Committee Report: Supporting People Annual Report 2005-06

Report to:

Cabinet

Date:

16th November 2006

Subject:

Supporting People Annual Report 2005-06

Report of:

Director of Adult Services

Contact officers:

Paul Stevenson, Assistant Director Finance & IT – 01942 872800

Purpose / summary:

To advise members as to the progress which has taken place within the Supporting People Programme in 2005/6 and to highlight the key actions for 2006/07.

Alternative options considered and reason for selecting the one recommended:

Not applicable.

Recommendation / decision:

That members note the contents of the report.

Key Decision:

This report does not involve a key decision.

Implications:

 

Financial:

None

Staffing:

None

Policy:

The actions outlined in the report are consistent with the Supporting People 5 year strategy.

Equal Opportunities - Has a Diversity Impact Assessment been conducted?

Not applicable

Wards affected:

None

Special Interest Members – Which have been consulted

None

Tracking/Process:

 

Consultation

Ward Members

Partners

 

-

-

-

Panel

Overview & Scrutiny

Cabinet

Council

-

-

-

-

There are no Background Papers to this Report within the meaning of Section 100D of the Local Government Act 1972.

Proper Officer

Bernard Walker

Date

9th November 2006

1. Background

The Supporting People Strategy which was submitted to DCLG in March 2005 outlines the current supply of housing related support services; the need for such services; identified gaps in provision and the priorities for development. The Strategy also included some indicative outcome measures and targets, but recognised that as the Supporting People Programme is still a relatively new programme, accurate baseline data was not yet available.

This report seeks to provide a summary of the progress achieved in the tasks identified in the annual plan for 2005-06 contained within the Strategy, an update on national issues and an overview of the performance of services commissioned by the Council on behalf of the Supporting People Commissioning Body (comprising representatives from the Council, Health and Probation). Key actions for 2006/7 have also been identified.

2. National Issues

2.1 “Supporting Independence: Next Steps in our Supporting People Strategy” (DCLG)

A report was presented to Cabinet in January 2006 outlining Wigan’s proposed response to the national Supporting People Strategy consultation document. In July 2006, DCLG published a summary of the responses; their preliminary conclusions and identified areas where further work and discussions would be carried out. The key messages which indicate how DCLG intend to move forward have been attached in Appendix A - at this stage they tend to be general aspirations rather than specific recommendations. The topics covered include the following:

Wigan Supporting People Commissioning Body does not have any concerns regarding the initial messages emanating from DCLG.

2.2 National outcomes framework

The DCLG’s national outcomes framework for Supporting People will be ready for implementation by approx July 2007, following a pilot during winter 07. The 5 high level outcomes set out below, which form the basis of the framework, are those adopted by the Department for Education and Skills (DFES) for the Every Child Matters: Change for Children programme.

The approach to be adopted to measure those outcomes is currently under discussion; however the early indication is that the following ones may be used.

Economic Wellbeing

Number of clients supported to

Enjoying and Achieving

Number of clients supported to

Being Healthy

Number of clients supported to

Stay safe

Number of clients

Making a positive contribution

Number of clients supported to

3. Local Issues

3.1 Grant allocation for 2007/8

An announcement was received from the DCLG in July 2006 which advised that the amount of Supporting People grant in Wigan for 2007/08 would be £7,626,132. This is an increase of £529,500 on the current year’s grant allocation of £7,096,632.

The additional resource is welcome news but it needs to be put into context. The Supporting People programme has been operational since April 2003 and the total amount of funding that was originally secured was £7,685,425. From 2003/04 to 2006/07 cuts have been applied to the grant totalling £588,793. Therefore in 2007/8 Wigan will actually have a reduction of £59,293 from the original amount that was secured, notwithstanding the effect of nil inflationary increases from 2004/05 onwards.

The Commissioning Body are currently considering the options for the use of the additional allocation.

We have continued to lobby DCLG to ensure that Wigan receives its fair share under the allocations formula and that a balance is struck between providing some degree of stability to those authorities with historically high expenditure and reallocating resources according to needs.

3.2 Supporting People Annual Plan Update

The Supporting People Strategy included an annual plan. The table below shows the progress made in 2005/6; action taken since April 2006 and actions planned before April 2007

The DCLG stated that all service reviews must be completed by March 2006. Consequently, the focus during 2005/6 was on meeting this deadline. There are approx 240 services in Wigan which were grouped into 60 service reviews. This service review process replaced the normal tendering arrangement and involved the following tasks.

When drafting the annual plan early in 2005, we had not appreciated the length of time and staff effort that it would take to complete all reviews. This resulted in some non review tasks being deferred until 2006/07, though these are now well underway.

Task

Progress

2005/6

Action Taken In 2006/7 And Plans For Outstanding Action 2006/7

Achieve efficiency savings/ redistribution of funding to enable more equity between client groups.

Efficiency savings have been made to bring expenditure into line with the available funding through a combination of the service review process, voluntary contributions from service providers and the decommissioning of a service. In 2005/6 the level of cuts required to balance the budget were achieved but the programme did overspend as a result of an increased number of people eligible for SP grant in certain variable contracts.

We have also secured external capital funding for one Provider enabling us to develop a new scheme which will support a greater number of people within existing resources.

 

Develop emergency accommodation for single homeless people.

We have to date been unable to identify a suitable site. The ideal site is one that is away from residential areas, but close to a town centre so that vulnerable people who would be living there are not placed at risk or isolated. A few suitable sites have been identified, however due to the amount of development work in and around Wigan town centre, land owners are either unwilling to sell anticipating further increases in land values or sites have been earmarked for development for other uses.

The Council will pursue the acquisition of any appropriate site.

Undertake strategic review of emergency accommodation.

Undertake strategic review of floating support services.

These two tasks have now been merged into a strategic review of short term accommodation based and floating support services.

Whilst the strategic review didn’t formally start until July 2006, the information gathered through the review process is now feeding into this project

The project group has now been set up and includes representatives from Housing Strategy, Supporting People and all providers affected.

Background data has been collated; the project group has now met and agreed objectives; monthly meetings will be held with a view to developing recommendations for future action by April 2007

Complete service reviews.

Key task - completed 60 service reviews in line with DCLG’s deadline. – process outlined above.

 

Determine capital investment required for existing services.

See comment 2006-07.

Information is currently being gathered for sheltered housing through the strategic review of sheltered housing

and a similar approach will be adopted for short term services as part of that strategic review.

Improve access to ordinary tenancies.

The approach being adopted to increase move on opportunities includes the development of an Affordability Strategy; improving access to the private rented sector through the development of a Bond Scheme(42 properties); RSL signing a new nomination agreement (50% of all vacancies) and other private landlord initiatives including advertising private tenancies in the Property Shop. A number of steps have also been taken to reduce demand by preventing homelessness.

We have also secured funding through the Learning Disability Development Fund to employ a development worker to develop a wider range of housing options.

The development of a “move

on” strategy is currently being addressed as part of a strategic review of short term accommodation based and floating support services.

The revised Council Allocations Policy proposes placing people leaving supported housing in Band 2 once they are ready to move on. Band 1 is an emergency category and includes people currently staying in the LA’s temporary accommodation or in B&B or people who are roofless.

 

Accredit providers.

Process agreed with Policy and Performance Improvement Team (Management Accountancy) in July 2005. Application forms sent to Providers in September 2005. Since the forms have been returned, the Supporting People Team has been working with PPI Team to determine if providers meet the required standards.

14 providers out of a total of 21 been accredited (excluding adult placement)

The remaining Providers will be accredited by March 2007.

Issuing contracts.

Deferred until 2006/7 due to concerns regarding future funding and a commitment to try to develop a standard north west specification. However, as a common specification has not been agreed, we are now in the process of developing a Wigan template.

Contracts to be issued by the end of February 2007

Agree long term commissioning processes which comply with standing orders.

Deferred until 2006/7 as awaiting outcome of the national Value Improvement Projects which provide guidance regarding procurement

Wigan’s Supporting People Procurement Policy to be developed by end of January 2007

Improving service delivery through focussing on outcomes.

Pilot undertaken in 11 services from July 2005-January 2006

Wigan drafted the north west regional data monitoring form and guidance. Implementation has been delayed owing to the decision to develop a national approach. Work done by NW/Wigan feeding into national discussions.

Contract monitoring.

PIs returned and uploaded to DCLG on a quarterly basis. High level of returns and overall good performance(see 3.3.1 below)

Future contract monitoring process now agreed and will be implemented with immediate affect

Improve operation and transparency of decision making structures.

Minutes placed on local area of national SP website.

 

Operation and terms of reference of all Supporting People planning groups under review. To be completed by end of December 2006

Implementing needs assessment plan.

The information gained through the service review process is being drawn together into 5 reports which will feed into the ongoing assessment of need

Appendixes to the Supporting People Strategy, which contain the needs analysis for each client group, are being updated by the Supporting People Team and Housing Strategy. Gaps in information are being identified and plans put in place to fill the gaps.

 

Implementing draft consultation plan.

Significant numbers of people were consulted as part of the service reviews. Changes to service delivery made in response to consultation will be identified through the contract monitoring process.

Consultation plan is in the process of being updated to reflect requirements of new Supporting People KLOE

Monitor implementation of the Strategy.

Elements of the strategy monitored through normal Commissioning Body business, though to be more formalised in 2006-07.

Monitoring to be strengthened.

Review the strategy.

To be undertaken in 2006/7

Strategic priorities will be reviewed by the Commissioning Body in January 2007 following consultation with providers and collation of all available data.

3.3 Performance

The Supporting People Strategy identified the following outcome measures

Wigan’s Community Plan Objective

Wigan Supporting People Desired Outcomes

National /Local

Outcome Measure

Goal 2 Objective 2

Increasing the quality of life of vulnerable people

 

Goal 6 Objective 1

To provide access to a decent home for all

  • An increasing number of service users are supported to establish and maintain independent living
  • An increasing number of service users move on in a planned way from temporary living arrangements
  • There is fair access for people who are eligible for Supporting

People services

  • The quality of services continue to improve
  • All service users are registered with a GP
  • National
  • National
  • National
  • Local
  • Local

Goal 1 Objective1

Improve access to jobs and training particularly for economically disadvantaged groups

  • An increasing number of people are assisted to access employment, education and training
  • Local

3.3.1 National Performance Indicators

The performance of SP commissioned services against the national KPIs
is shown in the tables below. There has been limited national comparative data available – 2005/6 Quarter 3 and 4 only. However when Wigan’s figures were compared for Q4 (2005/6), we were in the top quartile for KPI 1 and 2.

Wigan’s targets for 2005/6 were based on only 3 quarters of data for 2004/5 so when the full year affect was known some of the targets became inappropriate, however have been shown below given that they were included in the Supporting People Strategy 2005-10

KP - Number of service users supported to establish and maintain independent living

KPI - Number of service users moving on in a planned way from temporary living arrangements

Client Group

Maintaining independent living - supported housing

Maintaining Independent living – floating support

Planned move on from short term supported housing

Actual 2004/5

%

Target 05/06

%

Actual

2005/6

%

Actual 2004/5

%

Target 05/06

%

Actual

2005/6

%

Actual 2004/05

%

Target 05/06

%

Actual 2005/6

%

Frail Elderly

97.9

98.00

98.0

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Homeless

Families

N/A

N/A

N/A

74.1

76

N/A

 

69.2

77

82.6

Offenders

N/A

N/A

N/A

93.8

86

93.4

46.2

42

36.4

Older People

99.3

100

99.3

85.3

97

100

N/A

N/A

N/A

People with Learning Disabilities

99.1

100

99.9

100.00

98

100

14.3

 

 

93.3

People with Mental Health Problems

98.0

98

99.6

99.8

100

98

75.0

75.9

85.7

People with Physical/ Sensory Disabilities

N/A

100

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

80.0

100

100

Single

Homeless People

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

55.8

40

67.9

Teenage Parents

N/A

N/A

N/A

94.7

95

95.7

68.4

72

50

Women at risk of

domestic violence

N/A

N/A

N/A

100

100

98.7

79.2

89

81.1

Young People Leaving Care

100

100

100

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Young People at Risk

N/A

N/A

N/A

79.5

100

82.4

65.6

30

85.7

The performance workbook completed by the Providers also show where service users move to when leaving the service. A detailed breakdown has been included within Appendix B.

KPI - There is fair access for people who are eligible for Supporting People services

The following table shows the ethnic origin of those people accessing services (with the exception of sheltered housing)

Ethnic Origin

Year 03/04

Year 04/05

Year 05/06

Not none

1

0

0

African

5

10

12

Asian/Asian British/Other

6

2

3

Black/Black British/Other

5

3

3

Caribbean

1

0

3

Indian

3

3

2

Mixed Other

0

2

3

Other ethnic group

6

0

6

Pakistani

0

7

5

Refused

1

2

1

White British

961

1079

1040

White Irish

9

6

10

White Other

4

6

10

White/Asian

1

0

0

White/Black African

2

3

1

White/Black Caribbean

1

5

0

Grand Total

901

1048

1010

All groups except White British/Irish/Other

30

38

38

All groups except White British/Irish/Other as a % of all people accessing services – excluding refused/unknown

3%

3.4%

3.5%

The above table show that the proportion of people from BME communities accessing supported housing (with the exception of sheltered housing for which figures are not available) is higher than the proportion of the population from BME groups.

3.3.2 Local Outcome Measures

The Supporting People Team sought to collect local data for the indicators outlined above (access to GPs, education, training and employment) and piloted data collection forms. However there have been delays in introducing a local monitoring system across all services as a result of the announcement that a national approach is due to be developed.

Consequently it has not been possible to establish a baseline position, but some individual case studies are available. Wigan was also involved in piloting a North West model and will be included in the national pilot due to start in January.

Nationally there have been difficulties obtaining reliable information on outcome measures.

3.3.3 Information Regarding People Moving Into Services

Providers are all expected to complete an individual client record form when people move into the service which is sent to St Andrews University for analysis. Wigan Council then receives a spreadsheet showing this data on a quarterly basis.

The following information has been included in Appendix B

This information both informs our reviews of individual services and feeds into the wider strategic planning process.

4. Action Plan 2006/7

Key actions which have been identified for 2006/7 include the following:

5. Alternative Options Considered And Reason For The Recommended Option

Not applicable.

6. Conclusions

Progress has been made in completing the tasks in the annual plan, but significant focus had to be given to the immediate priorities of completion of service reviews and the achievement of efficiency savings. The latter has been particularly difficult given the relatively low level of Supporting People Grant available. Where planned tasks have not been fully actioned in 2005-06, the report highlights that progress has already been made in certain areas or there is a clear plan in place to deal with those not yet addressed.

Return to Agenda

Appendix A - DCLG Preliminary Conclusions From National Supporting People Strategy Consultation – Published July 2006

Delivering Effective Support and Provision

Going forward, we will:

A Focus on the Service User

Going forward, we:

A Focus on Achieving Outcomes

Going forward we

Funding

Going forward, we

Ensuring effective administration

Going forward, we

Supporting the Voluntary and Community Sector

Going forward we

Supporting People

Going forward, we

Return to Agenda

Appendix B - Performance Data and Client Record Data

1.0 Introduction

The following information is collated from quarterly performance returns sent to the Supporting People Team by Providers and the Client Record Forms which are sent to St Andrews University for all individuals moving into the service with the exception of sheltered housing services.

2.0 Performance Returns

a) Outcomes for service users leaving the service - floating support and long term services

The table below shows

Data

Floating Support

Long Term

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07 Q1

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07 Q1

Completed support programme

203

205

62

0

5

4

Moved to independent housing

150

78

1

39

16

12

Moved to sheltered housing

0

22

0

19

29

10

To long-term supported housing

1

47

1

5

13

2

Died

9

20

4

159

158

49

Committed suicide

0

0

0

0

0

1

Taken into custody

18

8

0

0

0

0

Moved to a long-stay hospital or hospice

5

8

3

1

0

0

Moved to an acute psychiatric hospital

0

1

1

0

0

0

Moved to a care home

0

0

0

19

13

1

Moved to a nursing care home

1

0

0

30

39

18

Moved to short-term supported housing

1

1

0

0

0

0

Evicted

4

4

0

0

0

0

Abandoned tenancy

12

12

0

0

1

0

Unknown / lost contact

115

64

5

24

28

8

b) Outcomes for service users leaving the service – short term services

The table below shows where people in short term services move to when they leave the service.

Data

Year 2004-05

Year 2005-06

Year 2006-07

Staying with friends

42

69

21

Staying with family members

60

54

7

Bed & breakfast

10

12

0

Supported housing

93

123

20

Sheltered housing

3

1

0

Moved into a care home

2

3

2

Owner occupier

1

0

0

Renting privately owned accommodation

26

29

7

RSL tenancy (general needs)

24

35

8

Local authority tenancy (general needs)

152

137

37

Returned to previous home

38

83

11

Entered hospital (not for long term care)

5

1

3

Committed suicide

0

0

0

Taken into custody

7

14

2

Sleeping rough

2

1

0

Entered a long stay hospital or hospice

3

1

0

Entered an acute psychiatric hospital

2

2

0

Sum of Not known

108

40

4

c) Utilisation levels

The following table shows the level of occupancy for all services. The figures indicate that in general there is a high level of occupancy across all services

Client Group

Accommodation based

Floating support

2004/5

2005/6

2004/5

2005/6

Frail Elderly

93.9

97.2

N/A

N/A

Homeless Families

92.3

95.8

107.5

94.3

Offenders

88.2

94.2

100.0

98.5

Older People with support needs

97.4

96.9

100.0

99.0

People with Learning Disabilities

91.6

92.2

33.3

99.7

People with Mental Health Problems

115.4

109.5

102.9

108.5

People with Physical/ Sensory Disabilities

78.2

90.4

N/A

N/A

Single Homeless People

92.6

92.8

N/A

N/A

Teenage Parents

94.5

96.9

106.2

109.2

Women at risk of domestic violence

92.5

89.4

100.0

100.0

Young People Leaving Care

100.0

100.

N/A

N/A

Young People at Risk

92.8

96.1

100.00

102.8

3.0 Client Record Data

What are the needs of people accessing services?

The client record form allows the Provider to select one primary client group and up to 3 secondary client groups for each service user.

Count of Client Group Primary

Primary Client Group

Secondary Client Group

Primary Client Group

Secondary Client Group

Primary Client Group

Secondary Client Group

Client Group Primary

03/04

03/04

04/05

04/05

05/06

05/06

Alcohol problems

22

64

25

50

23

66

Complex

 

33

 

29

 

20

Drug problems

47

79

32

80

39

104

Generic

68

 

53

 

21

 

Homeless families with support

47

 

53

124

 

55

173

 

38

Learning Disability

37

18

40

15

46

28

MDOs

0

2

1

0

4

1

Mental Health

120

43

104

40

87

57

Offenders

66

29

70

36

98

63

Older People

52

2

31

16

32

14

Older People Mental Health

6

 

4

3

 

3

6

 

1

People with HIV/AIDS

 

0

 

1

 

0

Physical Disability

29

26

29

24

33

29

Refugees

8

0

4

2

6

2

Rough sleepers

31

35

9

26

25

33

Single homeless with support needs

191

 

106

162

 

119

221

 

139

Teenage Parents

27

7

40

7

22

4

Traveller

0

0

1

1

1

0

Women at risk of DV

153

11

209

16

147

16

Young people at risk

91

95

174

55

106

82

Young people leaving care

12

8

10

11

9

11

Older People Frail Elderly

1

26

10

24

0

17

None

 

2383

 

2783

 

2572

Grand Total

1008

 

1131

 

1099

 

b) Where did service users live prior to receiving support?

The following table provides information about where people lived prior to receiving support.

Previous Accommodation

03/04

04/05

05/06

General needs local authority Tenant

214

210

203

General needs RSL/HA

31

36

38

Private rented

59

106

77

Owner occupier

43

55

58

Supported housing

112

100

86

Direct Access hostel

42

45

53

Residential care home

8

5

8

Hospital

39

28

20

Prison

27

27

39

Approved probation hostel

6

5

9

Children's home/foster care

2

7

1

B&B

20

27

68

Short life housing

5

1

2

Living with family

214

276

237

Staying with friends

78

89

95

Any other temporary accommodation

28

36

24

Rough sleeping

52

43

53

Other

20

28

28

Tied home or renting with job

0

6

0

Sheltered housing or retirement housing

4

0

0

None

4

1

0

Grand Total

1008

1131

1099

c) How are service users being referred to services?

Source of Ref

03/04

04/05

05/06

Community Mental Health Team

53

32

33

Voluntary Agency

55

70

53

LA Housing Dept referral

216

157

235

Moving from another RSL

26

12

9

Other

69

60

63

Social Services

90

100

101

Self Referral/Direct Application

212

400

356

Nom by Local Housing Authority

118

157

107

Internal Transfer

48

59

72

YOT

13

13

4

Probation Service/Prison

77

52

53

Health Service/GP

22

10

7

Police

9

9

6

Grand Total

1008

1131

1099

Return to Agenda

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