Deciding to move into your own home is a life-changing decision whatever your personal circumstances, but particularly for young people with SEND.
In Gateshead we have established a multi agency Accommodation and Support Group where young people and adults who are likely to have eligible needs under the Care Act 2014, are referred who require housing and support. The group work with the Gateshead Housing Company, registered social landlords and developers to ensure that there is a good range of high quality provision that is safe, secure and meets a wide range of needs. We wanted to make a video about Independent Living to share with young people and their carers to support those early discussions around housing options and show what is available.
Caroline O’Neill is the Strategic Director for Children, Adults and Families at Gateshead Council. “Most of us dream when we’re younger about having a home of our own, but some people with SEND don’t get the choice of where they live or who they live with. We want to put that right in Gateshead. A person’s disability should not be seen as the main factor when considering housing options. Rather, we should think about what they want in their life and to help them achieve that.”
Gateshead Accommodation and Support Group
In 2019 Gateshead Council, on behalf of the Gateshead Housing Company, acquired a block of flats in the west of the Borough and offered them to the Accommodation and Support Group to offer them to tenants who had care and support needs. A care provider, Livability, was awarded the contract to support the tenants with some care and support needs.
Click here to download a document detailing individual stories of people successfully moving into their own homes during the national pandemic of 2020:
More information about the support available for adults living in Gateshead with a disability/support needs can be found by viewing our Adult social care site, emailing adultsocialcaredirect@gateshead.gov.uk or phoning 0191 433 7033.