Examination of Witnesses (Questions 360
- 363)
MONDAY 6 JULY 2009
MR IAN
AUSTIN MP AND
MS LORRAINE
REGAN
Q360 Anne Main: How will you evaluate
any potential discrepancies between inspectors? How will you look
at different reports and know there is a level playing field in
terms of how they are assessing these authorities?
Ms Regan: We are very confident
about the Audit Commission's moderation process and the standards
it sets in terms of report writing and its findings on the CAA.
A very robust methodology has been developed.
Q361 Anne Main: Is there a case for
having mandatory indicators for housing-related support, for example
minimum requirements for housing-related support at local level?
Mr Austin: You mean putting it
on a statutory footing?
Ms Regan: Or putting the two indicators
as part of the national indicators on a mandatory basis?
Q362 Chair: Yes.
Ms Regan: I suggest not. We know
that two thirds of local authorities have picked either one or
both of the national SP indicators. There is a range of other
indicators where SP can contribute and local authorities understand
that. They may well not have picked Supporting People but something
around re-offending or getting people with mental health problems
back into accommodation. There are at least another 20 or 30 indicators
to which Supporting People can contribute, so I do not believe
it is necessary to have the housing-related support indicators
there to make sure it is maintained and delivered in a local area.
Q363 Chair: Do you agree with that,
Minister?
Mr Austin: That is completely
correct.
Chair: There are a couple of areas where
you may want to give us further information when you have gone
away and thought about it. We would welcome that. Thank you very
much.
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