Emergency Accommodation (OWL)

What Does The Service Do? 

Our Way Leeds Emergency Accommodation offers a safe and secure service where single young people can access personalised support to help them move successfully into their own longer-term accommodation.

We do this by:

• Providing supported accommodation and life skills for homeless young people that will help them to live independently
• Making the accommodation comfortable, secure and private
• Advising on practical issues, e.g. benefits and budgeting, life and social skills.
• Giving support to move on and “set up a house and getting to know the area.”
• Signposting to other agencies for training, education and employment
• Linking into specialist agencies for counselling, advocacy, and other issues of concern

Who do you support?

We can support individuals who meet the following criteria:

• Homeless 16 – 25-year-olds
• Support needs

How Many People Do You Support and For How Long?

Our service comprises nine emergency bedsits and three longer-term, self-contained units.

The scheme also has shared kitchens, bathrooms, lounge, laundry facilities and a large garden with fruit and vegetable patch. A range of groups and activities takes place led by staff members and external organisations.

Our Way Leeds East Hub (Archway) is within 15 mins walk from the scheme. Here, young people can access further support and group activities.

The scheme has CCTV, free wi-fi access plus a staff and visitor car park.

What can we support you with?

We aim to help our young people develop their independence by giving them the tools to feel empowered to make positive choices and feel safe and secure, knowing we will discuss their support needs confidentially and professionally. 

We offer a wide range of practical support with:

• accessing and applying for benefits
• meal planning
• cooking
• budgeting
• developing life skills
• accessing education and training
• forming an individual safety plan
• support around health needs when registering at a GP or dentist.

A key worker will work with each and every young person to develop a comprehensive support plan based on personal circumstances.

How Can I Make a Referral?

We accept referrals from:

• Single young people aged 16-25 who are homeless with a variety of support needs.

Referrals are accepted primarily from Leeds Housing Options. Initial contact is by a telephone call to the service, and we carry out a comprehensive assessment immediately based on support need and risk. We may have to contact other agencies for further information to help us complete a risk assessment and reach a decision. We usually finalise the process within 1 hour.

If we judge a referral as appropriate and a vacancy exists, we will contact the referrer via phone and arrange for the young person to access the accommodation. If a referral is deemed unsuitable and therefore declined, we will inform the referrer over the phone and offer a decision in writing.

We are always available via phone if anyone wishes to obtain more information about the service before making a referral to see if it would be a suitable placement or make initial enquiries.

Please note: we do not hold waiting lists for our emergency accommodation.

Anything else?

• The service is staffed 24 hours, and the team comprises a Scheme Manager, Senior Housing Support Worker, Housing Support Support Workers and Housekeeper.
• Waking night cover is provided between 8 pm - 8 am.
• The scheme is not fully adapted but can accommodate clients who have minor mobility issues on the ground floor, where there is easy access to the office, communal lounge and walk-in shower.
• We have our own car park at the rear of the building where there are no steps to negotiate to access the building.

Contact Us:
T:  0113 293 0254
E:  seacole@turninglivesaround.co.uk