Each flat has its own kitchen and bathroom. It is usually let unfurnished except for a cooker and a fridge, which are provided by Pierhead. Central heating is supplied through a shared boiler system.

The scheme is monitored 24 hours a day, either by the on-site scheme supervisor, or a community alarm service.

New residents to sheltered housing are expected to be able to live independently, although some residents may require additional support from other agencies like Social Services.

Sheltered Housing is not appropriate for people who need the type of care provided by a rest home / nursing home.

Facilities at our Sheltered Schemes
Our Sheltered Housing schemes offer independent living in secure surroundings. All our accommodation is self contained.

Our schemes also benefit from:

• 24 hour monitoring service
• Full central heating
• Lifts to all floors
• Laundry facilities
• Guest Rooms (there is a small charge for this)
• Communal lounge for social events

Role of the Scheme Supervisor
The scheme supervisor’s primary duty is to act as a good neighbour to each of the tenants and look after the building. In an emergency, the Scheme Supervisor will contact the tenant's doctor, ambulance service, relatives or outside agencies.

The scheme supervisor does not undertake day to day care of any tenant, or do shopping, prepare meals etc, except in an emergency and until other, more appropriate, help is identified.

A scheme supervisor will maintain regular contact with all tenants, either by the communication system or in person, according to their wishes. The scheme supervisor will not enter a resident’s flat without permission, EXCEPT in the case where s/he has been summoned by the emergency alarm or has been unable to make contact with the tenant.

When the Scheme Supervisor is on leave, relief cover will be provided by a Deputy Scheme Supervisor, or by an electronic link to a central control system which monitors emergency calls. The Scheme Supervisor is on duty Monday – Friday between 9am and 5pm.

Tenants
Sheltered Housing is provided specifically for people aged 60 years and above who would benefit from accommodation services provided within the scheme, and are reasonably fit and able to cope independently.

People below 60 are not usually considered for tenancies, although married couples may be eligible if only one of the partners is over 60. In selecting tenants housing, physical and social needs of applicants are all taken into consideration.

Tenancy
In addition to our normal tenancy obligations there are special arrangements made for the safety and well-being of tenants. Tenants are free to come and go as they please, however tenants should inform the Scheme Supervisor when an absence of longer than one day is intended.

The Alarm System
All sheltered housing flats are linked to an alarm system. Each system sends a signal to the Scheme Supervisor which indicates the flat that has sounded the alarm. The alarm should only be used in a real emergency, not for everyday contact with the scheme supervisor. The alarm system is completely private, and cannot be used to overhear conversations in your flat.

Insurance
Pierhead recommends that all tenants have contents insurance for their personal belongings.

Access and Security
In sheltered housing, the flat entrance keys are linked to a master system. The scheme supervisor holds master keys for emergency use. Tenants are not allowed to fit additional locks, bolts and chains to their front door, as this could hamper access in an emergency. However, no member of Pierhead staff would enter a tenants flat without permission / invitation except in an emergency.

If a tenant loses a key, or wishes to have an extra key cut, the Association must grant permission first.

Pierhead’s sheltered schemes also have additional security in the form of a door entry phone, enabling tenants to identify visitors before they allow them to enter the scheme. Tenants should also make sure that entrance doors are not left unlocked and that fire doors are only used in an emergency.

Personal Details
Tenants in sheltered housing are required to inform the scheme supervisor of personal details which may be required in an emergency. These include the names and addresses of relatives and doctors and details of any special medical conditions, such as allergies to certain drugs, etc.

All information will be treated confidentially by staff at the scheme.

Communal facilities
All of our sheltered schemes are provided with facilities which all of our tenants share.

Communal Lounge
The communal lounge is available for all tenants to use for social and recreational events. It is mainly up to tenants to decide which kind of events and activities they wish to arrange, but the scheme supervisor is available to help and advise.

The day to day management of the lounge is the responsibility of the scheme supervisor, and tenants can reserve the lounge for specific events with the scheme supervisor, provided that this does not inconvenience others.

Guest Room
A room is provided in all sheltered schemes for relatives or friends to stay in for a short period. Relatives visiting a tenant who is ill have priority over the room. A small charge will be made. The room can be booked via the Scheme Supervisor, and bookings should be made as far in advance as possible. Tenants should ensure that the room is left in a clean condition when their guests leave.

Laundry
A free laundry is provided in all of our sheltered schemes. It may be necessary for a rota to operate due to the number of tenants using the facility. The laundry is only for the use of the tenants.

Telephone
Our sheltered schemes are pre-wired with telephone cables to each flat to ensure that the connection of a telephone causes the smallest amount of disturbance possible. The standard charge will still be payable by the telephone company. A public telephone is also provided for tenants to make outgoing calls. Friends and relatives should only attempt to contact tenants through the Scheme Supervisor’s phone in a real emergency.

Pets
In general, tenants are prevented from keeping larger pets (e.g. cats, dogs) in our sheltered schemes. However, in exceptional circumstances (e.g. the applicant already has a pet at the point of letting the property) the Association may grant permission for a cat or dog, but will insist on strict limits to the number in any one scheme. If permitted it will be a condition that the pet is kept under control and does not cause a nuisance to other tenants. No objection is made to goldfish, small caged birds etc.

Doctors
If you already have your own doctor locally, you will not need to change on moving into sheltered housing. If you need to register with a new doctor, your scheme supervisor should be able to provide you with details.

Your local Social Services department can provide special equipment for the disabled, arrange for meals on wheels or a home help and give information about a variety of other services that you may require.

Repairs and Maintenance
Pierhead will carry out all essential repairs to the common areas and within each flat . The tenant is responsible for minor repair items such as light bulbs, sink plugs and blocked sinks.

Pierhead will ensure that the common areas are decorated regularly, but tenants are responsible for the decoration in their own home.