BIH Extension to Centenary House

Once the new extension has opened, 26 additional rooms in Centenary House plus 13 self-contained flats in the new extension will be available. This gives us huge scope to develop our existing resettlement programme. These are our current plans: -

Residents will be required to sign a licence agreement for an initial period of 28 days. During this time, all services such as cleaning and catering will be provided allowing residents space to make informed choices regarding their future. A comprehensive assessment and review will take place after 21 days. If the resident wishes to be part of a resettlement programme within the Centre or as provided through outside agencies, the licence will be extended for a further period and reviewed as required. Residents will then move to the larger rooms on the 1st and 2nd floors.

It is envisaged that as residents move down as part of an agreed programme, they will take a greater responsibility within the Centre. Cluster units of 8 to 10 rooms could be formed with small kitchen/lounge facilities in each unit. Residents would then be responsible for the cleaning and activities within each unit. Staff will promote and encourage as much independence as possible.  

Tenancy of the new flats will be restricted to a period of around 3-6 months. Residents will only be allowed to move into the self-contained flats once an offer has, or will imminently be made of permanent accommodation. Our aim is to work in conjunction with the Social Security Agency in providing community care grants to purchase household items for the flats for each tenant before they move in. This will give the SSA the security that grants are not being misused and will ensure that residents have the basic items for when they move in to their own property. We are also considering the possibility of employing a ‘resettlement officer’ whose role will be to support and offer on-going assistance for a limited time.

The means by which we value residents as individuals by giving them a greater degree of personal choice and responsibility in a building that was designed for ‘community’ and ‘corporate’ living brings ever greater challenges. With transitional housing benefit only in place until 2002, there is a continual need to de-institutionalise some of our outdated practices and procedures and look at innovative new ways of providing the support our residents actually need rather than providing the ‘all in’ package at present.

One way in which we can evaluate our programme and practices is by listening to our residents. In addition to residents meetings and our complaint procedure already in place, the management team are committed to producing a formal confidential evaluation card for residents. This will be monitored and published in future reports along with other statistics. Programmes and procedures will be continually monitored to ensure our aims and objectives are being achieved.

As more residents are successfully being resettled back into the community, the need for on going aftercare and support has been highlighted as this is currently beyond the resources of the Centre. One way of providing this support is through The Salvation Army’s network of volunteers involved in ‘Community Care Ministries’. It is hoped that this, and other initiatives once developed, will provide the support that could well help break the cycle of homelessness.

The management team is committed towards Centenary House achieving the ‘Investors in People’ Award within the next two years. We are also committed to providing a high level of induction, training and support for all our staff to recognised standards.

Centenary House is also well placed and suited for providing short-term respite beds. This will enable carers to have a well-earned rest knowing that their loved ones will be well cared for during their stay with us. 

There is an urgent need for both a user friendly resident’s handbook and a Centre Brochure for public relations work with outside agencies and the community. The Centre is committed to producing these as soon as is practicable.

Our new extension will have a modified flatlet and a self contained flat designed for those with physical disabilities. Staff look forward to the challenge of meeting the needs of this client group.