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London council introduces peer-supported housing for mental health patients (29 December 2015)

Date: 29/12/2015
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, London council introduces peer-supported housing for mental health patients

Haringey Council in north London is working with national housing and support provider Sanctuary Supported Living (SSL) to create an innovative pathway of services in housing-related support to help people with medium to high mental health support needs make the successful transition to independent living.

Launching in April 2016, the service is part of a wider mental health partnership pathway with Haringey Council, the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and the Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust.

There will be a total of four mental health housing-related support services in the borough of Haringey – one Sanctuary-supported housing service will provide 24-hour cover for clients, while a second known as a forensic service will work with people who have been through the Criminal Justice System.

The 24-hour support services will offer residents the opportunity to network with peer support workers who have been through the mental health recovery process.

A third and fourth service will see SSL provide visiting support to people living in Sanctuary flats without an on site staff presence.

SSL said there is no formal limit to the length of time a tenant can stay in the housing, but the average length of stay in the 24-hour and forensic services is expected to be between 18 and 24 months.

Support at all four services will be personalised according to each resident’s needs, as will the type of housing they move on to when they no longer need support.

SSL area service manager Sharon Lewis said:

“We’re looking forward to building on our existing work with Haringey Council and extending our support services to greater numbers of people in the borough, who will benefit from them.

“Through innovative service delivery models, we will be able to help more people on the road to independent living.

“People who have undergone the recovery process are best placed to understand the impact of adverse mental health on the daily lives of our tenants.

“Some have chosen to work with us to help our tenants gain a deeper understanding of their illness, which can make a significant contribution to their support package.
“We’re looking forward to continuing our work with Haringey Council and other partners in the area under the pathway, to help ensure people with mental health needs get the most appropriate support possible.”

Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is the UK’s largest provider of Legal Aid mental health services and can advise mental health patients on a wide range of issues – including access to NHS mental health services and detention under the Mental Health Act.

Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors regularly visit NHS hospitals and police stations to advise on mental health law – and are available nationwide at short notice for hospital and police station appointments.

In some cases, Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors may be able to advise the nearest relative or carer of a mental health patient on a range of issues, including initiating treatment reviews where appropriate.

For expert legal advice on mental health law, call the Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors Helpline on 0333 772 0409.

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