Learning Disability & Autism awards
We are delighted to have been shortlisted for another award in the Learning Disability & Autism Awards. This is for our housing and support scheme Albi Court in Cornwall which has been nominated in the category of `supported housing'.
Albi Court is a block of 8 high specification, one-bed flats, a separate pod for sleep-in staff and communal space. Customers living there have learning disabilities and mental health issues and although they live in their own flats 24/7 onsite support is available.
Advance worked closely with local commissioners in Cornwall to help meet the needs of their Housing Strategy 2017-2020 by delivering support in a new way which provided opportunities for people who are not able to live safely and independently in the community.
Our housing officers have excellent relationships with customers and their families and regularly meet them individually or at tenancy meetings. Our extensive local knowledge combined with our effective working relationships with local agencies means we can support the health and well-being and aspirations of our customers.
We offer a `core and cluster’ model, meaning less direct support hours for individuals but an increase in `pooled’ 24/7 onsite support. Advance felt it was important to combine the housing and support offer to provide an holistic service for customers with complex needs so they could have their own front door with as much independence as possible.
Even if we don't win it's great to get the external acknowledgement that awards like this bring.