GLOSSARY
Advocate/advocacy
An independent person who acts on behalf of or in the interests of the service user in influencing outcomes.
Affordable Housing
Housing of a reasonable quality that is affordable for people on modest incomes.
Antisocial behaviour
Defined in the 2004 Antisocial Behaviour (Scotland) Act as meaning, in relation to an action or a course of conduct, any behaviour which, "caused or is likely to cause alarm, distress, nuisance or annoyance". Conduct is defined as including speech and a course on at least two occasions.
Assertive outreach
A flexible and client orientated approach to reach people who are most disengaged from services. It provides reliable, long term, intensive support to meet clients' needs. It is characterised by a team approach (as opposed to a key worker approach); having one point of access; a flexible range of interventions depending on the client's needs and circumstances; having a low caseload and delivering the service where the client is happiest to meet.
Assessment
A system for identifying a person's or household's needs in regard to their health, personal or social care needs and the services required to meet these needs.
Complex/ multiple needs
A combination of 2 or more needs, that may include mental health problems, prior abuse, substance misuse, physical health problems, a physical disability, challenging or institutionalised behaviours. If one were to be resolved, the others could give cause for concern.
Core and cluster
Accommodation where there is a central unit that provides support, usually at a higher level than those living in dispersed 'clustered' accommodation, and to which the service user can move onto when they need less support. Cluster units may be located more or less near the core unit from which the support is delivered.
Direct access hostel
A hostel which accepts self referrals as well as referrals from other agencies. Beds are generally allocated on a first come first served basis, although the hostel resident mix may be considered.
Dual Diagnosis
A medical term usually used to describe a person who has both an alcohol or drug problem and an emotional/psychiatric problem. The person requires treatment for both problems.
Floating support
Support services that are provided to individuals regardless of where they are staying. If the person moves the support moves with them. The level of support provided is flexible and is needs led. Forms of floating support covered in this study are those of housing support or tenancy support services.
Foyer
Accommodation with support is provided to young people who are homeless or in housing need. It is linked to seeking training and employment opportunities for these young people.
Homeless and in priority need
People who are assessed as homeless are then assessed to see if they meet the criteria for priority need, with those in priority need including those who have dependent children, are pregnant, are 16 or 17 years, or who are vulnerable as a result of e.g. having a physical disability, a mental health problem, a personality disorder, old age, or being discharged from an institution such as hospital or prison.
Homeless intentionally
A homeless (or potentially homeless) applicant, in priority need, has been found to have done something deliberately that caused them to lose their accommodation, whereas it would have been reasonable for her/him to continue to live in that accommodation.
Housing Support Services (sometimes termed tenancy support services)
The Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 defines housing support services as including any service that provides support, assistance, advice or counselling to an individual with particular needs with a view to enabling that individual to occupy, or to continue to occupy, their home. Regulations prescribe the housing support services which attract Supporting People funding they include:
- general counselling and support including befriending;
- assisting with the building's security, and arranging minor repairs, providing life skills training;
- advising or assisting with - personal budgeting, debt counselling, dealing with benefit claims, relationships and disputes with neighbours and with the resettlement of the service user.
Hostel
Temporary or transitional accommodation with either or both board or shared facilities for the preparation of food and is for a minimum of six residents. Staff services can include supervision, housing advice and support services.
Person centred approach
An ethos and systems that aim to ensure that services do their utmost to listen to what service users want and then make sure this happens. In this approach service user's needs and preferences drive both the planning and delivery of accommodation and support services.
Registered social landlord
Social landlords (generally housing associations or cooperatives) that are registered with Communities Scotland.
Scottish Secure tenancy ( SST)
The type of tenancy that local authority and RSL tenants have normally and which came into effect in 30 th September 2002. These replaced their secure and assured tenancies.
Section 5 referrals
S5 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 allows local authorities to refer a homeless household in priority need and which is unintentionally homeless for permanent housing to an RSL.
Short Scottish secure tenancy (Short SST)
A version of the Scottish secure tenancy where the tenant has fewer rights and that can only be granted in specific circumstances, such as it has to last for a minimum for 6 months.
Single Shared or Integrated Assessment
An assessment that is person centred and needs led; relates to level of need and is a process not an event. It aims to seek information once, via a lead professional who coordinates the process including all contributions from other professionals and agencies. The assessment produces a single summary of the assessment of need. It actively involves the service user and their carers; it is a shared process that supports joint working and provides results acceptable to all the agencies.
Support
A range of assistance spanning practical help such as help with form filling, budgeting, housekeeping and emotional help, such as dealing with loss, lack of confidence.
Supported accommodation
The provision of interconnected accommodation and support services that are generally managed by the same provider in a shared accommodation unit.
Supporting People
The policy and funding framework for the provision of housing support services with the aim of enabling vulnerable people to live independently in the community.
Supported lodgings
Accommodation provided to a vulnerable 'client' - often a young person who has left care and where the client lives with a family or landlord/lady. Training and support is usually provided to those participating by the local authority.
Transitional services
These are temporary accommodation and/or support services that are geared to help people move forward from the circumstances and difficulties associated with their homelessness, towards a more positive life stage and social and economic integration. They may include resettlement support, supported accommodation and other temporary accommodation that is geared to resettlement.
Women's Refuge
Emergency and temporary accommodation, often with shared facilities, for women (with or without children) who have experienced domestic abuse.