How to access North Kent Mind’s Supported Housing.
North Kent Mind’s Supported Housing keeps a waiting list for potential tenants that have completed our assessment process. Those on the list will be contacted on a monthly basis for updates and check any changes to circumstances.
Before considering our housing as an option please read through the below and check that all the criteria is met.
North Kent Mind provide a supported housing service for 34 people who have experienced mental health problems and need support to live independently. Accommodation is provided in 6 sites in the area.
- Dartford a block of 8 self-contained flats near the town centre.
- North fleet a block of 6 self-contained flats.
- Gravesend a large house converted into 5 self-contained studio flats, and also 2 self-contained flats within one house. Block of 7 self-contained flats
- Swanley 6 self-contained flats within one house.
Most of the schemes also contain a communal room where tenants can meet together if they wish. All the flats are for single people.
Living in North Kent Mind Accommodation:
We offer short-hold tenancies – which means that tenants living within them are expected to become independent enough to move on to general housing within two years. We do not offer accommodation for longer than 24 months.
Our service is a low-level Supported Housing Scheme. Staff visit the properties, but are not available on site. Our tenants receive low level of support, which means they will have around 2 hours support from their allocated support worker per week.
All flats are fully furnished and equipped when a tenant moves in. Rent payments are normally covered by Housing Benefits if the individual is eligible to claim them. Council tax will be in line with the local authority’s council tax reduction scheme. Tenants pay their own utility bills to encourage independent living.
Housing Support:
- Individual support plans
- Regular one-to-one support sessions
- Out-of-hours call service
- Support via a contact line during office hours
- Assistance with form filling (benefits, utilities etc.)
- Health and Safety checks and property maintenance
- Help with living skills and self-development through person-centred planning and support
- Liaising with the Community Mental Health Team if a tenant’s mental health deteriorates
- Financial advice and budgeting
- At the tenant’s request, and where appropriate, supporting them by attending meetings with other professionals
- Working to avoid isolation and promote social inclusion.
- Person Centred Support plans & Risk Assessment review meetings. These identify the person’s needs and goals and how staff can help to meet these. Plans are reviewed every six months, or earlier at the request of the tenant.
- All tenants have opportunities to take part in social activities and meetings to plan and develop the service.
- Coping Skills which supports recovery from mental health problems and general wellbeing.
- All tenants are encouraged to attend Supported Housing Life Skills activities & sessions to develop independent living skills.
- Mind tenants are also encouraged to access the range of other services we provide. We support tenants to refer to other services and external agencies as needed.
- North Kent Mind DOES NOT undertake:
- Personal care
- Shopping
- Domestic duties
The Aims of Supported Housing Service are:
- Support individuals on their mental health recovery process
- Liaise with external professionals & agencies to work in partnership to offer holistic support.
- Promote independent living skills
- Empower people to achieve their goals
- Support & assist improving each tenant’s quality of life
- Promote social inclusion of people struggling with mental health conditions
Service Eligibility Criteria:
- The applicant requires the support delivered by the service. May have secondary needs related to homelessness, substance misuse, learning disability, physical disability, sensory impairment, or other health and social care related needs.
- When vacancies do occur, we notify the referrer and potential tenant.
- Resident of Kent (3 years / Local Connection Criteria)
- Be in need of Housing in one of these 3 areas: Dartford, Gravesham or Swanley
- Be over 18 and suitable for single person accommodation
- Have, or be recovering from, a mental health problem (Mental Health Diagnosis needed)
- Been abstinent, when in recovery from any substance use for a minimum of 6 months
- Need the type of housing support we provide (low level support/2 hr support per week)
- Need the type of housing we can provide (self-contained flats for single accommodation/ no staff in the premises)
- Be able to use the supported housing service to make a positive difference in their /your life and move on to live independently within 2 years of tenancy (we only offer short hold tenancy agreements -2 years)
- Not be a risk to the health, safety and well-being of other tenants (Those presently in crisis won’t be suitable)
(If you have issues using the online form you can download a referral form or call Supported Housing 01322 291380 for more information)