Hinchliffe Close
Housing for older people with some special design features and good facilities
Who is it for? | People over the age of 60 years wanting to rent. .. |
Property details | Hinchliffe close has 58 self-contained flats in 6 blocks, 2 of which are over the communal lounge. 54 flats have one bedroom, two flats have two bedrooms and two flats have three. . All 54 one-bedroom flats are large enough for couples. The flats are arranged in two storey blocks with each flat having its own entrance. The two three bedroom flats are over the communal lounge and share one staircase leading to each of their front doors. Most of the flats have a gas supply and communal gas boilers in each block provide gas central heating and hot water. There is cable TV on site and a concessionary TV licence. Flats are a reasonable size and each flat has cupboards for storage. Hinchliffe Close is owned by the Borough of Poole and managed by Poole Housing Partnership, (PHP) the Council's Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO). PHP manages all the Council's homes and is based in Poole. |
Where is it? | It is in the Hamworthy area of Poole not far from Poole Quay with its museums and activities. There is a co-op store next to the site 100 yards away. There is a GPs surgery close by with a chemist next door. There is a local library with in 5 minutes walk. |
What is it for? | It aims to give people good housing and that little bit of support so they can carry on living independently. A member of staff, whose job title is Sheltered Housing Officer, is available on site during normal working hours Monday to Friday. A large part of the Sheltered Housing Officer's job is to support tenants. |
Right to occupy | People living in Hinchliffe Close have a legal agreement to live there and details are set out in Secure Tenancy Agreements between them and PHP. |
How to get it? | Only people who need housing can apply. People thinking about moving will be asked why they need to move. They have to give their reasons on an application form. The Borough of Poole operates a Choice-based lettings Scheme called Homechoice: when a flat becomes vacant it is advertised and applicants can 'bid' for it. They would usually go to the person or couple who need it most of those bidding. The most common reasons for needing to move are:
Anyone interested in wanting to move to Hinchliffe Close has to get an application form from the Borough of Poole. |
What is provided? Facilities | There is one communal lounge on site that all tenants can use if they want to have more space for parties, get-togethers or meetings. It is bright and sunny and overlooks the garden area. There is also a communal kitchen, toilets and a guest room that residents relatives and friends can hire for a small charge. There are buggy stores located on the scheme for those people who have mobility scooters. Electric is provided in these buggy stores for recharging the scooters. |
Services | Hinchliffe Close has three main services. They are: 1. A support service provided by sheltered housing staff (the Sheltered Housing Officer) – this is to help people get information, give help with welfare benefits and point people in the right direction for other services. Sheltered housing staff do not provide personal care. 2. A community alarm service. When sheltered housing staff are not available residents are able to get help by using the community alarm service. Every flat has an intercom and pull cords and there are also pull cords in the communal lounge. If someone uses this equipment the staff at the community alarm service know help is needed and they will send it quickly. On site sheltered housing staff also use the intercom to call residents or visit them depending on their agreed support plan . 3. A management and repairs service. Sheltered housing staff will contact PHP if any repairs need to be done. PHP will arrange for contractors to come out to do the repairs. |
Standards | There are standards covering all of the services that are provided at Hinchliffe Close and people who live there have copies of the standards they can expect. PHP is always keen to make sure that work is done to good standards. |
Relationship with the local community | Hinchliffe close is part of the local community and people living there take part in activities in the local area. The building is not open for regular use by the local community although social events are regularly held at Hinchliffe Close and local people might be invited to attend. |
Staffing and expertise | Hinchliffe Close has one designated Sheltered Housing Officer who works as part of a team. The SHO has been trained to give advice on the kinds of help and support that are available. The SHO also has first aid training. |
Complaints and other matters | Anyone living at Hinchliffe Close can expect to be treated with courtesy at all times. Everyone moving into Hinchliffe Close is given a handbook that explains what they should do if they are not happy with a service. Complaints are taken seriously and staff aim to put matters right if possible. |
Costs to you | The Supporting People charge is for housing related support provided by the sheltered housing staff and the Control Centre. The heating charge is for the gas central heating and hot water. All the charges are weekly over 48 weeks of the year. Communal heating charges will vary from scheme to scheme. Many people who are on low incomes qualify for Housing Benefit to cover all or some of the rent. Some people also get almost all of their service and support costs met, except for the heating and hot water charges to the individual properties.. Our staff can help work out what people would pay before they move. |
Value for money | Our charges compare well with rents and charges for similar housing for older people in Poole. |
Want to know more? | Please contact Sheltered Housing Officer, Mrs Maralyn Kitcher on : 01202 684306 |