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Support Services

   SUPPORTING PEOPLE SERVICE

   Supporting People delivers a high quality of housing-related services which offers support for people with learning disabilities in their own homes, to enable them to enjoy a more secure environment and greater independence.

 

We offer support in many different areas, including:

• money - paying rent and bills
• benefit claims
• shopping and cleaning
• cooking and healthy eating
• security and personal safety in the home
• training for work/voluntary work
• social and leisure interests

 

Who can have support from the Supporting People Service?

To receive support from the Supporting People Service individuals must:

• be an adult (aged 18 or over)
• have a learning disability where support is needed to maintain their own tenancy in either an owned or rented property
• be a resident in the Sandwell area
• be willing to constructively engage with the service and with the support offered

 

This service is non-chargeable if housing benefit or council tax benefit is payable.  If on a low income, the individual may be able to have the support at a reduced rate.

 

Who can make a referral to the Supporting People Service?

Referrals can come from a range of sources e.g. Social Workers, Tenancy Support Officers, health professionals and other agencies.  You can also make a self referral.

 

   PARENT SUPPORT SERVICE

 Parent Support Service aims to ensure parents with a learning disability and their children enjoy the same rights and opportunities as non-disabled parents and children, by offering pro-active and preventative support.

 

 

The Parent Support Service offers support in the following areas:

• parenting skills
• budgeting
• school education development
• healthy eating
• help with grants and benefits
• signposting to other services
• social and leisure opportunities
• health and safety

 

Who can have support from the Parent Support Service?

To receive support individuals must:

• be an adult (aged 18 or over)
• have a learning disability (one or both of the parents)
• have a child living with them
• be resident in the Sandwell area
• be willing to constructively engage with the support offered

 

Who can make a referral to the Parent Support Service?

Referrrals can come from a variety of sources, e.g. health visitors, schools, social workers, doctors etc.  Individuals can also refer themselves to the Parent Support Services.

Please note, if you are a professional wanting to make a referral, this must be made via the Sandwell Children & Access Team on 0845 351 0131.  Family members can make the referral directly to Options for Life on 0121 544 6611.

 

 

Sandwell LINk has undertaken a research project with our Parent Support Service to evaluate the impact of the service on families that it works with which have parents with a learning disability. Though limited in scope the project showed that the service provides practical benefits to the families and is a cost-effective means for supporting the families. To view the full report: Options for Life Research Paper 2011