All of the teams based within Advice and Support can help with the following:

• look at what help and support you may need
• support you to develop skills so you can manage a tenancy
• help you set up home
• give advice on benefits
• give advice on accessing furniture
• give advice that can help you stay in your tenancy
• provide advice on budgeting
• provide advice on debt
• can help you to live independently
• look at all of your problems and help you deal with them
• work with other agencies to help and support you
• help you look at your future plans and aspirations.

We are organised into 3 teams:

The ASW Outreach Team

The ASW Outreach Team will work with any prospective or current council tenant to help them set up or manage a tenancy.  There is an Advice and Support Worker based in every housing office to help you.

The Refugee Move On Team

The Refugee Move On Team works with people who have just been granted leave to stay in the UK and have to leave their asylum accommodation.  We will help people with the following:

• access to accommodation
• apply for benefits which they may be entitled to
• find out about the local community
• refer into education, training and employment opportunities.

The Pathways Team 

Pathways is a housing related support service which aims to give vulnerable people ‘Pathways’ into independent living and prevent homelessness.

It is made up of a number of services:

• we can help people who are currently in hospital who will need alternative accommodation when they come out of hospital
• we can help people who have are currently living in supported accommodation and are ready to move onto their own tenancy
• we can help people who are currently in drug/alcohol rehab and are getting ready to move into their own tenancy
• we can help people who need access into private rented accommodation or who are currently living in private sector accommodation (including leaseholders)
• we can help people who have enduring mental health issues who may be currently in hospital or who need some housing support whilst living in a tenancy.