265.19 (Lot 6 of The Deal 2030 Care and Support Ethical Framework) - Supported Living for people with Mental Health needs.

Our vision of Housing with Care Services in Wigan is to deliver asset-based care that empowers people with mental disorder to live as independent life as possible. The service will enable individuals to understand their mental disorder, identify their own key areas of strength and/or independence and live a life that matches their aspirations. It will promote resilience, purpose, autonomy, and the ability to make positive choices that sustain their wellbeing. Fundamentally, reducing risk to self/others and/or readmission to hospital.

Providers will need to be comprehensive and encompass all aspects of mental health to include physical, medical and psychological support. Care Pathways will provide clear and timely assessments, assessing all needs to include those relating to risk from admission to discharge which are critical in avoiding duplication and preventing unnecessary delays.

People who will benefit from this service will be aged 18 years and over and may be:-

• In or leaving Hospital (local acute wards and out of area hospitals including low secure estate)
• Living with mental health in the community
• Offenders who are at risk of causing harm to themselves or others
• In treatment for substance misuse and mental ill-health
• Using substances as a coping mechanism to manage their mental health and not currently accessing treatment support
• Living in unsuitable accommodation

There should be no blanket exclusions to accessing the service. However, people may be refused access to the service where providers can demonstrate an unmanageable risk is presented. Where this is felt to be the case providers will be required to complete a Provider Support Assessment form to outline the reasons behind the refusal and whether there are any mitigating circumstances that would support their admission to the service.

Referrals will come directly from the Housing with Care Team, following the Council's Accommodation Panel process, a single point of access for health professionals and adult social care workers based on need. No self referrals will be permitted without a social care assessment.