Press Release
10.12.2020
HSE Mid-west and Focus Ireland launch the evaluation of a unique North Tipperary Intensive Tenancy Sustainment Service
A unique report which provides an evaluation of the North Tipperary Intensive Tenancy Support Service (TSS) and is jointly funded by the HSE Mid-West and Focus Ireland will be launched today. This service which helps to prevent homelessness was shortlisted at the recent Health Service Excellence Awards, winning the category of Innovation in Service Delivery.
The TSS offers crucial tenancy support to adults with mental health difficulties who may be homeless or at risk of losing their home. Two dedicated members of staff, who are employed by Focus Ireland, source quality accommodation and work in partnership with the relevant community services. It’s the first model like this in the country as staff are completely integrated into Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT).
A recent evaluation of the service has indicated that since the introduction of the TSS role to the CMHT, the housing needs of service users have been addressed successfully. The project workers are supporting service users to settle into new accommodation and sustain their tenancies. The support is providing unique housing solutions for service users and is preventing homelessness during times of family crises and social support breakdown.
Niamh Wallace, Head of Service HSE Mid West Community Healthcare Mental Health Services said: “The Mental Health Services in the Mid West have a long standing excellent working relationship with our partners in Focus Ireland. This collaboration in North Tipperary has helped us to deliver truly person centred and recovery focused mental health services in the region. A safe space to call home is a fundamental component of mental health recovery and having this type of support embedded into our community mental health services gives people the opportunity to focus on their mental health and well-being. This is a great partnership and we look forward to working together in the future.”
By assessing all aspects of their lives, this crucial service is supporting service users to build life-skills and access community-based supports which enables them to live independently and aids their recovery within the community, under the care of the CMHT.
Focus Ireland Southwest Services Manager Gerard Spillane said: “Everyone at Focus Ireland is proud to be part of this innovative collaboration. The project workers are going above and beyond in supporting service users to settle into new accommodation and sustain their tenancies. The support is providing unique housing solutions and is preventing homelessness during times of family crises and support breakdowns. In addition, Service users have become more empowered, confident and connected with their communities since availing of the service.”
The relationships that the TSS staff have built with agencies external to the CMHT have been invaluable in terms of access to housing and other supports. The report was a key element of the Mid West Service Improvement Programme (2018–2020).
Focus Ireland and the HSE Mental Health Services Mid West would also like to acknowledge the support of Tipperary Co Council. From January 2021 Tipperary Co Council will be co funding the service in partnership with Mental Health Services Mid West and Focus Ireland.
The judges at this year’s Health Service Excellence Awards, praised the fact that service users are supported in a completely integrated service and it is a comprehensive person-centred, multi-agency service.
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