Young woman getting out of taxi

Stopover emergency accommodation

What is Stopover?

Stopover is a 24-hour access, emergency accommodation facility for vulnerable young people aged 16-21 inclusive who are homeless or at risk. The building consists of sixteen single bedrooms in four fully furnished flats. Young people can stay for up to three months, with a possible extension where appropriate. Staff are on duty 24 hours a day.

What does Stopover provide?

The Stopover service includes:

  • Safe, supported, quality accommodation for young people
  • Access to home making and life skills training
  • Help to engage with other support agencies, including dealing with telephone calls, correspondence and interviews
  • Advice on debts and personal budgeting
  • Support, advice and assistance to young people to help them address their housing needs, with the aim of moving them onto appropriate accommodation
  • Advice to young people who cannot be admitted

How does it work?

Each young person is allocated a key worker within three days of arrival. The key worker and young person will jointly produce and regularly review a personal development plan, aimed at addressing personal issues and securing appropriate move-on accommodation.

Young people are also expected to attend key work meetings and any other meetings agreed with their key worker, such as housing appointments.

Young People have the opportunity to attend weekly meeting where they can discuss issues around the running of Stopover, including such things as arranging activities, decoration and furnishings.

Who can apply to Stopover?

Applications to Stopover are welcome where the person applying:

  • Is aged between 16 and 21 years inclusive
  • Is homeless, or at risk in their current housing circumstances
  • Has a housing support need
  • Is not moving directly out of residential care
  • Does not have a significant drug or alcohol problem
  • Is not suffering from severe mental health problem

What is the application procedure?

Stopover welcomes referrals from any source, including young people themselves. Individuals and agencies should phone first to find out if there is a vacancy. Although referrals can be made at any time, we ask that referrals after midnight are only made in an emergency.

Information will be taken over the phone to establish that the referral meets Stopover’s basic criteria. If so, and a vacancy exists, the young person will be asked to attend an interview with two project staff. If accepted, he or she can move in immediately. Information may be sought from other agencies.

How do I get in touch with Stopover?

For further information and to make a referral please contact us at:

Stopover
40 Grove Street
Edinburgh
EH3 8AT

Tel: 0131 229 6907
Fax: 0131 229 8381
stopover@foursquare.org.uk

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Care Commission

This service is regulated by the Care Commission. You can contact them at:

Care Commission,
Compass House,
11 Riverside Drive,
Dundee DD1 4NY.
Tel: 01382 207100
Lo-call: 0845 60 30 890

Complaints

If you are unhappy with the service provided by Stopover, we have a written complaints procedure. We treat seriously any complaint or dissatisfaction with the Project. If you would like a copy of the Complaints Procedure, please ask.