Elizabeth House

Where is the project?

Elizabeth House is in St James Road, Croydon - View Contact Details

Who is it for?

Elizabeth House offers supported housing to 16 – 25 year olds with medium to high support needs. Reasons for young people coming to the project may be family breakdown, family abuse, unsuitable accommodation, over-crowding, or the need for higher support than that which they are currently receiving in supported housing.

The aim of the project is to help the young person make a success of living at Elizabeth House, improve their basic life skills as well as their self-confidence and self-esteem, empower them to access training or employment, and work towards them moving out to alternative, less supportive, or independent accommodation.

Common support needs include budgeting issues, lack of general life skills, support needed to gain independence, communication and relationship issues, alcohol / drug use, dealing with historical abuse / self harm, low self esteem, offending behaviour, and mental health issues.

How can you get a place there?

Our referrals come via HAP>25 and SNAP, or internally from the larger hostels within South London YMCA. There is a formal service level agreement in place about how we work with HAP>25 and SNAP, and they will assess needs and housing duty and refer to appropriate projects in the borough of Croydon. They do this by completing a full assessment based around risk, needs and intensity of support. You cannot self-refer, so contact HAP>25 initially, and if appropriate two workers from Elizabeth House will conduct an interview. A decision is made as to suitability and if successful, the young person moves in if there is a vacancy or goes on the waiting list.

How long can you stay?

The average length of stay is 6 months to 18 months. Residents usually move on in one of two ways:-

• Via CRIAS (Croydon Rent In Advance Scheme) into shared private accommodation
• Into lower support accommodation through other housing providers

Key workers work closely with the resident and HAP>25 to find suitable move on accommodation.

What are the facilities

The project has 9 individual rooms with shared bathrooms, and 2 en-suite rooms. All share a communal kitchen, lounge and laundry.

The kitchen at Elizabeth House is self-catering.

What support do you get?

There is 24 hour cover. Night workers provide general support, assist with life skills etc and monitor residents overnight. Day cover is provided by 3.5 Supported Housing Workers, and there is an on-site Service Manager. Day workers provide key work, support planning and life skills work.

All young people have a designated key worker to work with them around the “Every Child Matters 5 outcomes”. These are designed to help residents address all aspects of their lives, some of which may be difficult, and to support their development towards improving their lives.

All key workers have good knowledge and links with appropriate agencies who work with young people – e.g. Off the Record (counselling, anger management etc), Connexions and local colleges.

Social activities are encouraged, some of which are organised by the project, subject to funding. Service consultation and ensuring that the young person engages with the community in which they live is encouraged, and there are regular house meetings.

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