Being an Adult

People with learning disabilities often have poorer physical and mental health than other people. This doesn’t need to be the case.

The Annual Health Check scheme is for adults and young people aged 14 or above with learning disabilities who need more health support and who may otherwise have health conditions that go undetected.

It is important that everyone over the age of 14 who is on their doctor’s learning disability register has an annual health check.

An annual health check can help you stay well by talking to a doctor or nurse about your health and finding any problems early, so they can be sorted out.

You do not have to be ill to have a health check – in fact, most people have their annual health check when they are feeling well.

If you are worried about seeing a doctor, or there is anything they can do to make your appointment better, let the doctor or nurse know.

They can make changes to help you. These are called reasonable adjustments.

The service is provided to adults who suffer from a wide range of communication disorders, as follows:

• Speech and language disorders secondary to stroke, head injury, or progressive neurological disease, and carcinoma of head and neck.
• Voice disorders including laryngectomy.
• Disorders of fluency.
• Communication disorder secondary to severe learning disabilities.
• Disorders of chewing and swallowing resulting from stroke, head injury, progressive neurological disease and carcinoma of the head and neck and learning difficulties.

Adult’s Speech and Language Therapy – Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Wellbeing | Young Devon

Self Help Techniques and Advice for Managing Anxiety YOUNG DEVON

Makaton is a unique language programme that uses symbols, signs and speech to enable people to communicate. It supports the development of essential communication skills such as attention and listening, comprehension, memory, recall and organisation of language and expression. Find out more about Makaton here.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/joinin/something-special-what-is-makaton

CSW Group provides free information, advice, guidance and support to people of all ages to help them to enter work and learning.

The service for 13-19 year olds also provides support up to the age of 25 for young people who have learning difficulties or disabilities.

Also offer free information in learning and work to anyone aged 19 and over, helping improve career prospects by learning new skills, retraining or gaining new qualifications.

They also support vulnerable groups during this time of transition.

CSW Advice and Guidance Service

CSW Group offer a free transition advice and guidance to all Y11 students who have Education, Health and Care plans (EHCP) or are electively home educated (EHE)

The Transitions service aims to:

• Encourage achievement and raise aspirations
• Remove barriers to education
• Ensure understanding of future options and provide practical support in applying to and accessing these options
• Support transitions for Young People in line with Peninsula Local Authorities transition protocols
• Ensure a smooth, successful and sustained transition to post-16 learning whether remaining in a sixth form or moving on

Courses in English and Maths, up to GCSE level are usually free. Other further education courses are free until the age of 19, up to level 3. However, if your child has an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP), their course may be fully funded until they are 25 years old, if the course meets the targets outlined in their plan and the course is below level 4.

16-19 Bursary Fund is available to students in receipt of disability benefits to help with the associated costs of education, such as lunch, books and travel.

Further education courses and funding outlines a range of funding accessible to young people studying a further education course, without an EHCP.

Discretionary funds can sometimes be offered to students whose education will be impacted by financial deprivation, SEND (with no EHCP) or some kind of hardship. Colleges will need to be contacted directly as each will have their own eligibility criteria and level of grant available.

Many young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) progress to higher education, however it is not possible to have an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP) at University. Those who require additional support and may incur extra costs as a result of their disability may be eligible for a Disabled Student Allowance (DSA). The financial support offered is based on individual need not household income and does not have to be repaid.

If a young person with an EHC plan has a confirmed higher education place, with their permission, the Local Authority will pass a copy of the EHC plan to the relevant institution and to the assessor for Disabled Students Allowance.

For more information about the Disabled Students Allowance and how to apply visit www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowances-dsas/overview.

UCAS has information and advice for students with disabilities, including access arrangements and financial options.

Note: Higher Education is funded through the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice does not apply to students in Higher Education.

Local supported internships for young people aged between 17 and 20 have taken place in various emploment settings and in various job roles – these have included working as a Cleaner, Sales Assistant, Hospital Porter, Ward Clerk, Ward Buddy, Tyre Mechanic, Waiter, Chef.

Young people told us:

• School helped me create a CV and have talked a lot about getting a paid job
• I’m trying all the time to be as independent as I can be
• My school helped me to get a paid job at a café and I’m also learning to drive, I feel very independent

3 out of 9 young people already have part-time paid jobs and feel this has helped them become more independent.

Young people involved in supported internships told us:

• The help I’m getting to find a paid job in the future
• I like the team I work with and the role, it makes me want a job
• We have a laugh, I’m now used to using the machines and talking to customers
• I like to organise the products and clean the shelves; I make everything look neater
• It has helped my social skills, after COVID I found it difficult to get out
• I make cakes, prepare food, cook and learn about all the different spices
• All the opportunities available to me
• The people are the best thing, I like talking to the customers, I even have a regular who always comes to me
• I wanted a job that makes a difference, which the NHS does, regardless of what I do there
• The team are very supportive, they understand the different needs of everyone. I even get help with interviews
• I’m enjoying being able to do the extra curricular work of L1 maths in between the programme
• The support getting to and from the placement
• I am nervous to move out of my home but I want to live and work in Exeter. The supported internship is giving me the work experience I need to get a paid job
• The programme is getting me ready, I’m no longer worried about life

Young people involved when asked what could be better, told us:

• Nothing, it’s all good
• I’d like to be able to do more of the mechanical work and not just tyres
• I want to go on the till but you need to be on their system, in a paid job, for that
• My options have been limited because of my physical disability. I need an admin job but it’s hard to find a setting with the right facilities for me
• The environment isn’t busy enough for me, I preferred it in my last placement, I like the stress
• I would like a paid job there now

Young people involved when why a bussiness should employ a young person who has Special Educational Needs and or Disabilities (SEND), told us:

• We find it harder to get a job, giving us more opportunities would be good. I’m good at organising!
• I work really hard and put my mind to it, I keep working at it and I think straight, not much affects me.
• Depends on their needs. I bring pros and cons to a workplace, I talk a lot which is good for customer interaction but could be bad for business if you’re not getting anything done, I’m working on that.
• I bring humour 🙂
• A child with SEND can learn a lot from the workplace so give them the opportunity.
• People shouldn’t be treated differently, we should all have the same opportunities.
• Giving the same opportunities to all even if some young people have issues/needs.
• Give them a chance, we need to give back to society too.

Also see Eye care | SeeAbility

Most of the care experienced nursing team is trained in the C-Card scheme, and can support you to access free condoms and services that are related to your sexual and reproductive health.

Whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. We’re here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Please visit the “Are you OK?” website to learn more about abuse and violence within relationships

Learning for Life covers late primary, secondary, and beyond school, focusing on the Relationships and Sexual Education curriculum. The resources are created in line with what the Down’s Syndrome community needs; teaching on personal health, emotions, relationships, and appropriate behaviour.

Current resources explore Growing Up and Keeping Safe, Emotions, Puberty and Caring Friendships. These resources are created with specialist teachers and speech and language therapists, for young people with Down’s Syndrome and other SEN. To break down barriers in SEN education, all Learning for Life recourses are completely FREE and exclusively online.

Dads House aims to support dads to ensure that children remain the priority after divorce, separation or bereavement.
Telephone: 07765 183504
Website: https://www.dadshouse.org.uk/
Facebook: @dadshouseuk
Email: info@dadshouse.org.uk

Illegal money lenders or loan sharks as they are more commonly known are criminals and they will lend money to almost anyone at extortionately high interest rates (100% a week is the norm) and will use a variety of tactics such as intimidation, harassment, threats and violence to ensure that the borrower continues to pay with no end date to the loan.

In the period 2016 – 2021, Devon was the nations “hotspot” for loan shark activity and Torbay in particular had numerous arrests made and several prosecutions.

Anyone who owes a loan shark money needs specialist help and support which only the Stop Loan Shark Team can provide and they can be contacted (anonymously if needs be) either by calling their 24/7/365 Helpline on 0300 555 2222 or via their Live Chat facility on their website www.stoploansharks.co.uk
And most importantly, anyone who has taken a loan from a loan shark has NOT committed any offence at all.

Gingerbread supports single parents to live secure, happy and fulfilling lives. The organisation:
• provides information to help single parents support themselves and their family
• runs programmes to equip single parents with the skills and opportunities to gain employment
• campaigns and influences policy to reduce stigma against single parents and to make services more accessible to all families, whatever their shape or size.
Their website contains lots of information regarding finance and co-parenting, and they also have a helpline.
Telephone: 0808 802 0925 (helpline)
Website: https://www.gingerbread.org.uk/
Facebook: @gingerbread
Email: groups@gingerbread.org.uk

This organisation offers affordable camping holidays for single parents and their children.
Website: https://singlewithkids.co.uk/single-parents/camping-uk/
Email: events@singlewithkids.co.uk

Sexting is a term often used to describe sharing this type of content but young people may refer to it as sending a ‘selfie or a ‘pic’. What you need to know from Think U Know

Find out about disabled parking in Torbay including how to get a Blue Badge or request a disabled parking bay.

Independent Travel Training is a free scheme which has been set up by Children’s Services at Torbay Council. Our Independent Travel Training programme provides targeted support for Children and Young People with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Our Trainer works with students from mainstream and special schools, education other than at school, and colleges of further education.

The scheme aims to support Children and Young People with SEND throughout Torbay, as they learn how to develop the skills required for safe and successful, independent travel between home and school. We use a Total Communication approach to support successful interaction, providing a range of communication aids throughout training, suited to the needs of the Trainee.

The Independent Travel Training programme will include road safety awareness, accurately telling the time, handling money, how to use a bus/train pass, appropriate social behaviour, stranger danger, location identification, strategies for solving problems and overcoming barriers, and any other issues that might arise.

If your Child or Young Person currently travels to school or college on assisted transport and would like to travel on their own, then our Independent Travel Trainer could help.

Benefits of our Independent Travel Training programme include:

• Children and Young People develop skills to travel independently and without fear, between home and school or college.
• Learning core travel skills on a familiar route is an excellent foundation from which to support independence for their future, such as travelling to work, or social and leisure activities.
• Less dependency on friends and family and greater autonomy.
• Providing preparatory one-to-one or group training in a school or college setting.
• Children and Young People are prepared for safer and more confident engagement with the community by becoming more independent.
• Parents and carers are reassured that their child is being supported to become more independent.

We provide a person-centred approach, before any training commences our Independent Travel Trainer will liaise closely with the Trainee and their support circle including Parents/Carers, Tutors and Social Workers to gain an understanding of how to tailor the programme to best suit the needs of the Trainee.

If you would like your child to take part in this scheme, or for more information, please contact ITT@Torbay.gov.uk

An IMCA is an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate appointed by the local authority and/or NHS body to protect other people’s interests when they lack the capacity to make certain important decisions and, at the time such decisions need to be made, have no one else (other than paid staff) to support them or be consulted.

The Devon Advocacy Consortium provides an independent, professional advocacy service for people over the age of 16 in Devon. The service is free, flexible and confidential.

We take action to help people say what they want, secure their rights, represent their interests and to get the services they need. Advocates can visit you at home or a place of your choice and if an advocate can’t help they can find someone who will.

The Devon Advocacy service can help you if:

• You have a health and / or social care related issue or complaint
• An informed choice has to be made
• A person lacks independent support
• The person is lacking in confidence or is having trouble communicating

Where the above applies, an IMCA must be appointed when the decision involves:

• serious medical treatment
• the local authority proposing to arrange accommodation for someone for longer than 8 weeks
• the NHS body proposing to arrange accommodation for someone for longer than 28 days.

An IMCA may also be involved:

• where there is a care review (where accommodation is being reviewed)
• in Safeguarding of Adult cases (the criterion of friends and family does not apply in Safeguarding cases).
• to support people through the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguard (DLS) process.
• detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act, apart from shorter sections (4, 5 135 or 136) designed to allow a proper Mental Health Act assessment to take place
• subject to a Guardianship order
• subject to a Community Treatment Order
• discussing with their doctor the possibility of Psychosurgery, or ECT (if under 18 years).

If you feel that someone meets the criteria for an IMCA please call or email to request a referral form

Contact:

Telephone : 01392 822377

Email: devonadvocacy@livingoptions.org

Web address: https://devonadvocacy.org.uk/

Unit 3-4 Cranmere Court

Lustleigh Close,

Matford Business Park

Exeter

EX2 8PW

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 is a vitally important piece of legislation that applies within England and Wales and makes a real difference to the lives of people who may lack mental capacity.  It empowers people to make decisions for themselves wherever possible, and protects people who lack capacity, by providing a flexible framework that places them at the very heart of the decision making process. It places a strong emphasis on supporting and enabling the individual to make his/her own decisions. If they are unable to do this it emphasises that they should be involved in the decision making process as far as possible.

The Mental Capacity Act 2005, covering England and Wales for people aged 16 years or over, provides a statutory framework for people who lack capacity to make decisions for themselves or have capacity and want to make preparations for a time when they may lack capacity in the future. The Act covers a wide range of decisions for example, supporting a person lacking capacity with their activities of daily living, supporting a person lacking capacity to manage their property and finances, supporting a person lacking capacity with serious medical treatment decisions.

You can find out more about the Mental Capacity Act 2005 via the following links:

• Torbay and South Dev on NHS Foundation Trust www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk/ services/mental-capacity-act/
• Social Care Institute of Excellence national
• Mental Capacity Act – Social care and support guide – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
• The Mental Capacity Act – Torbay Council

• MCA directory: Mental Capacity Act (MCA) Directory – SCIE – SCIE
• Or alternatively you can speak to the Social Worker allocated to support you.

This series of videos look at each of the Mental Capacity Act Principles in turn.

If you’re aged 18 or older and have the mental ability to make financial, property and medical decisions for yourself, you can arrange for someone else to make these decisions for you in the future. This legal authority is called “Lasting Power of Attorney” (LPA).

You can choose what types of decisions you are happy for other nominated people to make for you.

Lasting power of attorney (LPA) includes:

• health and welfare LPA
• property and financial affairs LPA

Find out more about Lasting Powers of Attorney:

• Giving someone power of attorney – Social care and support guide – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
• Make, register or end a lasting power of attorney: Make a lasting power of attorney – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• Office of the Public Guardian guidance on Make and register your lasting power of attorney
  

Deprivation of Liberty mean taking away a person’s freedom to do things that they want to do and to live where they want to live.

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) were introduced by the Mental Capacity Act 2005, to protect people who lack mental capacity. However, as a result of the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019, DoLs is being replaced by new Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS), they were due to come into effect on 1 April 2022, but have been delayed.

Both DoLS and LPS are designed to protect the interests of vulnerable people who may lack mental capacity and to:

• ensure that care needed is given in the least restrictive way
• prevent arbitrary decisions which deprive liberty
• provide safeguards
• provide rights of challenge against unlawful detention
• avoid unnecessary bureaucracy

The criteria for both DoLS and LPS is very similar and include the following requirements:

• a mental disorder or disability – such as dementia or a learning disability
• lack of capacity to give informed consent to the arrangements
• the ‘acid test’ of what constitutes deprivation (P v Cheshire West 2014),

•  subject to continuous supervision and control

and

• not free to leave – with the focus being not on whether a person seems to be wanting to leave, but on how those who support them would react if they did want to leave (Law Society advise).
• prevention of harm to the individual

DoLS currently applies to anyone who:

• is aged 18 and over
• is accommodated in a care home or hospital registered with the Care Quality Commission

However, LPS will increase this protection to anyone who:

• is aged 16 or over
• is accommodated in any setting (in addition to care homes and hospitals this will include all other forms of accommodation e.g. the person’s own home and family home: supported living etc.) including multiple settings during planned transfers including transport

Other differences between DoLS and LPS:

• The current Supervisory Body (Local Authority) will be replaced by the Responsible Body (commissioning body or funder – Local Authority, CCG or NHS trust)
• The current Best Interests Assessor (BIA) role will be replaced by an Approved Mental Capacity Practitioner (AMCP) and there will no longer be a Mental Health Assessor (MHA) role
• Pre-authorisation reviews will be able to be carried out by anyone from the Responsible Body who is not involved in day-to-day care of the individual.
• Authorisation renewals will be able to last for up to 3 years on the third renewal and  may be paper based if there are no concerns.

Please remember that:

• DoLS currently applies
• The LPS is not currently in force

The Devon Advocacy Service provides an independent advocacy service commissioned by Torbay for anyone who would experience substantial difficulty in participating in their assessment, preparation of their care and support plan and review (eg. due to difficulties with communication, including Deaf people with British Sign Language) and where there is no one available to support and represent their wishes.

NB. This service is available via referral only.

The Devon Advocacy Consortium also provides the following advocacy services for people in the Torbay area, available via referral only:

1. Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)
2. Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA)

The course covers the following nine topics to help you with independent living:

• Housing
• Finances
• Education, Employment and Training
• Health and Wellbeing
• Cooking and Home Skills
• Community Involvement
• Online Safety
• Healthy Relationships
• Exploitation

Start the course

Turning Heads is a community interest company that is helping to build a community that values and empowers togetherness.

We work with people and organisations across Torbay. This includes families, children, people with learning disabilities, those who are furthest from employment and education and those who might be isolated or vulnerable.

Turning Heads runs day activities from The Windmill Centre in Hele (Torquay), and both a Community Kitchen and Social Supermarket from Victoria Park Methodist Church in Plainmoor (Torquay).

Our curriculum will be based around providing a workbased employment model over a period of 12 weeks running in parallel with our programme that we offer through the DWP. It will begin with a period of induction which will typically be for up to 4 weeks and will involve the young person trying a variety of activities and opportunities before we decide which particular areas and skills to focus on for the period of time that they are with us.

Our programme will focus on developing confidence, work related skills and will aim to provide the young person with the starting tools to moving back into either education or training or employment. We will be looking at using a variety of NCFE adult qualification units that we can tailor to the individual.

Alternative provision is only arranged as part of an educational package via school’s or the Local Authority.

Day services are all chargeable and clients pay through adult social care funding, direct payments or personal funds.

Contact:

Phone: 07817 777739 or 07817 777739

Email: admin@turningheads.org.uk or alanrtilley@mail.com

Turning Heads, The Windmill Centre, Pendennis Road, Torquay, TQ2 7QR

We want you to live as independently as possible. You must decide what is right for you and consider where and who you want to live with.

Young people with learning disabilities should be able to choose:

• where to live
• who to live with

Whether you want to continue to live with your family, or live with others independently or with support, there is much to consider. After finding somewhere to live, you and your family will need to consider the time scales for any move, financial issues and the level of support you need to live as independently as possible.

Living independently means having the right support to do things when and how you want. As you get older, you are able to make decisions about your life and how you live it.  This includes deciding where you want to live.

If you are planning on moving into your own home it is important that you have the following:

• Your own bank account
• Benefits in place
• Photo identification e.g. passport or driving licence etc.

The Government housing information webpages offers advice on all areas of moving house like benefits advice, mortgage advice, help with renting a private property and more.

You may decide that you would like to continue living with your family.
To continue living at home you may need some changes to be made to the home, or you may need some extra support.

To make changes to your home you can:

•    apply for adaptions or equipment for your home
•    apply to get a Disabled Facilities Grant
•    find out more information on Shelter’s guide to help with adaptions to your home

To get support for daily living like:

• washing and dressing
• shopping
• preparing and making meals
• getting around
• communicating with others

you may need a support worker. You could be able to pay for the support you need from the benefits you recieve or you may be entitled to support via Adult Social Care and a personal Budget. Even if you qualify for support from Adult Social Care it is likely that you will have to pay a contribution towards the support provided.

About to move out for the first time? Whether you’re moving into student accommodation or your own place, living away from home can be an eye opening and daunting experience. Home Truths is here to teach you EVERYTHING you need to know about living on your own.

This means renting from someone who owns a property. Some rents will be above the levels covered by housing benefit, so it is important to choose a property you can afford.  Make sure you consider carefully how much you can pay when you are looking at properties. You should work out how much rent you can afford.

Private landlords advertise their properties in these places:

• a letting agency or an estate agent;
• an advert in the local newspaper;
• on a sign outside the property;
• on the internet; or
• on a shop noticeboard.

There are different ways in which you can rent:

• Directly from the landlord- if deciding to rent directly through a landlord make sure they belong to an accreditation scheme. Your local authority can advise you of this. If the landlord is subletting (renting you a property that they are renting from the home owner) make sure that the owner has consented to the subletting
• Through a letting agent- if renting through a letting agent, you will need to find out the fees, costs and when you need to pay them by.

There are a number of options which may suit you and your household:

• renting a room in a shared house – you would have your own bedroom but would have to share other facilities such as the kitchen, bathroom and living room.
• lodging – when you are renting in another person’s house, usually the landlord.
• bedsits – one larger room used for sleeping, living, eating and cooking. Often there are other bedsits in one large property making it cheaper than other options. You may be sharing some facilities, such as a bathroom and toilet.
• living on your own in a studio – a flat with the bedroom, lounge and kitchen often in one room with a separate, private bathroom and toilet. The flat will be self-contained and it is likely that you will have to pay rent and bills separately so you should factor this into your budget.
• sharing a house with family members – renting a whole house and sharing it with members of your family or relatives. To keep costs down, you might consider sharing bedrooms with family members. Your whole family will be responsible for paying all the bills separately.

If you are relying on Housing Benefit to help with your rent, you will need to know how many bedrooms you are entitled to and your Local Housing Allowance rate. Some landlords will not accept people on Housing benefit, so it is always best to check.

If you live on your own or with a friend in rented accomodation you will also need to budget for Coucil Tax. Coucil Tax may be reduced if you qualify for Council Tax benefi.

You will also need to budget for paying bills for things like water, electric, gass etc. unless any of them are included in your rent.

Before you move in you must be aware of:

• Holding deposit (Sometimes called a retainer): This is an amount of money an Estate agent can ask to ‘reserve’ a property and take it off the rental market (usually in a city where property goes quickly).  The amount varies but is usually around one week’s rent.  This amount is normally taken off your deposit, which will be returned, once you leave the property or end the tenancy.  You MAY lose this money if you change your mind and never move in.
• Contract/administration fee: This is a fee the estate agent will charge to create a contract between you and a landlord.  This price also includes the work needed in administration phone calls/photocopying, etc.
• Reference Checks: This pays for the cost of running checks on you. This is usually with your current employer and/or previous landlord.
• Credit Checks: This is the cost for running checks on your credit history.  A check is done via a credit reference agency, for example, Experian or Equifax.
• Deposit: When you are renting a property, you have to leave a deposit with the landlord/estate agent, which can only be used, if you damage the property or have unpaid rent.  This deposit is taken by the estate agent/landlord before you move in and kept in a separate account.  This money is returned to you after you leave your tenancy.

After you have moved in you may need to consider:

• Tenancy Renewal:  You will have selected a period of time you wish to live at the property.   Once this time has passed, you will have to renew your contract.  Please be aware this could also be the time your landlord decides to put your rent up;
• Changes to contract:  If you need to change your contract because a housemate has moved out or if you wish to change the contract period length;
• Unpaid rent: If you have set up a standing order or direct debit and there is not enough money in your account when rent is due, your estate agent/landlord can charge you (your bank can too!);
• Early termination of contract:  If you wish to cancel your contract before the agreed time period, then you can be charged the full amount of rent owed for the months remaining in your contract, plus a termination fee.

You can find more information about finding a private rented home from Shelter and from How to rent – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

You can apply to join the waiting lists for a housing association property by registering with Devon Home Choice.

The number of properties available is limited and there is a long waiting list so most people will not be successful in getting a social housing property.

If you are successful it can typically take 18 – 24 months, so if you need to move quickly then you should not rely on a Devon home Choice application to find a home.

Full details on how Devon Home Choice works and how to apply can be found on our join the housing waiting list page.

Having your own home can help you feel secure and independent.

Home ownership

This is when you own the home you live in, either yourself or with a mortgage. A mortgage is when you borrow money to buy a house and pay the money back over many years. You can also use your savings. You could inherit a home which could be yours alone or it could be left to you and your family.

Shared ownership

This is when a Housing Association owns part of your home and you own the rest. You have to pay rent to the Housing Association for the part you do not own and pay the mortgage for the part you do own.

HOLD

There is a scheme in operation called HOLD that stands for Home Ownership for people with Long-term Disabilities.

This is a way that someone with a disability can own their own home. It is run by some Housing Associations, which are Registered Social Landlords.

The disabled person finds a property they would like to buy. The Housing Association buys the property, so the disabled person only deals with them.

The Housing Association sells part of the property to the disabled person. They might be able to buy more of it in the future.

They rent the other part from the Housing Association, who looks after things like repairs and making sure the property is in good condition.

If you have a disability, the HOLD scheme can help you buy on a shared ownership basis.

You can search on the house shop for properties that are accessible or have disabled access 

Supported living can mean and be different things to different people.

An individual flat

For some, supported living can be living on their own with minimal support, living in an individual flat as independently as possible within the community with few hours of support a week. You will have your own tenancy and receive benefits which you will need to use toward daily living, bills and rent and paying towards the cost of any support needs you have.

Shared accomodation

For others, supported living can mean living with several other people with similar needs and sharing some support. It can mean having access to support 24 hours a day. You will have your own tenancy and receive benefits which you will need to use toward daily living, your share of bills and rent and paying towards the cost of any support needs you have. You may also have shared responsibilities with housemates towards daily chores like cooking and cleaning.

In a ‘shared lives scheme’ someone is matched with a host family and lives as part of that family. They share family life and live with, or near to, the host family. The host family gives support and care.

This can be for:

• long-term support
• a short break
• daytime support or
• family support for someone who lives nearby, but not with the host family.

If you are eligable for the shared lives scheme your social worker will have to make a referal before you can be matched with appropriate support. Find out more about shared lives visit Carers who have space in their home to care | Shared Lives South West (sharedlivessw.org.uk)

For some people, residential care is more appropriate. This tends to be for young people with more complex needs, because of their physical need, health need or support with their challenging behaviour.  Residential care means having a room in a building shared with a number of other people. Twenty four hour care will be provided on site as will meals.

Specialist residential care homes may be considered after all other options for remaining at home have been explored and tried. Access to specialist residential care is based on an assessment of your needs by your Social Worker. Residential care means having a room in a building shared with a number of other people. Twenty four hour care will be provided on site as will meals. You will pay most of your benefits towards the cost of this care and be left with a small allowance.

Residential homes are owned and managed by public, private sector or charitable bodies. Some specialise in particular forms of provision, for example for people on the autistic spectrum or those with sensory impairment in conjunction with a learning disability.

NHS England has more information on care homes on their website.

It’s gotten more expensive for providers to buy energy, which has led to it costing more for us to power our homes. This is why, at GoCompare, we have developed an interactive energy cost calculator tool to find out how much something costs to run.

Use the interactive calculator to pick the appliances you want to compare and select how long they’ll be in use for: https://www.gocompare.com/gas-and-electricity/guide/energy-calculator/

Illegal money lenders or loan sharks as they are more commonly known are criminals and they will lend money to almost anyone at extortionately high interest rates (100% a week is the norm) and will use a variety of tactics such as intimidation, harassment, threats and violence to ensure that the borrower continues to pay with no end date to the loan.

In the period 2016 – 2021, Devon was the nations “hotspot” for loan shark activity and Torbay in particular had numerous arrests made and several prosecutions.

Anyone who owes a loan shark money needs specialist help and support which only the Stop Loan Shark Team can provide and they can be contacted (anonymously if needs be) either by calling their 24/7/365 Helpline on 0300 555 2222 or via their Live Chat facility on their website www.stoploansharks.co.uk
And most importantly, anyone who has taken a loan from a loan shark has NOT committed any offence at all.

Explore what financial support you can get through welfare benefits and grants based on your circumstances.

Turn2us is a national charity providing practical help to people who are struggling financially. 

Tackling Financial Insecurity Together | Turn2us

Short reletively simple e-learning cources on:

• Borrowing & debt
• Household bills
• Your income
• Being on benefits
• Budgeting
• Being informed
• Banking