • To assess the appropriate level and nature of support required to meet the individual needs of the woman and /or family and by drawing up a plan to provide this support with regular reviews of the individual and family support plans.
  • To ensure effective regular contact with the women in the scheme
  • To provide holistic advice and support covering issues such as:
  • Tenancy: Includes pre tenancy and resettlement support for women who leave temporary accommodation, transferring tenancies, neighbourhood disputes, housing benefits and repair issues.
  • Practical support: Such as Budgeting, Debt Counselling, Welfare, Benefits Advice, Completing forms, Language support, Life skills, Advocacy, Eduaction and Training, Employment issues, Immagration, Migration. 
  • Emotional Support: Domestic Abuse, Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Mental Health issues, Child Protection issues, Empowering issues, Parenting skills, Building Social Networks, Basic Counselling.
  • Sign post to other appropriate agency.

Who can apply?
BME families requiring support to maintain their tenancies and to empower them to lead independent lives. Floating Support can be provided to council, housing association or private tenants, as well as homeowners.

How does it work?
Support can be accessed through self referrals by contacting us directly, through any other person or referral from other professionals.

Our Floating Support service provides service users with a support package that is based upon their assessed needs. The structure and nature of support provided is reflected in individual support plans which is owned by the service user and contain clear and achievable support objectives that are regularly reviewed.

A Floating Support Worker will visit you usually on a weekly basis and the time spent with you each week will vary. For example, one day you may need help to complete a form.

How long will the support last?
After 5 months your situation will be reviewed to see how you are getting on. The support can be extended for a period of up to 2 years, depending on circumstances, but the aim is to help you become independent so that you won't continue to need help!

There will usually be a period of less intensive support before the service is withdrawn altogether. You will have a say in when and if this happens.

How can I find out more?
Contact the floating Support Project at BAWSO or someone you know well to contact us for you and refer you to the scheme.

All cases are dealt with in the strictest confidence

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