About the Service
The Temporary Accommodation Support Service (TASS) provides person-centred, wraparound support to individuals, couples and families who are living in, or preparing to move into, temporary accommodation provided through Bedford Borough Council, both within Bedford Borough and in placements outside the area.
Recognising that homelessness and housing instability are often interconnected with other complex issues, TASS helps people address the wider challenges that may affect their ability to sustain their accommodation and work towards settled housing.
By providing flexible, holistic support shaped around the needs and goals of each household, the service aims to reduce the risk of repeat homelessness and help people move forward with greater confidence and independence.
What can we help with?
Support looks different for every household and responds to the challenges affecting their housing, wellbeing and ability to move forward.
Some of the things the service can support with include:
- Managing money, budgeting, bills and household costs
- Accessing benefits, money advice and other financial support
- Developing independent living skills
- Improving physical health, mental health and wellbeing
- Accessing support with drug or alcohol use
- Addressing safety or security concerns
- Accessing education, training and employment opportunities
- Building positive relationships and community connections
- Connecting with other services and sources of support
- Preparing for a move into settled accommodation
- Working with landlords to support a smooth move
- Settling into a new home and community
Who is this service for?
TASS is for eligible households, including individuals, couples and families, who are living in, or preparing to move into, non-Council-owned temporary accommodation. At the time of referral, households must be owed a statutory housing duty or power by Bedford Borough Council and have additional support needs that may affect their ability to sustain their accommodation or move towards settled housing.
The service mainly provides direct support to adults aged 18 and over, although young people aged 16 or 17 may also be eligible in rare circumstances. Children under 16 can be part of a supported household and their needs are considered within the support provided, but they do not have their own support worker.
How do we work?
TASS takes a person-centred, strengths-based and trauma-informed approach. The service works with each household to understand what matters to them, the challenges they are facing and the strengths, skills and resources they already have.
Support is aligned with the household’s Personal Housing Plan and shaped around their individual needs and goals. It is flexible and can adapt as circumstances change or new support needs emerge.
Partnership working is central to the service. TASS complements the work of Bedford Borough Council’s Housing Team and takes a collaborative, wrap-around approach, bringing together relevant services around the needs of each household. Depending on the support required, this may include Council teams, landlords, health and mental health services, substance use services, social care, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and voluntary and community organisations.
Support can also continue for a period after someone moves into settled accommodation, helping them manage the transition and establish themselves in their new home and community.
