Finding suitable housing when discharged from hospital can make a huge difference to your quality of life, whether you need support yourself or are caring for someone else.
If you are likely to be homeless when discharged form hospital, you should tell the hospital nursing staff as soon as possible. They have a duty to refer you to us for help and may also arrange for the hospital discharge team to visit you.
Hospital discharge team
The discharge team may refer you to us. We will assess your situation and you may be offered temporary accommodation in certain circumstances.
If you are within 56 days of discharge and have no home to return to, we will arrange an assessment. We work with you and any agency supporting you to find accommodation to go to on discharge.
If this is not possible, we will assess if we owe you a duty to provide temporary accommodation. The fact that you have been in hospital does not automatically mean that you are classed as a priority need or vulnerable – this will depend on your individual circumstances.
Planned discharge from mental health wards
There is a procedure in place for the secure and confidential sharing of information between agencies to help meet the needs of patients being discharged from mental health wards.
It aims to prevent homelessness or discharge into unsuitable accommodation by:
- sharing information with us, housing associations, health, social care and other relevant organisations
- promoting joint working to provide advice and support to patients at the earliest possible opportunity
- linking patients with a range of housing services and other services in order to prevent delayed discharges and prevent unnecessary readmissions
- reducing any anxiety for the patient on leaving the ward
You can also view the housing checklist for hospital discharge here (pdf / 233 KB).
If you are about to leave hospital but are worried if you will cope
If you have a home already but it needs to be adapted, the hospital will refer you to our social services team.
Arrangements will be made for an occupational therapist to undertake a needs assessment. They will decide if any adaptions could be made to your home so you can return to it. However, if your home is deemed unsuitable, the assessment team will work with the housing us to find a solution for you.
If you rent your home, there is a duty for landlords to make reasonable adjustments for tenants with disabilities. Your landlord does not have to make changes which affect the structure, or which would substantially and permanently alter the building.
If you find it very difficult to look after yourself, then you may be entitled to get help in your home.
We have a duty to assess anyone who appears to have care and support needs under the Care Act 2014. We will:
- assess your needs and give you advice - this assessment should determine what type of accommodation is suitable for you or what adaptations might be necessary to allow you to return to your own home
- provide information about services and support options available to you in your area
- give you a carer's assessment if you are an unpaid / family carer - the assessment is important because it will help you work out what your difficulties are and consider what support options, including your housing arrangement, you might have
Living Well service
Our Living Well service aims to improve the health, wellbeing and independence of adults. They can support adults who are currently not eligible for on-going social care support and who:
- are lonely and / or socially isolated
- have had a recent loss of a support network, including bereavement
- have had a loss of confidence due to a recent change or event
- require face to face information, advice and guidance
They help you to access your local community and support you to find a solution to your health and wellbeing goals.
For more information, contact us.
Short term support after discharge
Help is available for up to six weeks after discharge. The service aims to help people be as independent as possible by offering a rehabilitation service that can help you rebuild your skills and confidence in doing everyday activities. If you think you may need help when you leave hospital, you can ask to see someone from social care services. They will talk to you about how you will manage at home and what help might be available. They will also see what support needs to be in place before you return home.
Housing options
You may be finding it difficult to manage in your own home or would prefer to move somewhere else. Below are some housing options you may be interested in.