What is a Welfare Check?
A welfare check is a routine or emergency procedure undertaken by housing providers to ensure the well-being of their tenants. This is particularly important in social and community housing where residents might face unique challenges or vulnerabilities.
Why are Welfare Checks Important?
- Safety and Well-being: Checking on tenants helps to identify potential risks to their safety, such as neglect, abuse, or hazardous living conditions.
- Early Intervention: Regular checks can help detect early signs of problems like mental health issues, financial difficulties, or isolation, allowing for timely intervention and support.
- Community Building: Welfare checks foster a sense of community and let tenants know that their housing provider cares about their well-being.
Steps Involved in a Welfare Check
The process of conducting a welfare check typically involves the following steps:
- Identifying Concerns: This could be triggered by a variety of reasons, including missed rent payments, lack of communication, concerns from neighbors, or a change in behavior.
- Initial Contact: The housing provider attempts to make contact with the tenant through phone calls, emails, or in-person visits.
- Organizing the Check: If there’s no response, the housing provider may decide to conduct a welfare check. This involves coordinating with relevant support services, such as police or mental health professionals if necessary.
- The Check: The check itself is usually carried out by housing staff or in partnership with other agencies. They aim to assess the tenant’s safety, health, and living conditions.
- Follow-up: After the check, a support plan is developed to address any identified issues. This might involve connecting the tenant with appropriate services or providing practical assistance.
- Documentation: Detailed records of the welfare check, including actions taken and outcomes, are maintained for future reference.
Respect and Privacy
It’s important to emphasize that welfare checks are conducted with respect for the tenant’s privacy and dignity. Housing providers have policies in place to ensure that checks are carried out in a sensitive and appropriate manner.
Welfare checks are a crucial aspect of providing quality social and community housing. They demonstrate a commitment to the well-being of tenants and can make a significant difference in their lives.
Want to find out more?
If you would like more information regarding this topic for your team or further training, please visit the below site as they run courses on many courses on Tenancy Management, Handling Crisis Calls for Frontline Staff, Domestic & Family Violence Awareness Training & Managing Service Complaints in Social & Community Housing.
https://www.theahi.com.au/
