Bella was referred to the Women’s Service when she was released from prison following convictions for robbery.
She has a licence requirement to live in Approved Premises, outstanding housing debts from her previous tenancy, no contact with her children, no family network and poor mental health. She also had a lack of trust in professionals, who she felt had let her down badly in the past.
The priority need for Bella was accommodation, as her period at the Approved Premises was short and she had a poor tenancy history, making accommodation options more limited. Her Women’s Service Practitioner completed referrals to all local supported living providers and explored numerous avenues due to barriers presented. A number of funding applications were also submitted, along with assessments for various benefits. She is now receiving Universal Credit, and has started to make repayments towards her previous rent arrears.
To support Bella’s mental health, she was supported to register with a new GP, to access mental health support and referrals were made for counselling. Bella has now received a diagnosis of Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, resulting from a long period of domestic abuse.
Bella recently started to access the Women’s Service peer support groups. She was very nervous ahead of the first one, but was keen to attend. Her WS Practitioner and Probation Practitioner offered lots of reassurance and arranged for her to arrive early so she didn’t need to walk into a room of people.
Bella is still on the housing list, but her bids are now getting closer to the top. Once accommodation is secured and she has a more stable environment, we will start to focus on gaining access to her children.
She is slowly starting to build trust with the professionals she is engaging with.
