Memorandum from Medway Supporting People Providers Forum (SSP 08)

 

CLG enquiry into SP and the removal of the ring-fence.

When SP was introduced in 2003 it was accepted by all that the bringing together of all the various sources of funding into one central funding source would be better for providers and their service users. The SP programme brought fairness and equity, allowing services to demonstrate their excellence or enabling them to bring services up to much higher standards. Service Users gained by improved services, more consultation and providers felt secure with SP Grant being ring-fenced and not available to attack from other demands placed upon local authorities.

The removal of the ring-fence for SPG has raised anxieties for all providers and a worry that SP money will be diverted into other areas of statutory care services and other local priorities. It is accepted that the removal of ring-fencing does allow for more creative use of funds; for example the joint commissioning of services but providers feel removed from discussions and decisions relating to the future of support services and feel suspicious and worried, particularly given recent budget announcements relating to public sector spending constraints over the next few years.

An effective partnership between Supporting People teams and providers makes for good strategic decisions based on needs and outcomes and the best way to provide services for the vulnerable. The governance structure should be maintained with providers' forums, CSDG and CB, all of whom provide specialist knowledge and experience and the voice of the service user.

The potential for the imposition of strict local connection criteria for supporting people services will mean that many vulnerable people who need to move away from dangerous situations, negative influences or to comply with court Licence conditions will be unable to do so. This has implications for public safety and the potential for people to make change and move on in their lives.

The anxiety generated by the removal of the ring-fence has been heightened in Medway, a small Unitary Authority, as there is no longer a dedicated SP team. There is a Social Care Contracts team, made up of 4 contract officers working in the different areas of service in the area (housing, health, etc), with each area having its compliment of supported housing or other services funded by SP grant but also alternatively funded social care services.

In a very hasty decision recommended by the Council's Contracts Team and agreed without face to face discussion by the Commissioning Body in Medway, the CSDG has been disbanded and there has been no clear indication as to who will be on the planned enlarged CB. It has however been made clear by the local authority that providers will not be welcome to have a direct communication route with CB, which we had been seeking in order to effectively contribute to and influence the strategic decision making process.

The decision to disband the CSDG was taken 'virtually' by e mail vote following the cancellation of the CB meeting due to the February snows. It would appear that there was not a full and frank discussion of the decision by the CB and with at least one of the commissioners believing that the matter had been previously discussed by the CSDG. The representatives on the CSDG only heard about the disbanding in a letter from the Chair of the CB. There had been no discussion in CSDG and no warning that this was even on the agenda. It will be appreciated that this sequence of events can only heighten disquiet amongst providers and their clients about the future.

Housing related support has been shown to benefit vulnerable people and the community by more than it costs. The most accurate monitoring of need and outcomes for vulnerable people in receipt of support services is that gained from providers. The voice of the providers in Medway and the expertise and skills they have are being taken out of any consideration of maintaining, decommissioning and procuring of services in the area and the views and needs of the service users will not be considered.

KLOE (Audit Commission April 2008) shows a requirement for a commitment to CSDG (Core Strategy Group) and CB (Commissioning Body). It also calls for good working partnerships with providers and service users and with the voluntary and community sector in general. There is also recognition of the value of having trusted forums to engage with service providers and service users. Part of the Commissions reviews of services considers how well the local area serves its most vulnerable residents. There is a lot of concern that they will not be well served in Medway.

 

April 2009