Woolas urges third sector
to grasp the opportunity to help over one milion vulnerable people
COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT News Release (120) issued by The Government News Network
on 21 June 2007
Local Government
Minister, Phil Woolas has today unveiled a new comprehensive
strategy for delivering housing related support services to
vulnerable people with a key role for the third sector at its heart.
The Supporting People Strategy builds on the current programme
which helps more than a million people a year maintain their
independence, through housing related support services. Currently
£1.7 billions is allocated through the Supporting People programme
to provide the life skills such as cooking and budgeting which
vulnerable people need to maintain their independence in a settled home.
The Supporting People strategy outlines the vital role of the
third sector and asks them to help in shaping how the programme
will be delivered in the future. Charities have long acted as
innovators and campaigners and proved themselves adapt at working
with societies most vulnerable. The Strategy will guarantee that
this excellent work can continue by ensuring all good service
providers can compete fairly when services are tendered and offer
support for services providers.
The strategy also suggests exploring new approaches that would
give service users greater say about the services they receive
through the Individual Budget pilots and new 'Charters for
Independent Living'. The charters would provide a clearly
set out statement of service outlining what services people can
expect to access locally.
Minister for Local Government, Phil Woolas, said: "The
Government's Supporting People programme has been a huge
success story. The £7billion of funding has meant that over one
million vulnerable people - who used to slip through the net - are
now living independent and fulfilled lives in their own homes.
This has helped reduce re-offending, homelessness and rough
sleeping and anti-social behaviour as well as helping the most
vulnerable and excluded contribute to wider society.
"But we have now reached a watershed in the programme and we
need to refocus our approach to give the service users a greater
say. Like all members of the community vulnerable people should
have choice and control to ensure the services they use are
tailored to their individual needs.
"The third sector is absolutely vital to the success of the
programme so we are intending to provide the support they need to
play a full role in delivering Supporting People Services. Only
then we can benefit from the unique skills, knowledge and
expertise the sector possesses."
Other key elements of the strategy include:
* Introduce an integrated assessment process where people can be
assessed for health, social care and housing support at the same time.
* Ensure that access to services are not unnecessarily restricted
through administrative boundaries - particularly for those groups
of people who tend to be more mobile such as survivors of domestic violence.
* Improve communication with those receiving Supporting People
services - making sure they are properly informed about what is
happening, particularly when service changes are being made.
* Additional support for Third Sector providers - in particular
harnessing their creativity in working with the hardest to reach people.
* Support local authorities to deliver greater efficiencies
through the National Supporting People Improvement Programme.
* Reduce monitoring arrangements to a necessary minimum along
side reporting through Local Area Agreements.
Notes to Editors
To view the Supporting People Strategy please visit http://www.communities.gov.uk
Public Enquiries: 020 7944 4400;
News Releases: http://www.communities.gov.uk