Supporting People
What is Supporting People?
Supporting People is a national Government programme launched in 2003 that funds housing related support services which help vulnerable people live more independently.
The programme aims to:
- deliver services which contribute to good quality of life and promote independence
- deliver high quality services that are strategically planned, cost effective and complement existing council services
- plan and develop services on a needs-led basis
- work in partnership with local government, probation, health, voluntary sector organisations, housing associations, support agencies and service users.
What types of service are offered through Supporting People?
In Barnet, the Supporting People Programme pays for services which work with a wide range of vulnerable people. In total just over 90 different services are delivered by 50 organisations which include voluntary organisations, housing associations and other types of support agencies.
In general, two types of services are available:
- Accommodation based services - where the support and the accommodation are provided together. These include women’s refuges, sheltered housing and supported housing
- Non-accommodation based services, also known as floating support - where the support is provided where you live. When the support is no longer needed, it can float off so someone else may benefit from the service.
What kind of help can I expect to receive?
Supporting People services offer practical support to:
- set up and manage your home
- keep your home safe
- organise adaptations
- Handle difficult forms and letters
- deal with debts and arrears
- manage your money
- access training or employment
- develop skills to cope with these things in future
This support is offered through a designated support worker who will meet with you on a one to one basis generally in your home. You will meet and plan your support together through a personal support plan.
What services does Supporting People not provide?
Supporting People does not provide all the services that someone might need to live independently. The kind of services that Supporting People does not provide include:
- domestic services - such as shopping, gardening or cleaning
- personal care - such as washing and dressing
- healthcare and administration of medication
- specialist counselling or treatment
- general housing services - such as rent advice or repairs services
- day services and centres - such as drop-in centres or community cafes
- residential care or nursing care
- any services for children or young adults under 16 including childcare.
How can I get a Supporting People service?
If you are interested in finding out more about Supporting People services and whether they can help you, please contact our access team.
You may contact the access team by phone or you may prefer to complete a Floating Support Self Referral Form 
(PDF: 51KB) and email or fax this instead.
Access is managed by the Housing Support Team at Barnet Council:
- Tel: 020 8359 3215
- Email: housingsupportteam@barnet.gov.uk
- Fax: 0208 492 8575
What happens next?
Once you contact have contacted the access team, they will discuss on the phone with you what is required.
If they are able to help you then you will then be contacted by a support worker to go through what you need in detail. If the services are busy you may have to wait a short time before getting a service, although if you have a priority need, for example if you are at risk of losing your home, then the service may be able to prioritise you.
Who can I contact to talk about a service or to find out more about the Supporting People programme?
In Barnet the Supporting People programme is managed within Adult Social Care and Health. The Supply Management Team manages Barnet’s Supporting People Programme, and their contact details are displayed on the left.
Email this pageLast modified by: Neha Shah on 13/12/2011