In this section you will find information on:
Next Steps Accommodation Programme
The Next Steps Accommodation Programme (NSAP) was initiated by Ministry for Housing Community and Local Government (MHCLG) as a response to housing needs created following the Covid-19 Pandemic and the “Everybody In” measures. These measures were put into place to ensure people were removed from Rough Sleeping during this national public health crisis.
Approximately 15,000 people were housed in hotels and other forms of emergency accommodation during the pandemic, so attention shifted to ensure as few people as possible returned to the streets following this initial period of accommodation.
Part of this funding is to provide intensive personalised support to small caseloads of people experiencing homelessness. BCHA have developed an innovative model of meaningful occupation, employability and skills support that draws from our learning in providing Housing First services and is informed by our work with Homeless Link.
The key principles that guide our Meaningful Occupation work are:
- Empowering individuals to make choices and be in control of their own lives
- Genuine future planning drawing on hopes, strengths, aspirations and goals
- Nurturing meaning and positive relationships based on trust
- Meaningfully promoting physical health and mental wellbeing
- Keeping people safe and building long term resilience
- Connect to digital and in person communities and networks
In Torbay, TorVista Homes purchased 11 self-contained flats and a four bedroomed shared house, with the team of two BCHA Meaningful Occupation Coordinators. They provide proactive and person centred support, using a Trauma-Informed approach, moving at the individual’s own pace, taking into account the multiple barriers they may have.
Through this approach, 87% of people have been able to maintain the accommodation and are starting the move on process to a permanent tenancy.
Temporary Accommodation and Support for Single People
The First Step Assessment (FSA) service is commissioned by Exeter City Council (ECC). Accommodating customers who have experienced rough sleeping by the outreach team or those accommodated in ECC emergency temporary accommodation.
Referrals are made via the Access to Accommodation Hub (A2A), a group of statutory and non-statutory agencies, which work collaboratively to find the best housing solutions for customers.
FSA provides up to 27 units of single and couples accommodation across 3 sites across Exeter, Morwenna Court, Centurion House and The Junction. This accommodation comprises of a mixture of self-contained flats, single and double rooms, and communal living. The Junction is utilised when Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) is initiated, accommodating additional customers who are experiencing rough sleeping whilst SWEP is in place.
The FSA staffing team consists of 1 x Full time Senior Practitioner, 2 x Full time Support Workers, and 2 x part time Support Workers alongside a day Intensive Housing Officer.
The service is staffed 8am -6pm 7 days a week with additional overnight staffing available when required.
During their stay, customers are supported to access support for a wide range of issues that have often contributed to their homelessness. The team work collaboratively with partners to provide a high level of support for customers; this is with the aim of finding a housing solution that meets the needs of the customer. Customers are supported to engage in meaningful activities such as sports, exercise, art, volunteering and many more.
Gabriel House has 42 rooms, and is a 24/7 high support service, providing temporary accommodation with a resettlement agenda to source suitable accommodation according to need. We provide for Exeter and some surrounding districts and our remit is for entrenched and rough sleepers, however our residents are diverse in history and background.
We provide, support and promote the services necessary to address the complex issues that our residents may present, and alongside our partner agencies and providers bring services around; drug and clcohol, mental health, criminal and justice, education and wellbeing into Gabriel House to promote inclusion and manage customer skill set.
We provide a psychologically informed environment and are trauma informed. We work with strength-based support and collaborate with each resident according to their need and ambitions.
Our latest development, which is customer led, focuses on the social wellbeing and educational aspects of life and provides; a Café, social and physical activities for all. This meeting space brings together various resident led groups, such as the women’s group or resident meetings and is a Hub for interaction with outside agencies.
Ideas around supporting lifestyle issues such as how to combat isolation through inclusion are co-produced and any ideas or solutions can then be discussed, organised and put into practice and benefit everyone equally.
George House is delivered through The Plymouth Alliance (TPA), a group of statutory and voluntary organisations that have come together to co-produce, co-ordinate and provide a range of support services to individuals in Plymouth, with an overall vision to improve the lives of people with complex needs.
George House provides 46 en-suite units of temporary supported accommodation, including 2 specially adapted rooms for people with disabilities, for individuals and couples over the age of 18 who are homeless. George House also provides 2 additional emergency beds specifically for females who find themselves at risk of harm and who have no other offer of accommodation.
Facilities include a multi-purpose training room, cluster kitchens with laundry equipment, communal dining/lounge area with TV, and a landscaped garden.
During their stay, customers are supported through collaborative working with partner agencies, to address the issues that may have caused them to lose their previous accommodation, with the aim to move back into the community, through either private rental or social housing.
Referrals to the service come via the Access to Accommodation (A2A) pathway, involving the completion of a housing and risk assessment arranged by Plymouth City Council or by teams supporting people who are rough sleeping.
The George House staffing team consists of a senior practitioner, 7 full-time and 1 part-time Support Workers, and 4-night Intensive Housing Officers who work on a 24-hour rota.
Primrose is an all-female service, which accommodates women who have historically or are currently experiencing trauma from domestic abuse relationships; this includes women who are actively fleeing an abusive relationship.
Primrose is situated across two properties and accommodates nine women; this includes an emergency bed which offers the opportunity to respond to crisis.
Primrose offers a trauma informed service, alongside a therapeutic approach, which provides a unique offer within Plymouth. Primrose currently offers activities such as:
- Weekly trips, for example to the aquarium, beach days out and sea swimming
- Cooking on a budget, bulk making nutritious meals from scratch
- Gardening group, ensuring all plants are looked after weekly
- Food shopping, supporting women to gain confidence food shopping and meal planning
Women are encouraged and offered support to engage with The Sunflower Women’s Centre, which is located nearby. Women engage with groups and courses on offer, such as, the Freedom Programme.
Every fortnight support is offered from the Plymouth Domestic Abuse Service, with a member of the team from PDAS attending the service to engage women.
Primrose has one full time and one part time Support Worker, and two night staff; the service has staff cover during the day and at night.
Somewhere Safe to Stay is delivered through The Plymouth Alliance (TPA), a group of statutory and voluntary organisations that have come together to coproduce, coordinate and provide a range of support services to individuals in Plymouth, with an over-all vision to improve the lives of our customers.
With 20 bed spaces of shared accommodation across two properties, located nearby to one another, the accommodation is provided for singles and couples aged 18 or over who are experiencing homelessness. The accommodation has support on site, and facilities including laundry, a confidential space for support sessions, a team office and a large dining area and communal space.
During their stay, customers are supported to address the issues that may have caused them to lose their previous accommodation; this can include work around substance misuse, mental health, offending, income and daily living. This includes collaborative work with partner agencies to ensure that customers receive tailored support in each area.
Referrals to the service come via the Access to Accommodation (A2A) pathway, involving the completion of a detailed housing and risk assessment arranged by the local authority (Plymouth City Council) or by teams supporting those who are rough sleeping.
The support team consists of a Senior Practitioner, five Support Workers, and four Night Workers providing support.
Customers are supported to access stable accommodation most suited to their needs; this includes social housing, private rented accommodation and supported accommodation. Once customers have secured accommodation the team are able to provide 3 months of move-on support in an outreach capacity to support customers settle and maintain their new accommodation, preventing future homelessness.
We provide supported accommodation for single people, couples and people with dogs who are affected by homelessness or rough sleeping, have lived experience of drug or alcohol dependence, mental health issues or complex trauma issues.
All referrals are made via Bournemouth Borough Council’s Supporting People Hub or Homeless Pathway and applicants must have a local connection to Bournemouth, unless you are fleeing from violence. A stay with us can last from one night up to six months, depending on your need and our focus is always on improving your health and wellbeing. We have accommodation which provides either 12-hour or 24-hour waking cover. We provide action plans with agreed outcomes, reviewed as necessary and our helpful staff also provide advice around accommodation, addictions, health and life skills, benefits, employment, training and referrals to other agencies. There is also access to in-house training in budgeting and cooking.
Temporary Accommodation and Support for Families
BCHA provide Temporary accommodation for 27 families or individuals across 5 properties in Yeovil. The people living in the accommodation are referred by the local authority under homelessness legislation.
The team offers general advice and information relating to housing options, and works closely with the local authority teams. During their stay people receive extensive support including, but not limited to, issues around mental health, physical health, networks and relationships, offending, substance misuse, benefits and financial support, employment and training or volunteering.
The support team includes a trained Money Mentor, who provides support around financial literacy, signposting and referral to other specialist agencies. The team work closely with individuals, in a strengths based and trauma informed way, to find what housing has worked well for the individual in the past and work co-operatively towards finding a suitable housing solution. The team also support them to set up a home, access support and agency networks, and gain the financial and personal confidence they need to remain successfully housed.
The key principles that guide our Floating Support work are:
- Empowering individuals to make choices and be in control of their own lives
- Genuine future planning drawing on hopes, strengths, aspirations and goals
- Nurturing meaningful and positive relationships based on trust
- Mindfully promoting physical health and mental wellbeing
- Keeping people safe and building long term resilience
- Connection to digital and in person communities and network
Since April 2022, 66 individuals/families have left the Temporary Accommodation, 90% of those has been a positive move on.
Delivered across Plymouth, the Families Temporary Accommodation Service offers hands-on advice and support for families facing homelessness.
We support the entire family through the homelessness process with the Local Authority, addressing any concerns they may face. We complete housing assessments to tailor the level of support to meet the specific needs of each family, and support to access the most appropriate accommodation.
We support families wherever they are living which includes emergency accommodation and temporary family homes, which are dispersed across Plymouth.
When supporting families, we take a holistic approach to their housing concerns. We work with them to access any support required from local partners, including statutory and non-statutory agencies.
Our work with families has the potential to change lives. We aim to empower families to manage their housing issues independently, so that they can maintain control and manage a permanent tenancy over time. We promote trauma informed care of the entire family and ensure that parents and children receive comprehensive guidance and emotional assistance to promote overall well-being.
Young People
We support young people aged between 18 – 21 by providing them with a safe space to focus on their strengths, develop skills and build positive relationships and networks to achieve their aspirations.
Our services specialise in supporting young adults taking their first steps towards independence and those facing homelessness, including those who are:
- Care experienced young people
- Dealing with difficult experiences
- Experiencing family or relationship breakdown
Our services for young adults include the following support models:
- Supported housing services which offer in-house support within a safe place for young adults to live, develop skills and make the transition to independent adulthood
- Floating support service to support and settle young adults transitioning to their own homes and to help those already in their own homes to maintain independent accommodation
Our supported housing provides accommodation for young people who need support to help them make the transition to independent living. Our facilities comprise a number of shared and self-contained flats and shared houses where residents have their own bedrooms and share other facilities.
All support is tailored to each person’s individual needs, through structured support and action planning and we encourage each person to direct their journey working towards developing the skills they will require to maintain their own homes, achieve their personal goals and gain knowledge of the other local and neighbourhood services available to support them. Support is focused on practical life skills, healthy relationships, work goals and health and wellbeing.
Housing First
Housing First Exeter is an innovative service providing intensive, flexible and empowering housing related support to some of the most marginalised people in Exeter City.
Housing First is about doing things differently, not for the sake of it, but based on a body of evidence which demonstrates that people facing multiple and complex challenges are best supported when they have a stable home.
The key principles for working with a Housing First approach are;
- People have the right to a home
- Flexible support is provided for as long as is needed
- Housing and support are separated
- Individuals have choice and control
- An active engagement approach is used
- People are supported to identify their strengths, goals and aspirations
- A harm reduction approach is used
The Housing First Team support people with long experience of rough sleeping to move towards greater independence. People have access to a secure tenancy, and receive ongoing support that is proactive, person centred, and doesn’t ‘give up’. We encourage individuals to take positive risk and work with them in a strength based and solution focused way. We use a Trauma-Informed approach, supporting individuals to move at their own pace, taking into account the multiple needs and barriers they might have. Through this successful approach we have found that 85% of people have been able to maintain accommodation and start to rebuild their lives with the joined up support of other agencies.
The only requirements on an individual obtaining accommodation through Housing First Exeter is a willingness and commitment to maintaining a tenancy. The properties are currently provided by Exeter City Council and BCHA but we are hoping to expand so other landlords have the opportunity to work in this way.
You can find more information on the Housing First Model here.
Plymouth Temporary Accommodation & Outreach Team
This team can help you if:
- You are a single person or couple living in Plymouth, experiencing or at risk of homelessness
- You have your own accommodation but may be at risk of homelessness
Single people experiencing or at risk of homelessness may be offered one of 43 temporary accommodation units we operate across seven locations in Plymouth.
A well as providing temporary accommodation, we can offer wide ranging support, including daily welfare checks, individual support for dependence on alcohol and drugs, referrals to other agencies and help to find suitable long-term accommodation.
We can also work with you to explore realistic move-on options and to develop skills, so you can confidently sustain independent living.
If you have a special support need which presents a barrier to you being offered temporary accommodation – such as you are a couple or you have a pet – our B&B Team can help.
And our Outreach Team is there to offer help and support to those who have a tenancy but may be at risk of losing it, perhaps because your accommodation is no longer affordable or appropriate to your needs.
We can also help if you have already lost your tenancy and are relying on friends for a place to stay.
Working in partnership with our Plymouth Alliance partner PATH we can help people with searches, applications, attending appointments, understanding child protection procedures, assistance with budgeting/debt advice and any signposting you may need for your resettlement.
We can also meet with you in your home or in the community.
Plymouth Temporary Accommodation & Outreach Team are here to help you find a route to a better life.
Contact us
Call: 01752 680060 (Monday-Friday, 9am - 5pm)
Our Outreach team also operate regular drop-in sessions at all of Plymouth’s Job Centres. Please ask at individual centres for details and times.
BCHA Homelessness Hospital Discharge Team, Plymouth
This service can help you if you are leaving hospital and are: experiencing or facing a housing crisis or homelessness, aged 18 and over, do not have suitable accommodation to return to, are fleeing violence, or have additional support needs.
Our Homeless Discharge Coordinators work closely with health professionals and Adult Social Care.
We can arrange assessment whilst you are still in hospital to ensure the correct support is established, whether that be planned resettlement into appropriate move-on accommodation, support with maintaining a tenancy, or support with accessing other services and agencies.
We will also continue to support you after discharge in securing appropriate housing and maintaining health and wellbeing to reduce the risk of further stays in hospital.
You can self-refer or be referred to us via the hospital or your GP. Once we receive your referral, we will book an assessment to see how best we can support you.
We are here to help.
The service is open Monday-Friday: 9am-5pm and Saturday-Sunday: 10am-4pm
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