Second Step - Floating Support BANES

Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) Floating Support is a free short to medium-term service for people with mental health problems who are either finding it difficult to manage their tenancy and could be at risk of losing their home or are moving into a new tenancy and need support to do this.

Together we will agree how often you will need support and will develop a recovery plan with you based on your needs, interests and aspirations. We offer both practical and emotional support, including help to:

  • sort out your financial situations
  • filling in forms
  • talking to utility companies
  • help dealing with other agencies
  • meeting new people in the community
  • accessing higher level mental health or more specialist support e.g. drug and alcohol, debt management, employment support etc.
  • benefit claims/appeals
  • budgeting, maintaining home, attending appointment

We support clients for an initial period of up to 6 months but depending on need this can extended for up to 2 years.

Referral Criteria

If you want to be considered for the Floating Support Service, you need to:

  • have current mental health needs
  • requiring some level of support to live independently
  • be aged over 18
  • would like support to manage your tenancy
  • live anywhere within Bath and North East Somerset. We have recently taken over Virgin Care’s rural service and so are keen to support individuals who are living in the more rural/isolated areas of B&NES.

You may be part of a family or have a partner, but we will only give support to people on an individual basis - not to the whole family or couples.

You will need to make a referral to the Bath and North East Somerset Housing and Support Gateway. Please get in touch once a referral is made so we can confirm we have received it and advise on next steps.