Ensuring customers at Housing Plus schemes are kept safe

Housing Plus provides a wide range of support to help customers aged 55 and over, or those with a disability, to manage their tenancies so they can stay at home for longer.

The Housing Plus Team provide excellent person-centred support to customers to enable them to live independently, providing personalised advice on support packages and supported housing options suited to their needs, offering the service to all NCC, Leazes Homes tenants, leaseholders and prospective tenants.

There are more than 900 residents in 23 well located developments, each offering individual apartments with 24-hour emergency call systems to help customers keep their independence and create a relaxed and safe atmosphere.

Customer safety is at the heart of everything we do at Your Homes Newcastle, whether it is secure door entry systems or 24-hour access to our Ostara service, we aim to ensure those over the age of 55 or in need of additional support feel safe in their own homes.

Each of our Housing Plus schemes has an onsite officer, who is available to help any resident, answer questions and help organise activities for residents.  All Housing Plus Officers have a number of roles and responsibilities at each scheme, including completing regular support plans, daily welfare checks and referrals to other agencies where appropriate.

The Officers are responsible for informing residents of the latest Fire and Health & Safety Procedures this includes fire evacuation, fire alarm testing, reporting individual property repairs, carrying out checks inside the flat including the emergency pull cord, doing an annual home fire risk assessment, and overseeing a six-monthly fire evacuation drills. Our Housing Plus Officers also carry out building management checks to ensure health and safety requirements are met, monitor external contractors in the building, and inspect for and report any communal repairs needed.

Housing Plus Officers work alongside other organisations, including Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, responding to any of their requests and working on the Compliance Fire Safety Assessment.  They are also vigilant for any safeguarding issues – such as financial abuse, self-neglect, cuckooing and more – and liaise closely with Adult Social Care, residents, family and support networks.

Our Ostara system is available 365 days a year and responds to people who have fallen or are unwell – the Officers also respond to the warden call system when on site, contact emergency services, GPs, district nurses or families as required.

YHN also manages Supported Housing for more than 300 vulnerable customers that have a variety of needs including Learning Disability, Mental Health and people requiring Assisted Living.  Our Supported Living developments are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so that customers can receive the support they need to live independently and maintain their tenancies.