Inward House

Ishtiaq Ali started working for Inward House Projects in 2000 as a Housing Advice and Liaison Officer. Prior to this he worked in a local authority housing department and in specific gained experience in housing needs & homelessness, estate management, tenant participation and welfare rights and entitlements. His progression through Inward House Projects started in late 2002 when he was appointed to Housing Manager in East Lancashire and set up the Floating Housing Support Services there whilst also managing the supported housing project.

Over the next 5 years, Ishtiaq continued to develop services in line with IHP strategic direction and following a brief period managing the organisations Tier 3 services, returned to manage all of Inward House's housing support services. Since the beginning of 2011, Inward House Projects has developed a strategic growth plan for its Recovery Housing Services and is being led by Ishtiaq. Ishtiaq has an Executive Diploma in Management studies from Lancaster University to complement his Housing Diploma from Salford University and Building Studies diploma from University of Central Lancashire.

Elaine joined Inward Housing Projects in April 2004 as a Floating Housing Support Worker to support people in active addiction in maintaining their accommodation. Her commitment and dedication was rewarded in 2006 when she became a Care Plan Supervisor. Elaine subsequently transferred her skills to Supported Housing to work with an abstinent client group in 2009 and progressed to the role of Team Leader of Housing Recovery Services. 

Amongst other things, Elaine has direct experience of receiving support from IHP and has previous experience of dual diagnosis from working within adult care and mental health rehabilitation services. 

Elaine qualified with a distinction from Manchester Metropolitan University in the Advanced Practitioner in Substance Misuse course as well as gaining a BA Honours Degree in Social Work at the University of Central Lancashire.  She also holds a Foundation Degree in Health & Social Welfare as well as DOH Induction Standards; OCNW Counselling Skills and CTAD Mentoring gained at Lancaster University.

Joanne joined Inward House Projects in 2007 as an Administrator. During this time she realised her potential and very quickly progressed on to become a Floating Housing Support Worker achieving her goal of supporting vulnerable adults.

During this time Joanne has completed extensive training and gained further qualifications including NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care and Level 3 accreditation in Drug & Alcohol National Occupational Standards.

Joanne’s commitment to her role and the aims of Inward House Projects were rewarded when she was successful in gaining the role of Care Plan Supervisor in 2008 within the Blackpool team. This role required Joanne to over see case management and performance within the functions of the team as well as deputise for the Locality Manager as required. In 2010, Joanne again proved that she had the qualities, experience and knowledge to take on a fresh challenge and was promoted to Team Leader for the Blackpool Team.

Lisa Corkhill has work for Inward House Projects for over six years as a  Floating Housing Support Worker throughout Lancashire supporting vulnerable adults with substance misuse issues to maintain their accommodation.   Prior to her employment with IHP Lisa worked as a volunteer group facilitator within Tier 3 and Tier 4 services and as a generalist advisor at the CAB in Burnley. She is pro active with studies to enhance her own personal and professional development and has achieved a Level 2 in Counselling Skills, Level 3 in Understanding Drugs and Substance misuse, Level 3 Advanced Practitioner in the Management of Substance Misuse, and a NVQ 3 in Advice & Guidance.  Lisa has recently successfully completed a Foundation Degree in Substance Misuse and am hopes to continue with her personal development ambitions.

Robert joined Inward House Projects in September 2009 as Floating Housing Support Worker having worked for NHS Harm Reduction Team in East Lancashire.  He qualified as a Mental Health Nurse in 2008 and has a specialist interest in Addictions.  Robert's experience has also been gained by volunteering for Lancaster Homeless Action and Preston Drugline.  Robert believes suitable housing is a crucial part of recovery as stated in the National Drugs Strategy.

Natalie is a Floating Housing Support worker who works in the West Lancashire area. She has worked in her role for approximately 18 months and has progressed into this following time spent in an administrative capacity. Her duties include supporting vulnerable adults with substance misuse issues or offending behaviour to secure and maintain suitable accommodation. The support provided is usually alongside other agencies and meets the goals outlined within each client's support plan. 

Natalie has recently graduated from Liverpool John Moores University with a BSc (Hons) in Psychology and Biology and my academic interests include psychology, mental health and substance misuse, and she has completed her Dissertation on the effects of recreational cocaine use on human timing ability.

Kathryn joined Inward House Projects as a volunteer in 2006 to pursue her passion of working with vulnerable adults. This commitment was soon recognized and she was rewarded with the offer of becoming a employee as a Floating Housing Support Worker.  Kathryn has gained qualifications in substance misuse, counseling and health & social care and also undertakes responsible for Health & safety at the South locality floating support office.  Kathryn maintains her passion for the work she does and enjoys her role and the diverse challenges she faces on a day to day basis.

Emma joined Inward House Projects in 2003 as an administrator and after taking a couple of breaks due to having children and working part time, she then progressed onto a floating housing support worker in 2009.  Emma has always been passionate about helping others and feels the role she does makes a significant and positive contribution towards the lives of the clients and their extended peers. Emma has completed an NVQ Level 3 in  Health and Social Care and completed many internal and external training courses. Emma enjoys being part of the Recovery Housing team.

Louise joined Inward House Projects in 2007 after completing her Masters Degree in Social Work.  She joined the team as a Floating Housing Support Worker and is currently fulfilling this role on a part time basis. Louise has a background of working with families and young people who live in areas of high deprivation.  She has provided support to both young people and their families to achieve new skills and promoted change. Louise also has experience of working within Social Services; however her passion lies with supporting and promoting equality, empowerment and autonomy to individuals that are often discriminated and marginalized within our society.  

Amongst other training and qualifications gained, Louise has also graduated with a BA (Hons) in Applied Social Sciences and Child, Young Person and Family Studies.

Mel works as a part-time Floating Housing Support Worker in Lancaster.  Mel has worked for Inward House since 2004 and during this time has experienced a variety of roles including Supported Housing worker followed now by her work within the Floating Housing Support team.

Mel is currently working towards her NVQ3 diploma in Health and Social care and has completed many short courses to assist in her posts over the years. Mel has spent many years working with people with substance misuse issues.  She is a very passionate about her work and displays a great deal of empathy towards the clients and their circumstances.

Daniel is a recent addition to the Inward House team and has worked at the Blackpool locality since September 2010. Prior to this, Daniel offered his services as a volunteer, developing his knowledge of tenancy support for individuals with substance misuse issues.

In addition to his wealth of experience of drug and alcohol treatment within the criminal justice field, Daniel has comfortably settled into the Floating Housing team and provides an empathic and comprehensive support package to those he works with.

During his time with IHP Daniel has gained numerous qualifications to add to an array of undergraduate university achievements in Counselling and Social Science and has completed his DANOS compliant level 3 Substance Misuse Practitioner award. Daniel is very proud of his role and is passionate about supporting clients in achieving their goals and aspirations.

Kieran joined Inward House Projects in 2009 as a Floating Housing Support Worker having worked for several years in Blackpool’s Tier 4 service as a senior Support Worker. Prior to this, his experience of substance misuse related issues was gained in a drug and alcohol treatment service in Bournemouth.

However, Kieran’s housing experience stems from almost 5 years of work within a homeless persons hostel in a support worker capacity and temporary manager capacity before moving to Blackpool. Whilst in this role, Kieran developed a broader knowledge base of the housing issues faced by individuals with substance misuse issues.

Today, Kieran transfers his expertise and knowledge to clients of Inward House Projects helping them maintain, sustain or acquire appropriate accommodation.

Kieran has undertaken various in-house and external training courses during his career including a DANOS qualification in Substance Misuse and a NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care.

Wynne joined Inward House Projects in 2007 as a Floating Housing Support Worker. She brought with her many years of experience in the housing field, having worked as the Community Housing Manager for a leading Housing Association and as Homelessness Officer at Wyre Borough Council.

Prior to this, Wynne also worked for Homestart with families with young children and for the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Wynne has completed various courses and qualifications in substance misuse, housing, advice and guidance and safeguarding during her time with Inward House Projects and enjoys the varied challenges associated with her role.

Deborah joined Inward House Projects in November 2003 as a volunteer. In March 2004 she became an employee of IHP and has worked at St. James House in Accrington for a period of 7 years.  Deborah is very passionate and committed in her job role and aims to empower residents to become aware of their choices and supporting them through their recovery journey.

Throughout her employment Deborah has accumulated experience working directly with Probation, CARAT workers, Community and Rehabilitation Centers.  She has gained qualifications in this area of work which include NVQ level 3 Health & Social Care, OCNQ level 2 promoting Positive Change with Substance Mis-users, CIEH level 2 H&S in work place, PTLLS, Open college Level 2 Working with Drug Users and many more.  Deborah has proved to be an extremely committed and effective member of the team with both colleagues and clients.

After residing at St James House as a service user in 2001-2002,  Anthony began volunteering for Inward House Projects in 2002-2003. Anthony applied successfully for the position of floating support worker in 2003 working with active substance misusing clients in the community. During his 7 years in this role he has gained qualifications both internally and externally which has enhanced his working practice within the housing and substance misuse field.

In 2010 Anthony transferred his skills to the Supported Housing project when appointed to the role of Supported Housing Worker in Accrington. Anthony has recently completed PTTLS level 3 and has started using this qualification to deliver courses to the St James House residents to enable them to manage tenancies successfully when they move into the community and live independently.

Roy joined Inward House Projects in 2006 as Supported Housing Worker. Prior to his appointment he worked for the Foyer in Morecambe providing housing support for 16-25 year old residents.

His work at Inward House Projects has been varied but always interesting. He has worked in Tier 4 services at our residential rehabilitation unit at Withnell House as well as the Family Unit in Lancaster. However, over the last few years he has gained wider experience working as a Floating Housing Support Worker in Blackpool before returning to the Supported Housing project in Lancaster.

During his time at Inward House Projects Roy has been enthusiastic in improving his professional practice and to this end has gained Level 3 qualifications in Health and Social Care and Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards amongst other training.

Roy enjoys working with vulnerable adults in any setting and helping them to achieve their full potential.