People with mental health problems often have to wait for more than
a year before they can leave hospital and go into supported
housing.
A report, based on 18 housing projects in three London boroughs,
reveals that most of the residents came into supported housing from
hospital. In two boroughs, staff reported significant numbers of
people in hospital waiting for accommodation, with some people
being placed outside the borough because of shortages of suitable
housing.
Delays were attributed to gaps in provision, particularly for
people with specific needs, such as those with dual diagnosis or a
forensic history, and those requiring single-sex
accommodation.
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Most of the residents interviewed had found their accommodation
through their social worker, community psychiatric nurse or key
worker. While the residents spoke positively about staff, there
were concerns over the lack of continuity and communication between
agencies.
The residents who were most content with their housing situation
tended to be in supported accommodation with some independence.
However, it was reported that there was a reluctance on the part of
some clients to move into less supportive settings and that
statutory sector workers tended to be overly cautious about placing
them there.
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Housing project staff said that the dependency levels of people
being referred to them in the first place were increasing.
The report calls on the government to reflect London's own unique
requirements for mental health services in the way central funds
are allocated.
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Getting a Move On available from
www.london.gov.uk
