Accessing the service

Who qualifies for support?

Clients can apply for support if they are moving away from support services, having difficulty coping with their tenancy or are moving out of supported accommodation.

We currently provide support to the following client groups. However, the intention of the Housing Support Link is to indentify the needs of the city by accepting referrals for different client groups and ensuring that the services we provide in the future meet the needs of these groups. Current client groups:

Young people (16 and 17)
Young people leaving care
Homeless families or families at risk of becoming homeless
People with drug or alcohol misuse issues
People with diagnosed mental health problems
People with HIV / AIDS
Offenders or people at risk of offending
Women at risk of domestic abuse
Refugees
Offenders
Teenage parents
LGBT (lesbian, gay, trans young people - under 25)
Single homeless people with support needs

Some of the needs we cater for include:

Offending
Drug misuse issues
Alcohol misuse issues
Mental health issues
Physical health issues
Disability / specific needs
Maximise income
Need help to obtain accommodation if you live in supported accommodation
Develop confidence and great choice / control / involvement
Better manage self harm
Need support to maintain accommodation
Threat of eviction
Suffering domestic abuse (or risk of)
Avoid harm to others
Suffering harassment
Suffering or causing anti-social behaviour

Referrals can be made by professionals and agencies or as a self referral, which will require an interview.

Accessing the service

The fastest way to access a floating support service is for an agency, social worker, health professional or probation officer, you are working with to email a completed referral form to the service.

If you don't have anyone to submit the form on your behalf you should complete a self referral form and also email this to the service. We will contact you to make an appointment.

All completed forms should be submitted to housingsupportlink@salford.gov.uk.

Drop in sessions and appointments

The service is based in the three Gateway Centres located across Salford.

Walkden Gateway, Interview Room 2, every Monday
Pendleton Gateway, Interview Room 4, every Wednesday
Eccles Gateway, Interview Room 2, every Friday

The service is available at the above from 9.30am - 12.00pm (drop in session) and 1.00pm - 4.15pm (appointment only).

What happens next?

Referrals from professionals will be processed and sent directly to the most appropriate floating support service for an assessment. The applicant may be placed on a waiting list or provided with support relevant to their needs. If the support provider decides the needs of the client are not sufficiently high enough for them to provide a service they will be signposted to a more suitable service where this is possible.

Once a completed self referral application form has been received, the applicant will be contacted by an officer from Housing Support Link and an appointment will be offered.

If no appointments are available within five days the applicant will be invited to attend a morning drop in session at the Gateway centres. The applicant will then be referred to the most appropriate floating support service for an assessment. They may be then placed on a waiting list or provided with support relevant to their needs. If the support provider decides the needs of the client are not sufficiently high enough for them to provide a service they will be signposted to a more suitable service where this is possible.

Applicants will have a choice of the service they are referred to, as does any referral agency, however at times of high demand, or if there is a more suitable service provider available to meet the needs of the service user an alternative service provider may be offered.