Community Support

The Haven Community Support Service is an outreach service, which offers support to women and children who have been affected by Domestic Violence, and are living in the community.

The Service aims to help women and children deal with feelings of isolation, and the aftermath of violent and controlling relationships. We aim to empower women to make a positive change, achieve their goals, rebuild their lives, and move forward to live independently in the community.

The Haven Floating Support Service has positive contacts with various organisations throughout Wolverhampton, working alongside these organisations to help women and children cope with situations which they may find difficult to resolve.

 
FLOATING SUPPORT CAN OFFER:
Self-Advocacy
Emotional Support
Support to build self-confidence and social skills
Assistance in setting up and maintaining a tenancy
Advice on housing rights and responsibilities
Advice on welfare benefits, including grants and loans
Assistance with accessing services, including health, social services and probation
Advice with skills development, including budgeting, bill-payment, shopping, cooking and personal management
Assistance in developing skills to gain employment- paid or unpaid
Advice on training and opportunities
Assistance in accessing legal advice and support with court appearances
Assistance with establishing personal safety and security
Assistance with signposting to cultural, community and social groups or facilities
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
Applicants must be female and resident in the Wolverhampton Borough, over 16 years of age, and have experienced Domestic Violence according to the Haven definition. This service is for women who wish to sustain their tenancy. The target group includes women who are:
Leaving Haven Refuges/Resettlement services.
Referred from Haven Partner Projects of Protects
Not convicted of offences against other persons (outside of a DV relationship)
Drug users/Alcohol users who are on a supported programme.
Experiencing Mental Health problems and are supported by Mental Health Services.
Able to demonstrate a commitment to the Floating Support scheme.
PRIORITISING STRATEGY:
Each referral is considered on an individual basis, using the following factors:
Fulfillment of the Floating Support serivce eligibility criteria.
Outcome of Risk Assessment at point of referral including behaviour in Haven Refuges.
Information on criminal convictions.
Degree of individual committment to the aims, policies and procedures of the service.
Degree of tenancy support required.
Level of support offered by family, friends and referral agency.
Availability of service.
 
Applicants with a history of violent behaviour or with a current drug or alcohol problem are not necessarily excluded from the project. These issues are, however, considered in the assessment as to whether or not the referral is suited to the project.

The Haven Wolverhampton Floating Support Service receives funding from Supporting People

© 2009 The Haven Wolverhampton