Independent living for Vulnerable adults Long term volunteers KeyRing living support networks provides services to people with learning disabilities and other vulnerable adults, enabling them to live independently in the community in ordinary tenancies. They work in partnership with Local Authorities and Housing Associations to support a group of nine individuals who live in the same area, usually within walking distance of each other. These individuals (members) live in ordinary one person properties, and a tenth flat is provided to a volunteer who supports the network of members.
How the networks operate
Individuals are members of a network which aims to support them in living in the community and maintaining their tenancy, through pooling their resources and skills. This may include practical skills such as gardening or changing light bulbs, as well as social skills to include individuals in activities that are already happening in the community.
KeyRing recruits a Community Living Volunteer (CLV), whose role is not like that of a keyworker or social worker. Rather one of a skilled good neighbour who can give direct support and also offer access to networks of support in the local community.
The CLV will give information, advice and support in practical matters relating to the tenancy. Support will be offered, for example, in reminding members to pay rent and service bills, ensuring that members understand that they must comply with tenancy conditions, and helping members with benefits. There will also be a demand from members for reassurance and emotional support. While KeyRing does not expect the Community Living Volunteer to offer counselling, KeyRing will expect the Volunteer to respond sympathetically to these needs.
To encourage members to help and support each other in problem solving both on a day-to-day basis and also through meetings with the Members' own group. The CLV will help the Members to set up and maintain this group.
The CLV is not responsible for advising or supporting members in matters of, for example, health, mental health, counselling, social work, law, employment or training. When members do need support with such issues the CLV will seek solutions in consultation with the Community Support Worker or the Supported Living Manager. Solutions might be found in referring members to specialist agencies and, in such instances, the CLV will help Members express their needs to those agencies.
Each network also has a paid Community Support Worker who compliments the role of the volunteer, working with individual members on some of the more in-depth issues such as benefit maximisation or providing intensive regular contact when members need structured support to resolve issues.
Individual members may be referred by the local Adult Services Department, or sometimes through the Housing Association where there are individuals already living in the area who may benefit from the scheme. KeyRing will also work with families when a young adult is moving into a tenancy, to help parents who may be concerned about their child living independently. The majority of networks support people with learning disabilities but many schemes support other vulnerable adults, according to funding.
Recruitment and support of volunteers
Volunteers are recruited through advertising and Volunteer Centres and may volunteer to another part of the country, according to where there is a need and their personal preferences. To fulfil the role, each volunteer is provided with rent free accommodation, fuel and phone. In return volunteers commit to an average of 12 hours per week, although this may vary from week to week according to the needs of the scheme and the individuals within it. When volunteers are recruited it is expected that people will to commit for at least one year and provide references and be CRB checked.
Volunteers are recruited for their interest in the role and their attitude to enabling people to live independently, and many have no previous experience of working in a care setting. Volunteers vary in age from 18 upwards and choose to volunteer as it suits their life at that time – people may be studying, working part-time or downsizing. There is no time limit as to how long volunteers will stay and individuals move on as their life changes, such as when they finish their course. Some volunteers may move from one scheme to another if they wish to live in another part of the country. Within Birmingham, Walsall and Solihull there are five keyRing networks, with six volunteers, where one couple are each volunteering for six hours per week.
Volunteers spend time shadowing the paid Community Support Worker before they meet people on their own, and all volunteers achieve the Learning Disability Qualification (which is nationally recognised) within six months of starting. They then have access to ongoing training, through KeyRing and often through the local Learning Disability Team. Each volunteer meets with the Supported Living Manager on a regular basis to receive support and guidance in the role and review progress.
Funding and Quality Assurance
Most of these networks are funded through the Supporting People programme who also inspect through their Quality Assessment Framework, although there are funding streams for other vulnerable adults who benefit from this kind of support.
Further information
Michelle Lloyd
Supported living Manager
keyRing Living Support Networks
Rooms 13 and 14
Carrs Lane Church Centre
Carrs Lane
Birmingham
B4 7SX
0121 643 3206
Michelle.Lloyd@keyring.org
www.keyring.org
