Page 91 - Getting it Right for Vulnerable Children and Young People in North Ayrshire

2.3.2 Preparation for independent living In order to prepare homeless people for independent living, reduce the risk of repeat homelessness and alleviate the impact of homelessness, every person accepted as homeless within North Ayrshire, undertakes a support assessment and is offered a package of support tailored to their individual need. The Council and support partners use a matrix scoring system which grades the level of people’s support needs under key support categories. A service user is then offered a package of support determined by both the level of the score and their specific support requirements. The matrix assessment is undertaken on a regular basis in order to determine the success of the support intervention. At the point of resettlement support staff work to ensure the client can furnish their new home assisting with Social Fund and furnished tenancy grant applications and assisting with access to furnishings. Housing support is provided to homeless households following resettlement dependant on need and where there are on-going support issues; alternative mainstream support provision will be co- ordinated during the resettlement process. The above is not an exhaustive list, any agency concerned about a family they are working with were risk factors are prevalent should in the first instance make a referral directly to the Council’s Homelessness Assessment Prevention and Advice Service based at Rivergate House Irvine 01294-314700. Below is a summary of support service availability and useful contacts across North Ayrshire: 89