A Visit to MACS Housing Support Services and Floating Support Services, Downpatrick
During the summer months, Homeless Connect regularly engages in service visits with member organisations. These visits allow us to meet directly with staff working across the sector and hear about the good work that is happening on the ground.
Additionally, these visits also help inform us about the challenges and barriers faced by staff and services which ultimately helps Homeless Connect to advocate for change on behalf of members at a policy level.
In the month of August, we visited and spoke with staff at MACS Floating Support and Supported Living services in Downpatrick.
About MACS
MACS provide a range of support services to children and young people aged 16-25 in the Greater Belfast, Lisburn, Downpatrick, Newry and Down area. Many of the children and young people they support have a number of needs, including those who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness; those leaving care and those facing exclusion and marginalisation. MACS support individual’s (and their families) during difficult times and help them move onto achieving their goals.
They achieve this through their various services and projects, including their residential supported living services; their floating (or housing related support) services and their shared tenancy scheme which is in partnership with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE). Despite the variations in service provision all support provided at MACS is person-centred and tailored to the individual needs and wants of the service user. In this way support activities can vary widely from finding and maintaining accommodation through to support with emotional and physical wellbeing.
The Visit
When we arrived at MACS in Downpatrick, we met with Claire, Millie, Rosie, Chris, Mark and Ciara who all work across the residential supported living and floating support services which operate across Newcastle, St Field, Killyleagh, Downpatrick and Ballynahinch. MACS operate support services in other areas of Northern Ireland also.
We discussed with staff the nature of the support and services they provide to children and young people. In terms of their floating support services, staff at MACS up to 302 young people across all locations at any one time, all those accessing the service will have a housing need – and often additional interconnected needs, for example mental health difficulties. In this way, the young people accessing the service vary widely in their needs, backgrounds and experiences making it essential for staff to be trained and flexible in delivering a range of support activities.
Regarding MACS supported living, or residential service in Downpatrick, the site can accommodate up to 8 children/young people in self-contained apartment accommodation. This comprises of two assessment units; three units for care leavers; and three units for young people and children experiencing homelessness. Young people can stay at the service for up to two years and staff support them to build their independent living skills and find suitable move-on accommodation. This wrap around support aims to help prepare children and young people following move-on from the residential service.
Many clients following departure from the supported living service engage with MACS floating support services to help them in their transition to independent living in the community. This support provision provides fantastic continuity of care for children and young people, allowing them to continue their relationship with the service and staff in contrast to being referred onto another service.
Staff advised that they meet the young people ‘where they are at’ and create tailored support plans to meet their needs wants and aspirations. It is important to note that staff reflected the importance in being flexible and fluid when supporting young people and as such advised that support plans are not static and are edited and updated in collaboration with clients. In this way, the service and support provided is extremely responsive to the often changing and fluctuating needs of the children and young people. This flexibility in the way of working is effective in helping children and young people on their journey to achieve their goals and best future, whether that be to enter education or employment or to rebuild their relationships.
A Psychologically Informed Environment
Coming to the end of our visit, we were taken on a tour of the service in Downpatrick, which included seeing some of the residential accommodation as well as the support and communal areas. Although we did not discuss Psychologically Informed Environments (PIEs) with the staff, I was struck by the clear example of a psychologically informed built environment in practice. The thoughtful design of the spaces, with attention to creating a calm and supportive atmosphere, was evident. Features such as comfortable seating, warm lighting, and ‘informal feeling’ support and communal areas all contributed to a sense of safety and well-being.
However, perhaps the most striking example of these ideas in practice is captured in the organisation’s policy surrounding the decorating and customising of accommodation. Despite being temporary accommodation, this policy allows residents to paint and personalise their living spaces, which can significantly enhance their sense of belonging and wellbeing. Enabling individuals to create an environment that reflects their personal tastes helps to foster a sense of stability in the lives of children and young people who have often faced long-periods of instability and unpredictability. I personally felt that the supported living service at MACS in Downpatrick is a great example of a Psychologically Informed Environment (PIE).
Challenges
Unlike in other blog posts where we have explored challenges faced by staff and services in the current context and environment, we wanted to take the opportunity to reflect some of the unique challenges faced by children and young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Young people often face a distinct set of obstacles, including disrupted education, mental health issues, and a lack of stable support networks. The instability of homelessness can severely impact their development and future opportunities. Additionally, young people are more vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, making it crucial to address their specific needs with targeted interventions and support systems – this is something MACS provide through their tailored person-centred and coproduced approaches.
Furthermore, in terms of the more practical challenges in securing housing and accommodation, young people face increased financial barriers and stringent conditions set by private landlords. Many young people struggle to afford the high upfront costs associated with renting, such as deposits and advance rent payments.
Additionally, they often lack a stable income or job history, making it difficult to meet the financial criteria set by landlords. Private landlords may also impose strict conditions, such as requiring a guarantor or proof of long-term employment, which can be particularly challenging for young people who are still in education or working in low-paying, unstable jobs. These financial hurdles can significantly limit the housing options for young people, including service users of MACS, making it increasingly difficult for them to exit homelessness.
Conclusions
We came away from the visit to MACS feeling enthusiastic after seeing such a well-run service which prioritises the rights and supports the wellbeing of young people in the local community. All the staff we spoke to wanted to make a difference and be a mentor to young people who are going through rough times. One staff member in particular spoke about their experiences as a young person and how they can reflect and use this to relate to and support other young people.
When staff share their personal experiences, it can create a strong connection and build trust with the young people they support. By reflecting on their own challenges and growth, they can offer genuine empathy and understanding. It can be incredibly motivating for young people to see that someone who has faced similar issues has successfully navigated through them and is now in a position to help others.
Homeless Connect are extremely grateful to Ciara and the team at MACS in Downpatrick for facilitating our visit. You can follow the work of the team on the MACS social media accounts: X, Facebook and LinkedIn, as well as on their website.
