Be-With-Us
John Cook
B-with-Us is the name of the sub-regional Choice Based Lettings scheme that covers Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle and Rossendale. Properties are let via a common allocations policy that covers all social housing in the above boroughs. The B-with-Us scheme has 4 bands: people in band 1 have the highest priority and people in band 4 the lowest
People living in supported accommodation such as that provided by THOMAS are in band 2 which means they have a very good chance of successfully bidding for a property. The THOMAS workers have fully embraced the concept of the move on procedure and explain it clearly to their tenants.
A case in point is a 43 year old male who prior to going to THOMAS rehab, had a 22 year history of crime and drug use, costing the taxpayer and government in access of 1 million pounds. This male now lives a normal independent happy life, is in full time employment, and contributing to society.
Accrington & Rossendale College are working in Partnership with the THOMAS Organisation to assist residents in gaining qualifications from the Qualification Credit Framework (QCF). These are designed to be more responsive to employer and learner needs, are market led, simple, flexible and have currency to learners.
BTEC short courses are designed to meet a range of different needs and maximise the flexibility in obtaining work related and personal development qualifications.
Learners will have the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge, qualities and attitudes essential for everyday life.
