Bowens Close supported living scheme was opened in April 2001 as a result of a partnership between the Southern Health and Social Care Trust and Choice Housing Association (previously known as Ulidia). This enabled 6 adults with a learning disability to move into their own tenancy and be supported by staff. The scheme was made up of 2 dormer bungalows which are rented by the individual from the Housing Association. One of the houses had a 24 hour staff presence which offers support and guidance to the tenants in the second house.
In June 2008 the scheme was extended to include a third house within the cul-de-sac and this enabled a further 3 individuals to move from residential care to supported living. This house provides 24 hour support and increases the scheme to 9 individuals.
Due to the changing needs of the tenants, the three houses now provide 24 hour staff presence.
Bowens Close is situated approximately 2 miles from Lurgan Town centred just off the Banbridge Road in a small cul-de-sac consisting of three houses.
Contacts
Bowens Close
1-3 Bowens Close, Lurgan, County Armagh, BT66 7WD
1-3 Bowens Close, Lurgan, County Armagh, BT66 7WD-
Description of services/opportunities provided
Range of services provided are;
- Assistance with personal care as per the individual’s assessed need.
- Support to maintain and enhance an individual’s life skills through setting agreed and realistic goals
- Support with domestic tasks and food preparation/cooking
- Assistance with managing money and dealing with correspondence
- Assistance with medication
- Support to maintain tenancy re; completing forms / liaising with DHSS/ Housing executive/ housing landlord and Trust
- Advising individuals about safety and security in the community and their own home
- Support with community integration and accessing local services
- Support with neighbour disputes
- Support to attend appointments
Our key objectives are designed to: –
- Engage in regular community experiences by being supported to use local resources.
- Experience maximum choice and participation in their support arrangements by being involved in developing their support plans.
- Receive individually tailored support programmes to enable individuals to achieve maximum control of all aspects of their lives by assessing and planning their support needs with relevant others.
- Promotion of a person centred approach.
- Regular consultation with tenants on the everyday service.
- Enjoy a greater circle of informal support in their lives. This is achieved with greater participation in the community.
- Maintain and promote individuals’ independence in all areas of their lives, in accordance with their assess needs.
-
Routes to access the service
Following an assessment of need, where alternative accommodation is required the case manager in consultation with the service-user, their carers and the multi-disciplinary team present their case to the Accommodation Panel. The aim is to ensure that the service-user’s needs are prioritised. When an appropriate vacancy within a supported living scheme becomes available and is offered to the service-user the case manager will support in their move to their new home.
-
Referral criteria
The service-users’ needs to have a confirmed learning disability and be an open case to the Community Learning Disability Team, Southern Health & Social Care Trust;
Based on the service-user’s assessment of need, there is evidence of care/support needs, and their needs can be met within a supported living scheme;
Our supported living scheme cater for a wide range of care/support needs so it is important that the appropriate scheme is identified to meet the individual needs of the service-user;
The service-user must be actively involved in the process and be happy with their new accommodation;
The service-user must be eligible for housing benefit of if not agree to pay full-costs;
The service-user/appointee must agree to pay the costs associated with a tenant living in the scheme.
-
Videos
-
Covid 19 specific information
Covid 19 guidelines are currently in place and under constant review
-
Makaton signing/easy read
Tenant specific – Speech and Language therapist works with tenant to provide easy read information
-
Advocacy services & contacts
Independent Advocacy are regularly involved with Tenant’s.
Sinéad Campbell
Advocacy Team Leader
Disability Action