It’s your move… Taking control of your housing options © Action for Blind People, June 2006 Take a minute and think about what home means to you. Action for Blind People recognises that you are an individual. Choosing the right housing is a crucial decision and it is about much more than a roof over your head. We all want different things from life and the choices we make about housing are influenced by many factors. Our local environment is forever changing and we need to constantly adapt to the new challenges these changes present to our lifestyle and mobility. As a result there are times when our current home no longer meets our individual needs and preferences. Action for Blind People believes that decisions about your housing options should not simply be influenced or restricted by your visual impairment because you will also have other expectations and aspirations. The information in this brochure is designed to provide support and guidance and offers some detail about the options available including our own Action Housing Services. My housing doesn’t meet my needs When someone tells us that they need to move to a specialist home because of their sight problem our first question is always – why? Think about it. What does home really mean to you? Before assuming that moving is the only option, consider whether, with the right support and some minor adjustments, you could continue to live independently in your home. However, if you choose to move then there are many choices available to you. I want to move home, what are my choices? When selecting housing there are many options to choose from. To help you make informed choices we have listed some of the options. 01 Private renting 02 Social housing which includes Council tenancy, Housing Associations and Registered Social Landlords 03 Care homes 04 Supported accommodation Organisations providing supported accommodation 05 Specialist housing Organisations providing specialist housing 06 Purchasing and Shared Ownership 07 Action for Blind People Housing Services 01 Private Renting If you want to live independently in privately rented accommodation, your main sources of information will be local newspapers in the area you are hoping to move to, letting agencies and the internet if you have access to it. All landlords must comply with the Housing Act 1996, which outlines the rights you have as a tenant, and many letting agencies will provide additional services to support you in making the right choice. New housing rules have come into force in 2006 which require some landlords to have a licence if they rent out multiple occupancy accommodation where bathroom and kitchen facilities are shared. Top tips · Find out the terms and conditions of tenancy. · Agree an inventory of equipment and its condition with your landlord, once you have moved in, it becomes your responsibility. · Make sure the information that is left for you about how equipment works is accessible to you. · Take photos of the condition of the property, this will ensure no disagreements about refunding deposits. · Ensure gas and electrical appliances have been tested to meet legal requirements. · If you own a pet, including a guide dog, your choices of property may be limited. · Know who to contact if there is a problem or emergency to do with your home. Further Information Many letting agents are members of the Guild of Letting and Management. Members agree to meet certain codes of practice and standards approved by Government. For further information, they can be contacted at 4 The Briars, Waterberry Drivem Waterlooville, Hants, PO7 7YH Telephone: 01992 420022 Fax: 01992 463870 Website: www.guild-let.co.uk 02 Social Housing Social housing includes council housing and accommodation provided by Housing Associations. Housing Associations are monitored by the Housing Corporation, which ensures they meet certain standards and are inspected regularly. As a tenant of any social housing you will be given a Tenant’s Charter which will outline information about how your property is managed and also about how you will be consulted over proposed changes. To apply for social housing you may need to contact your local council’s housing department in the first instance, although some Housing Associations will accept applications from individuals. It is likely that there will be a waiting list and the most urgent cases will be treated as priorities. Most local authorities now operate a choice based lettings system which is different from the traditional way of allocating housing via a waiting list. Choice Based lettings allows applicants for social housing and tenants who want to transfer, to apply for vacancies which are advertised widely in the neighbourhood, for example in a local newspaper, website or property shop. If you are living in permanent, self contained accommodation and renting from a council or housing association and you want to move within the UK then you can register on HOMESWAP. For more information or to register, visit www.homeswap.org.uk Further Information To find out more about social housing, contact your local council’s housing department and ask for information about securing housing either directly through the local authority or through a local housing association. Alternatively, you can ring SHELTERLINE free on 0808 800 4444 24 hours a day, where you can talk to an experienced housing advisor who may be able to refer you to a local housing aid centre. 03 Care Homes Looking for a care home Moving into a care home means significant change but with information about the opportunities this can be a very positive choice. Knowing where to start is often the most difficult step to take. The following information will signpost you to various organisations who will be able to assist you in being able to make informed choices. You may already have a social services care manager, but if not it is advisable that you contact your local social services who will assign one to you, to support you through the process. This may involve various assessments including a financial one which will assess your ability to pay for your care. In some cases you may not be able to access a care home without a care manager but your local authority will advise you on this. If you have substantial capital to support you then you may be apply to a home without going through social services. However, if this capital will not sustain you for a long period of time, you should be aware that if you need to seek future financial support social services may not cover the level of fees that you require. All care homes have to be registered with the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). Their job is to register, inspect and report on care services in England and to stamp out bad practice. Choosing a home In order to make a fully informed choice, you need clear and comprehensive information. You should be offered the following by a prospective home; if not you have the right to ask for it. · A statement of purpose setting out aims and objectives of the service, outlining the range of services and facilities available and the terms and conditions on which it does so in its contract of occupancy with residents. This may be in the form of a brochure. · A copy of the most recent inspection report – this will include details of any action the CSCI inspector has identified in the form of a requirement or recommendation for improvement. Top tips · Visit more than once. · Ask questions – as many and as often as you need. · Ask for a trial stay – it is your right to do this. · Visit unannounced and observe daily life in the home. · When visiting, talk to staff and other residents, not just the manager. · Listen to how staff address residents. · Ask to look at their complaints book and ask what their complaints procedure is. · Ask about their experience of working with blind and partially sighted people and what training the staff have received. · Find out the House Rules. · Find out what involvement you will have in the decisions made about your life in your new home. Further information CSCI Headquarters (England) Commission for Social Care Inspection 33 Greycoat Street, London SW1P 2QF Website: www.csci.org.uk Telephone: 0845 0150120 There are also regional offices in London and Newcastle which you can get details of from the above number or CSCI website. For further details about care homes, contact your local social services department who will be able to send you a list of care homes in your area. 04 Supported Housing Supported housing is accommodation with an element of support provided as part of the package. This is designed for people with additional needs which may include a disability. To access supported housing it is important that you can demonstrate that you need the additional support provided as part of this package. Some examples of support that might be provided with this housing option: · Help with shopping, errand running and good neighbour tasks. · Access to local community organisations. · Peer support and befriending. · Emotional support, counselling and advice. · Help in managing finances and benefit claims. Top tips · Visit more than once. · Ask questions – as many and as often as you need. · What are the support arrangements and how do you access them? · What is the rent? How is it broken down and do you know what you are paying for? · Find out what happens if your needs change. Will you be asked to move on? · Find out terms and conditions of tenancy including what your rights are. · Find out if there is a local point for meeting fellow tenants for conversation and participation in social events. · Have a walk around: Is the environment attractive and well cared for? · How will they involve you in decisions that affect you? Further information To find out more about supported housing options, contact your local council’s housing department. 05 Specialist Housing A number of organisations provide housing specially adapted for people who are blind or partially sighted, although this is not available everywhere. You may find that you will need to move to a different area which may sever important links you have with your community, especially if you have lived in the same area for a number of years. You may also be moving further away from your friends, family and advocates who currently provide support to you. Remember, it is worth balancing your desire to live in specialist housing with the potential need to move away from the people and place that you know. Action for Blind People provides a range of housing and information services and we can also work with you to provide support when choosing from a wide range of housing options. We are only ever a phonecall away… and happy to help. Further Information To find out information about organisations that provide specialist housing for blind and partially sighted people, contact Action for Blind People on 0800 915 4666. 06 Purchasing and Shared Ownership If you are considering the option of purchasing then the best place to start is your local bank or building and Shared society who will be able to give you an idea of the size of mortgage you would be able to apply for. Once you know what you can afford then visit your local estate agents who will be able to advise you on all the things you will need to do. They will also be able to give you a valuation on your current property if you have one and give you contact details of a solicitor which you will need to deal with all the conveyancing issues including money transfers. However you do not have to use their solicitor, you can use your own. Shared Ownership If you can’t afford to buy on the open market but would like to own your own home then shared ownership could be the answer for you. You may be able to buy a share of a property from a housing association and pay rent for the rest. Your monthly payments will include repayments on your mortgage, plus rent on the part of the property kept by the housing association. Later, as you can afford it and if you want to you can increase your share until you own the whole property. Don’t worry – it doesn’t mean you have to share your home with someone else. You will have sole occupancy rights! You can apply for shared ownership if you are currently employed or you have sufficient other means to finance your mortgage but can’t afford to buy a suitable property on the open market. Priority is given to · Council or housing association tenants · Key workers, such as nurses, teachers and police officers · People on the council waiting list · First time buyers · People who need to move for social reasons such as overcrowding or to receive support Further information Telephone: 0845 6066161 Website: www.homes.org.uk 07 Action for Blind People Housing Service Action Housing Action for Blind People provides a range of housing services that meet the needs, expectations and aspirations of blind and partially sighted people. Action Housing services include: · Housing Coordinators based in Action Teams. · Bradbury Oak House. · Swail House. Action Teams If you feel your current housing does not provide what you need or want, or are considering a move for any reason then this may be the service for you. Whether it is a new or existing home our team will offer practical support to you, your friends, family and professionals to ensure that your needs and expectations are met and that any concerns you or they may have are addressed. Action Teams can provide you with a number of services including: · Information and support in choosing a new home. · Advice and assistance in managing your transition to a new home. This may include mobility and orientation training, and advice about low vision aids and equipment. · Information provided in a range of accessible formats. · Access to a range of Action for Blind People services and other local services including benefits advice. · Continued support for as long as we agree it will be helpful. Further Information National Freephone Helpline: 0800 915 4666 Website: www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk Tell us what you want Action Teams provide individually led services that will be varied to suit your needs and expectations about the home environment that you live in or intend to move in to. An individual programme will be developed in a partnership between you and an Action coordinator to enable you to live independently. This would normally be done in your own home. Your home The housing that you choose will be affected by many factors. We believe these should not be influenced or restricted simply by your visual impairment. We will take a holistic approach to you as an individual and ensure that we consider all your needs, expectations and aspirations. You have the right to make informed choices about your home and your future. If you do not have access to information then we will work closely with you and any potential housing provider to ensure that information is made available for you in the format of your choice. If you are living in, or considering a move to supported housing or a residential care home then we will work closely with you and the staff there to ensure that they understand how best to support you. We will provide ongoing support to them and will also be back to visit should additional training be needed or should your needs change over time. We will only ever be a phone call away. Ongoing Support From the outset all our work with you will be agreed. This will also include how much time we will dedicate to you as an individual. No other factors will influence this commitment. If we have moved on and your situation changes you can contact the Action team who will revisit you and agree a new programme of support. If you ask us to, as well as working with you we can also support your family, friends and professionals to ensure that we are taking a holistic approach. Further Information If you think that you would benefit from the support of our Action team or would like further information, then don’t hesitate to contact us on: 0800 915 4666. Bradbury Oak House Bradbury Oak House 2-4 Underhill Road East Dulwich London SE22 0AH Tel. 020 8693 7400 Bradbury Oak House is designed for visually impaired people who wish to live independently, with a choice of support available if needed. Every aspect of the building has been designed utilising existing good practice to meet the needs of visually impaired people, using design suggestions from them. Flats in Bradbury Oak House include a variety of adaptations, such as sliding cupboard doors, waist high power points and contemporary and attractive colour contrasts. It provides a secure place to live with a card entry system into the building and security cameras at the main entrances. Bradbury Oak House in East Dulwich is a short walk away from Forest Hill railway station from which trains run directly into central London. There are also direct bus links to the West End, Kings Cross, Blackfriars and Elephant and Castle. · Accommodation for people who want their independence with the knowledge that support is available. · Staff available in person from 8am – 10pm 7 days a week. · Emergency call from 10pm – 8am 7 days a week. · 38 one bedroom flats suitable for one or two persons. · Monthly tenant house meetings. · Lounge – activity room – garden. · Plenty of opportunity to join in social events. · Laundry facilities. · Easy access to Horniman Gardens and Dulwich Park. · Within easy reach of central London. For further information, please call 020 8693 7400 “Bradbury Oak has a warm and friendly atmosphere. There are good support services and staff are very friendly and always willing to help. I can’t think of a better place to live.” Joe Swail House 15 Ashley Road Epsom Surrey KT185AZ Tel.01372 720742 Swail House offers blind and partially sighted people the choiuce of living independently while experienced staff are always available to provide support when needed. The flats at Swail House were the first in the world to be specially designed and built to meet the needs of visually impaired people. Swail House flats are situated in the spacious grounds in a quiet residential area close to the town centre. Epsom railway station, with links to central London, is only a 10 minute walk away. · Accommodation for people who can manage their own homes. · 55 flats for single people and couples. · Sighted partners welcome. · Staff on call night and day. · Laundry facilities. · Lounge for social events. · Warm and friendly atmosphere. · Plenty of opportunity for social activites. · Extensive well-kept gardens. · Easy access to Epsom town centre. For further information please call 01372 720742. “Knowing that help is at hand 24 hours a day should we need it is very reassuring. We settled in here extremely quickly – everyone is so helpful and friendly.” Les and Maureen Thomas Pocklington Trust Thomas Pockington Trust is the largest provider of specialist housing and care services in the UK for people with sight loss. The charity offers a range of housing and care services including residential care, extra care sheltered housing, supported and independent housing and respite care. Community based services including home care and support, day services and home visiting are also available. An increasing team of volunteers helps staff deliver quality services that promote independence and choice. Pocklington Court, Roehampton 020 8789 1893 Approximately seventy tenants live at Pocklington Court in sheltered accommodation comprising 52 studio and 12 one-bedroom flats. Domiciliary care is provided under a contract arrangement with Wandsworth Borough Council. A cleaning service is available for those tenants who want it. Pocklington House, Northwood 01923 824585 This purpose built residential home has recently been refurbished throughout. It is situated in attractive wooded grounds in a pleasant residential area close to transport links. There are 34 rooms, one respite room and an extra care sheltered flat. Pocklingon Lodge, Shepherds Bush 020 8743 8688 This centre provides accommodation for younger people who are working (or seeking work) in the London area. The new building was completed in 2000 and now provides a total of 50 flats comprising: studio, one-bed and two-bed flats and one three-bed bungalow. Staffing support is provided to tenants during normal office hours. Pocklington Place, Birmingham 0121 476 4161 Pocklington Place stands in pleasant wooded grounds in the leafy suburb of Bournville. The residential care home comprises 38 rooms and respite care is available. The 46 extra care sheltered flats provide a mixture of studio and one-bed flats with staff support, and access to additional services when required including a range of activities and lunches. Also on site is a day-centre, providing support to 12 users a day, 3 days a week. Pocklington Rise, Plympton, Plymouth 01752 339553 Pocklington Rise stands in extensive wooded grounds and provides residential care for 27 residents in addition to 466 extra care sheltered housing flats. Extensive support services are available to tenants as are a range of social activities. Meals cooked on the premises are available every day of the year. A social club for up to 20 people living in the community is held on-site on Saturdays every two weeks. Pocklington Day Services, Stourbridge 01384 440 333 This service is a partnership between Thomas Pocklington Trust, Dudley Social Services and Dudley Council for Voluntary Service. Based at the Mary Stevens Centre in Stourbridge, the service provides a range of activities three days a week. Pocklington Resource Centre, Balham 020 8675 4246 The Pocklington Resource Centre is a partnership between Thomas Pocklington Trust and Wandsworth Social Services. The Centre comprises three main support service areas – day activities, a taped news service, and a home visiting and befriending service. The centre works closely with local colleges and community groups. Thomas Pocklington Trust Head Office 5 Castle Row Horticultural Place Chiswick W4 4JQ Telephone: 020 8995 0880 Email: info@pocklington-trust.org.uk Website: www.pocklington-trust.org .uk Times of Crisis Help is available. If you have exhausted your options and do not know where to turn next then contact your local council’s housing department or Housing Executive. They have a legal responsibility to support people who ask for help because they are homeless or about to become homeless. Alternatively contact your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau. Take Action! We hope this brochure has provided some useful information to help you make informed choices about a range of housing options. We have listed numerous sources of information and support and are available to provide further guidance, should you need it, so don’t hesitate to call us. General Information Action for Blind People is a dynamic national charity that supports over 20,000 blind and partially sighted people, their friends, family and professionals across the UK each year. We offer support with finding a job, applying for benefits, advice on housing issues, aids and adaptations, holiday breaks, and information on local services. Whatever the need, Action can help. We recognise the need for practical, solution focused services and work hard to provide them Our Mission To inspire change and create opportunities to enable blind and partially sighted people to have equal voice and equal choice. Action for Blind People 14-16 Verney Road London SE16 3DZ National Freephone Helpline: 0800 915 4666 Visit our website: www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk Registered charity no: 205913