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Memorandum from
1. West Kent is a medium sized general housing association that was formed in 1989 as the second large scale voluntary stock transfer (LSVT), taking the stock from Sevenoaks District Council. Since that time we have thrived and now work closely with eight local authorities in Kent and Medway. Our Lifeways team also provide a range of excellent housing related support services for residents of Kent and Medway through our contracts with the two Supporting People teams. We deliver supporting people services to over 1400 vulnerable people through both generic and specialist, short and long term support services for older people, young people, people with mental health, physical and learning disabilities, ex-offenders, people affected by substance misuse and domestic violence. Through the Quality Assessment Framework we are an 'A' grade provider across all our contracts and have an excellent track record of involving our service users in developing and shaping services, contributing to both the local and national strategic agenda development in partnership with Kent County Council, Medway Council and the Department of Health.
2. General Comments about the Value of the Supporting People Programme There is clear evidence that the Supporting People programme has benefited many people throughout the counties of Kent and Medway and continues to do so.
The programme has assisted in achieving many national targets across various clients group, for example; · empowering vulnerable clients to maximise their benefits · preventing deprivation · supporting vulnerable people back to work · sustaining peoples tenancies and ensuring they have a decent home to live in · reducing re-admission to hospital or residential treatment for people suffering substance abuse · working closely with frail elderly to prevent admissions into hospital and reduce the need for residential care
In addition we feel that the current programme is vital as it: · Supports the well being and sustainability of communities · Assists the meeting of national targets in a cost effective way · Empowers vulnerable people to maintain independence and contribute to society in a positive way
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3. Removal of Ring Fenced Supporting People Grant With the removal of ring fencing there is concern that it will reduce or remove the strategic and regulatory aspects of the programme. In Medway this has already begun to happen, where with no prior warning or consultation the Core Strategy Development Group has been disbanded leaving providers questioning the future commitment of the programme and the uncertainty it may be subsumed into existing social care structures, thereby risking the loss of much needed specialist knowledge and the voice of the service user, which has caused a sense of uncertainty for providers and hence vulnerable people.
4. Support for current Quality Assessment Framework
If the outcomes required by Government to sustain stable communities and reduce public expenditure through reduction in offending, residential care or hospital admissions are to be achieved it is essential that service quality measures are in place and set high standards.
There are administrative improvements to the way QAF assessments are undertaken to reduce the costs of this regulation and we are happy to contribute to discussions in this area.
5. Eligibility Criteria Removing the eligibility criteria is seen as both a risk and opportunity. We see the benefits of delivering more innovation and more partnership working with health and social care, however there is a risk clients who do not meet the strict criteria of statutory authorities will be at most risk.
6. Preventive Work is essential for Community Well being Our most important point however is the importance of preventative work that the SP programme provides should not be underestimated and how the outcomes it achieves contribute significantly to meeting national indicators within Local Area Agreements. We strongly believe that SP services 'catch those who slip through the net'.
The vast majority of our clients needs are not and would never be met by statutory duties and without the support they receive, there will be a significant increase in tenancy failure and/or hospital admissions. The Supporting People programme has been a huge success in reaching out and meeting the needs of the most vulnerable and excluded groups and as a key service provider we would strongly support the continuation of the programme.
We include a real case study to demonstrate the difference the SP service is making to peoples lives as Appendix A.
Appendix A
Tenant J Tenant J was an elderly lady living on her own in a 3 bed house. She paid her rent, and kept herself to herself and hence as landlord we had no reason to regularly visit. Through a visit to her home we discovered that Tenant J was living under hoards of clutter and living in a small area of 1 metre square in her living room with over 18 cats. We have attached photos.
Our biggest challenge was engaging with Tenant J as in her eyes she was coping really well and did not need any support. We referred her to social services but because she did not want their help, they could not/ would not assist.
The Support Worker persevered and built up a relationship of trust with Tenant J who finally agreed for her to enter the house and to support her to start slowly clearing some of the clutter and re homing some of her cats. Over a period of six months we encouraged and empowered Tenant J to look at alternative accommodation, and by the end of 12 months Tenant J moved into a one bedroom sheltered flat. With regular visits from her Sheltered Housing Assistant, she was encouraged and empowered to manage her new home, was less lonely and had significantly improved the quality of her life. Without support we believe that her health would have deteriorated, there would have been a crisis, such as a fall that would have required her hospitalisation and longer term may have resulted in a need for residential care.
May 2009
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