Keeping a roof over their head

A report into North Lanarkshire Council’s Tenancy Support Service covering Bellshill and Viewpark gave the quality of care and support, staffing, and management and leadership a grade of five (out of six).

The service focuses on the personal support needs of users and their ability to keep their tenancy.

To achieve this a range of practical help is in place including assisting with financial issues and signposting people to benefits they are entitled to, improving life skills such as dealing with personal correspondence and managing health issues.

In addition to the Care Inspectorate’s comments people using the service also spoke very highly of the help they received.

One resident described their experience of using the service: “They come out to see me every week, just make sure I’m okay. I have been very happy with the support. I didn’t know this kind of thing existed. The staff helped me get things together for my house and help with my money.”

Councillor Barry McCulloch, convener of Housing and Social Work Services said: “The service offers a lifeline to people who struggle to stay in their homes and keep their tenancy, and makes a significant impact in reducing the number of people finding themselves homeless and in crisis.

“Our professional, trained and highly motivated workforce was also highlighted as a key to the service’s success. People using the service told the inspectors they had been respectfully treated and that staff often went ‘above and beyond’ to help them.”