Support Available

Housing Support is a service offering and providing support to individuals who are:-

• Homeless
• At risk of becoming Homeless
• Struggling to manage or maintain their accommodation

Housing Support aims to support you to maintain your tenancy, prevent homelessness and promote your independence.

We will support you to identify, explore and plan achievable goals.These could be related to key areas that support your current housing arrangement such as accommodation, health, safety & security, social & economic wellbeing and employment & meaningful activity.

We can also put you in touch with other services and / or refer you to our partner agencies if required.

Depending on your assessed needs, Housing Support can assist you in a range of ways, including:

• helping you settle into your home
• supporting you to develop or maintain independent living skills
• working with you to understand and manage your tenancy rights and responsibilities
• supporting you to build skills in managing money, bills and budgeting
• helping you to improve your skills, explore leisure activities and access employment opportunities
• supporting you to engage with other services and signpost you as appropriate

• managing your finances on your behalf
• paying your bills for you
• personal care, including help with washing and dressing
• housework, cooking or carrying out repairs
• collecting prescriptions or administering medication
• doing your laundry or ironing
• counselling or therapeutic interventions
• resolving disputes between you and other individuals

These tasks fall out with the scope of Housing Support and may require other specialist services.

Some links if you need help now

The Housing Support Plan helps us understand what you need so we can support you in the best way.  The information you share is your own, and you are agreeing that we can use it to shape a plan that reflects what matters most to you.

Step 1:  Referral. 

A Referral can be made by you directly, or, subject to your permission, by another party involved in support, including

• your Housing Officer
• your Social Worker or other professional
• your landlord 
• family and friends

Step 2: Initial Contact

Following receipt of a referral, a member of the Housing Support Team will contact you directly.

Step 3: Assessment Meeting

You will have a meeting with a representative of the Housing Support Team to begin developing your individual Housing Support Plan.  This meeting will focus on identifying your specific housing support needs.

Step 4: Allocation of Support

Once your housing support requirements have been agreed, you will be introduced to a Community Housing Support worker who will help you put your support plan into action.

Housing Support is available to all Council and private tenants, and home owners across Shetland.  If you are a Hjaltland Housing Association tenant, please contact them directly to discuss the housing support service they provide.

Getting in touch

If you would like more information or wish to discuss your individual circumstances, you can contact the Housing Support Team.  They will be able to explain the service in more detail and advise on the support that may be available to you.

You have the right to opt out of support at any time and you can speak to your Community Housing Support worker if you are thinking about ending the service.  Support will also end when you have met the goals set out in your support plan.

Housing Support Shetland are regulated by the Care Inspectorate.  Welcome to the Care Inspectorate