Archived decisions

REPORT OF THE

EXECUTIVE MEMBER

SOCIAL CARE

PART II

SUPPORTED HOUSING COMMISSIONING PLAN

1 The Supported Housing Commissioning Plan, a copy of which is available in the Members' Room, sets out a way forward for each client group to enable vulnerable people to increase their independence and take fuller control over their daily lives through working with the District Councils to:

· Increasing the supply of "built or adapted for purpose" housing suitable for elderly people, young people and people with disabilities and mental health problems.

· Making it easier for Social Services Department service users to access the housing they need, including general needs social housing.

· Improving the quality of housing for vulnerable people.

· Ensuring that housing is adapted quickly in response to changing needs.

· Ensuring that people have the support and care that they need to maintain their housing.

· Ensuring that people do not have to go into hospital, residential care or nursing care unnecessarily due to housing-related reasons and ensuring that housing is not a reason for delayed discharge or prolonged placements in residential or nursing care.

2 One of the key priorities of the County Council is to provide better care and support for older people. In supporting this the commissioning plan concentrates on the development of "extra-care" housing for this client group.

3 Extra-care is promoted by the Department of Health as a valuable way of promoting independence and high quality care for older people. It is part of a spectrum of housing, support and care provision that ranges from low-level sheltered housing and home care to high level nursing care. It is not a stand-alone solution but it is envisaged that people living in extra-care, whose needs increase, are likely to be able to stay in their own homes for the rest of their lives.

4 Extra-care is similar to sheltered housing, in that people who live within the schemes have their own tenancies; it differs from sheltered housing regarding the quality of the building and the level of support and care that can be provided. All extra-care housing must be fully adaptable and must be built to decent home standards. Everyone has their own flat with their own bedroom, toilet, kitchen and a separate bedroom and living room. Care is provided on a 24-hour basis with flexibility to increase as a person's needs increase.

5 Gosport is currently the only district in Hampshire that does not have any extra-care provision and it is proposed that a bid be made to the Department of Health for capital funding to develop a scheme in Gosport with both the County Council and Gosport Borough Council making a capital donation to improve the chances of success for the bid.

6 The Executive Member was pleased to approve the Supported Housing commissioning Plan and capital expenditure of £140,000 for Extra-care housing in Gosport.

7 This supports Aim 1 of the Corporate Strategy.

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