Issue - meetings

That the progress of the Sheltered Housing Improvement Project from February 2013 and successful completion of the Improvement Programme be noted.

The Director of Community Services introduced the update report on the successful completion of the improvement programme within the Community Based Accommodation Support Service (previously the Sheltered Housing service).  Whilst reporting on further elements of the improvement project, he provided explanation on the implementation of the ‘needs based’ support service to respond to the changing needs of service users and welcomed the achievement of at least 70% of available staff time allocated to this support.  Following the relocation of seven of the community-based hubs to alternative accommodation to free up Council stock, plans were being made to relocate the remaining two.  Information was given on the establishment of two new referral routes to the service and progress with implementing the new staffing structure.  Feedback from current and past users of the service had indicated an overall positive response.

The Director introduced the Senior Sheltered Housing Officer (Dawn Kent) and invited the two Accommodation Support Officers who were present to share their views on service changes.

Sue Roberts and Carmen Wellings explained that whilst the transition period had initially seemed challenging, the benefits resulting from the improvements to the service had been recognised and welcomed by staff and service users.  They felt it was important to recognise the necessity to expand the service to deliver support to a wider range of people with varying needs and that the approach to working as a team rather than as individuals was more professional and rewarding for them.  Sue and Carmen spoke of the range of support on offer to equip individuals with the tools to promote their own independence and deal with any crisis arising in their lives, such as information on changes to benefits and signposting to relevant networks for more challenging needs.  Discussion at a recent Housing Forum meeting had promoted the services to residents from different areas who had welcomed the range of services on offer.  The five staff located at the Ewloe hub were responsible for supporting around 500 service users, each with a support plan in place to identify and respond to their differing needs.

The Chairman said that the improvements to the service had proved to be a great success and welcomed the efficiencies made.

In thanking officers for the positive report, Councillor Paul Shotton asked if the number of current service users not in sheltered accommodation was likely to change from 42, and whether links could be made with partner agencies to provide a befriending service to older people in need.  The Director said that there was an expectation for this number to increase and that positive work was ongoing to support those who were lonely with a recognition that the service would need to adapt flexibly to respond to more complex issues.

The Community Support Services Manager gave assurance of monitoring of the number of services users to ensure that appropriate capacity was available and that a reduced need for support would impact on those figures.  Sue and Carmen explained that the service was able  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54