Introduction. Contents. Inspire, Compassion, Trust & Hope. Steve Clay Chief Executive. Introduction 3. What are Supported Lodgings?

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1 Host Handbook

2 Contents Introduction Introduction 3 What are Supported Lodgings? 4 Why is There a Need? 4 Aims of YMCA Open Door 5 The Team 6 Criteria for Hosts 7 Assessment Process 8 Accommodating Young People 10 YMCA Open Door Policies 14 Vision & Values of the YMCA 18 Useful Contact Numbers 19 The YMCA's vision is of an inclusive Christian Movement, transforming communities so that all young people truly belong, contribute and thrive. Vision Statement of the English YMCA Movement Welcome to the YMCA! This Handbook is designed to help you quickly get up to speed with what it means to be a Host with YMCA Open Door. The YMCA has local Associations operating across the Black Country in West Bromwich & District (Sandwell), Wolverhampton, Walsall and Dudley providing a range of charitable and community services to meet the needs of young people, children and their families. Please read the instructions and procedures in this handbook carefully. Ensure you understand them and apply them in your everyday practice as a supported lodgings Host. If there are any areas you need clarified, you should discuss these with the Host Coordinator who will be happy to assist. Thank you for becoming part of YMCA Open Door, I trust that your time working with the YMCA will be enjoyable and rewarding. Steve Clay Chief Executive Inspire, Compassion, Trust & Hope YMCA Black Country Values 2 3

3 What are Aims of YMCA Open Door Supported Lodgings? Supported Lodgings provide a young person with a room of their own in a private home where they are a member of a household and given the support of the family or individual living in the home. YMCA Open Door works with young people aged 16 + who are in housing need. The young people come from a variety of backgrounds and have different support needs. Young people can stay with a Host for anything from a few days to 2 years. Support Plans will be agreed between the young person, the support worker and the Host depending on the level of support the young person needs. Many of the young people who are eligible for Supported Lodgings have had their lives disrupted by events in their past. However, positive developments can happen quickly once the young person receives appropriate support and is made to feel safe and secure. Why is there a need? Statistics indicate that every twelve months there are hundreds of young people aged between 16 and 17 in need of housing in the Black Country. However, there are not enough safe and suitable accommodation options for them. Often young people end up sleeping on sofas, in parks, or in unsuitable Bed & Breakfast accommodation. Aim To provide young people with safe, affordable and supportive accommodation, which will enable them to develop skills and manage their lives. Objectives To provide good quality housing that meets the needs of young people as they enter adulthood. To provide a safe learning environment in which young people can develop the skills necessary for adult life. To coordinate holistic support for young people, in enabling them to take responsibility for themselves. Support is provided in the following areas: Budgeting Cooking/healthy eating Shopping Cultural/religious needs Claiming benefits Keeping safe Employment (finding work) Training & Education Move on to independent accommodation Health/personal care 4 5

4 The Team Host Supported Lodgings Hosts are local people with a spare room in their home, who would like to offer support. They have a commitment to providing a safe home to a young person and supporting them towards independent living. Hosts are part of a wider team working to meet the needs of the young person. Project Worker The role of the Project Worker is to support each placement and be the link back to the YMCA and all the resources and programmes available there. The Project Worker supports the Host and the young person. Host Coordinator The Host Coordinator s role is to recruit and assess potential Hosts and produce reports for the Approval Panel. It will be the Host Coordinator who carries out the initial home visits and facilitates Host training. Supported Lodgings Manager The manager is responsible for the running of the service across the Black Country, supervising the staff and planning for the future. There will always be a qualified member of staff available to talk to in the event of an emergency or difficult situation. Criteria for Hosts All kinds of people from different backgrounds become Hosts. You could be a family, a couple or single, employed, unemployed or retired, of any ethnicity, faith or sexuality, male or female, disabled or able-bodied. 1. Hosts must have a spare room; the young person cannot share a room with another member of the family. 2. You must live in the Black Country (Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall or Wolverhampton). 3. All potential Hosts must successfully complete an assessment process and undergo a Criminal Records Bureau check before being accepted onto the scheme. 4. All potential hosts will take part in a preparation programme provided by the YMCA. 5. The host property will be subject to a Health & Safety check prior to the young person moving in. Improvements may be required. You must provide a gas safety certificate for your boiler and any gas fires you have and may need to provide an electrical safety certificate for the property. 6 7

5 Assessment Process Throughout the assessment process, the Host Coordinator is ensuring the suitability of the Host(s) and the property. The coordinator will be looking to ensure that: The property is safe for a young person to live in The Host(s) has the ability to support the young person The young person would be safe around all members of the household The home can provide a positive environment for a young person to live in The assessment will take place through: Two references Two Coordinator s visits An 8 hour training programme An occupational health assessment A Health & Safety Check of the property A Criminal Records Bureau check on all over 16s in the household Once the Host Coordinator is satisfied that an applicant is suitable the details of the Host and the property are placed before an Approval Panel made up of stakeholders in the scheme. Once the Host and the property have been approved, a suitable young person can be placed! Assessment Process Flowchart Potential host responds to publicity Informal Chat Send Handbook & Application Form Arrange first visit Follow up call First Visit Assessment and preparation process discussed General suitability of the home discussed CRB Check complete (If possible) Occupational Health form Application form handed in References taken up Preparation Course Runs alongside the assessment process Second Visit Co-ordinator completes assessment form with potential host Health & Safety check External Health & Safety visit if necessary Approval Panel 8 9

6 Accommodating Young People A Home The idea behind Supported Lodgings is that the young person finds a home within your household. It is not a scheme where you simply rent out a room but where you welcome a young person into your family. It is within this environment that they can safely develop into adults. House Rules Boundaries need to be in place before a young person arrives with a Host to ensure safety and security for all involved. Hosts are asked to decide upon their own house rules for example, Hosts may not want young people smoking in the house, or about what time they should return home at night time. The house rules will form part of the license agreement. Privacy It is essential to ensure privacy for the young person and that the bed provided for them is in a private bedroom for their sole use. Young people should not be asked to share a bedroom as this will compromise their privacy. It is also essential that the young person respects your privacy regarding bedrooms and personal belongings. Payments You will receive a payment of 90 per week from YMCA Open Door. This will be paid monthly by BACS and in arrears. There will also be a separate payment of between 10 and 20 a week from the young person towards utility bills and any food usage agreed. We will provide a rent book for you to keep track of these payments. If there is ever a delay in this payment you must contact the Host Coordinator as soon as you can. How is it funded? The scheme has been funded by the YMCA, Sandwell and Wolverhampton councils and through the Homelessness Transition Fund administered by Homeless Link. The rent is usually covered by Housing Benefit if the young person is eligible for this. For the process to work you will need sign an agreement which provides your spare room to YMCA Black Country to accommodate vulnerable young people. Please ask the Host Coordinator to go through this contract with you and answer any of your queries. Financial Implications It is your responsibility to inform the Inland Revenue and any other interested party of this addition to your income. Through the Rent a Room scheme the first 4250 you receive is tax free. There is unlikely to be any change to your council tax if you currently receive a discount for being the sole adult in a household as the young person will usually be under 18 and/or in education. However, there have been occasions when Hosts have lost their council tax discount because when an over 18 year old not in education has joined their household. The responsibility for this lies with the Host but the young person may agree to pay towards the lost discount. It is also your responsibility to inform your home insurance provider. Most insurers simply want to know you have a lodger but a few companies will add a slight increase to your premium and won t cover you for deliberate damage by the young person. Please also inform your mortgage company or landlord that you will be having a lodger. This is usually a formality. For all of the above areas the Host Coordinator will be happy to write to any relevant party outlining the situation and the vital role you will be fulfilling

7 Holidays You must let the YMCA know as soon as you can (at least 14 days notice) of your holiday plans. There are three alternatives regarding the young person when you go away: If you are happy, the young person can remain in your property If you would rather they did not stay the YMCA will arrange temporary alternative accommodation You are free to take the young person with you! Mail Your address cannot be used by the young person for any loans or hire purchases. All regular mail is permissible and may help the young person to learn some new life skills. Telephone/Internet Access to your telephone and internet is totally at your discretion and you are at liberty to charge expenses but please clearly communicate your expectations when drawing up the Placement Agreement. Young Person s Responsibility The young person is responsible for their own actions. Whilst you may disapprove of the company they keep, spending habits or lifestyle you must remember that they have a right to make these choices. Sensitive advice may be useful, but trying to impose restrictions are likely to cause problems. Parents/Family You should not allow family members of a young person into your home unless both yourself and the young person agree. We will not give family members any of your details. Illness If the young person falls ill whilst staying with you: 1. Call their GP 2. If they don t have a GP call your own and ask for the young person to be treated as a temporary resident 3. If this doesn t work out take them to the nearest Accident & Emergency or Walk-In Clinic 4. If the young person is seriously ill or injured inform the Host Coordinator as soon as possible Support for the Host YMCA Open Door is totally committed to the Hosts and their families. Without you there would be no YMCA Open Door and no adequate accommodation for these vulnerable young people. The Host Coordinator is there for you every step of the way and is just a phone call away. If you are unable to contact the Host Coordinator please contact the YMCA Housing Office which is available 24 hours a day. All numbers are at the back of this booklet. However, when calling out of office hours please do consider whether you can deal with the issue yourself or whether the matter can wait until the next working day. Once you have a placement up and running the Project Worker will be in touch with you at least once every fortnight and will meet with you regularly to support you. In addition to this YMCA Open Door will provide regular training opportunities to ensure you are fully equipped for your role and to develop your CV. We will also organise social occasions that enable you to meet other Host families in a fun and relaxed environment

8 YMCA Open Door Policies Child Protection Hosts should be aware that they are in a position of trust in respect of the young people, and should avoid any behaviour which may be seen as a breach of the trust, or may be misinterpreted by a vulnerable young person. If a young person makes allegations of abuse, or raises suspicions that abuse has or is taking place it is essential that such allegations are reported to the Project Worker who will follow the YMCA Safeguarding Children & Young People Policy. Compliments, Comments or Complaints Do let us know when things are going well, and any suggestions for improvement to YMCA Open Door are welcomed, and should be discussed with any member of staff. In the event that a young person or Host wishes to make a complaint about a Host or member of staff, this should be reported in the first instance either to the Supported Lodgings Manager or the YMCA Head of Service for Housing & Youth who will ensure that the YMCA Compliments, Comments and Complaints Procedure is followed. Confidentiality Information regarding young people using the scheme given to the Hosts or disclosed by a young person should be kept strictly confidential within the project. Under no circumstances should information concerning a young person be shared with other young people or those not directly connected with YMCA Open Door. The Host cannot promise confidentiality to a young person where information is divulged which indicates that the young person is at risk of abuse or harm, or involved in criminal behaviour. If a Host has a concern or worry raised by information given by a young person they are advised to contact the Host Coordinator or Project Worker to discuss the concern in confidence. Equality of Opportunity Whilst it is necessary to assess the suitability of Hosts carefully for the protection of both Hosts and young people, the aim of YMCA Open Door is to recruit and work with Hosts from a wide variety of backgrounds without discrimination on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, ethnicity, faith or disability. Similarly, the referral process for YMCA Open Door young people is based on an assessment of their suitability for accommodation in the home of a Host and, whilst subject to strict criteria, should be free from discrimination as above. However, consideration will be given to circumstances which may affect the suitability of the placement, for example, not placing a female young person in the home of a single male or matching Hosts and young people of similar cultural backgrounds where possible

9 Safety & Security The aim of YMCA Open Door is to show an accepting, non-judgmental attitude to young people. However, whilst showing the trust, we do not want to put them in a position where they may be tempted to abuse the hospitality being offered to them. You should bear in mind that the young person in your home may be in a desperate financial situation, or may have been subject to physical or sexual abuse. The experience of Supported Lodgings across the UK is that theft and disturbing incidences are rare, and that most young people are simply grateful for the help given them. The referral process is intended to help prevent problems and the following guidelines (and common sense) will help you provide a safe, secure home. YMCA Open Door workers have ID cards to show that they are part of the project and when you are first introduced to a young person they will be accompanied by a project worker. If you are unsure of the identity of a caller please contact the YMCA on If transporting the young person in your car ensure they wear seatbelts and that you have adequate business insurance (most insurers provide this free of charge) Ensure the young person s bedroom can be opened in an emergency To avoid embarrassment, remember to close your bedroom or bathroom door and wear a dressing gown when leaving your room Items of value such as a wallet or purse should be kept out of view as should credit receipts and bills etc Don t leave access to large amounts of alcohol or medication Violence, Aggression and Emergencies All YMCA Open Door Hosts should feel able to call for support from the police and/or YMCA staff in the event of any incident causing concern. If you or a member of your household feels they are in danger you should: Remain as calm as possible Remove yourself from danger Telephone the emergency services on 999 as appropriate Contact YMCA Open Door as soon as possible Nightstop Emergency Accommodation The YMCA also provides an emergency service for young people in immediate need of accommodation. We do not expect all Hosts to provide this service but are grateful to all Hosts who are willing to opt into this. A young person would be placed on a short-term basis between 1-4 days As you are a volunteer, you will receive a 20 contribution per night towards expenses You would provide dinner, bed and breakfast for the young person The young person cannot stay in the home during the day The young person is not provided with key A Risk Assessment is carried out, but there is no opportunity to meet the young person prior to arrival as they will usually move in the same day they are referred The young person will either be dropped off at the property or provided with bus fare to make their own way 16 17

10 Vision & Values of the YMCA The founding basis of the YMCA is the Paris Basis agreed in 1855 The [YMCA] Associations seek to unite those who, regarding Jesus Christ as their God and Saviour, according to the Holy Scriptures, desire to be his disciples in their faith and in their life, and to associate their efforts for the extension of his Kingdom amongst young [people]. YMCA England Vision The YMCA s vision is of an inclusive Christian Movement, transforming communities so that all young people truly belong, contribute and thrive. The YMCA Black Country Mission Statement The YMCA Black Country Values Developing Mind, Body and Spirit Trust, Compassion, Inspire & Hope The YMCA is a world-wide Christian organisation which seeks to share the good news of Jesus Christ and strive for the spiritual, intellectual and physical wellbeing of individuals and wholeness of communities. The YMCA works for social justice for all people, irrespective of religion, race, gender or cultural background. While we are always willing to give a reason for our faith and enable people to experience, explore and express the Christian faith based motivation of our work, at no time will this be done in a way which is intended to suggest that continued use of our services is in any way related to their response. At its centre are Christians who, regarding Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, desire to share their faith with others and make Him known, believed, trusted, loved, served and exemplified in all human relationships. It welcomes into its fellowship persons of other religious faiths and those of none

11 In association with CHADD Heantun Housing First Base Midland Landlord Accreditation Scheme Special thanks to Frank Neale who provided vital funding to help get the project started Funded by the Homelessness Transition Fund administered by Homeless Link in association with Department for Communities and Local Government 38 Carters Green, West Bromwich, West Midlands, B70 9LG Tel: Registered Charity No Company No