Appendix 1

Executive Member - Social Care

25 February 2005

Grants to Voluntary Organisations, 2005-06

Eligibility criteria for grants

The Social Services Department will consider voluntary organisations eligible for grant aid where the following conditions are fulfilled.

1. The service is within the statutory responsibilities of the Social Services Department.

2. The service complies with the objectives, priorities and policies of the Social Services Department.

3. All other likely sources of funding have been investigated and, where possible, secured.

4. The proposal is presented in the standardised form required by the Social Services Department.

5. The organisation has a clear management structure within its constitution and accountability built into its business plan.

6. Any service which is grant aided will be subject to appropriate quality assurance and review procedures as agreed with the Social Services Department.

7. An annual independently audited or examined statement of accounts and, where required, a report on the use of funding during the previous financial year will be presented before full payment is made.

8. The organisation shall (a) have a policy of equal opportunity in both staff recruitment and service delivery (b) comply with the provisions of the Data Protection Act, 1998, Disability Discrimination Act, 1995, Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974 and Race Relations Act, 1976 and (c) have in place insurance arrangements in respect of staff, volunteers, users and third parties.

9. Grants will not be made in support of services which are provided by an organisation under contract to the Department

10. Organisations will not normally be eligible for grants where they hold balances in excess of one year's running costs. Those organisations receiving recurring funding which hold in excess of three months' running costs may receive a reduced grant.

Appendix 2

Executive Member - Social Care

25 February 2005

Grants to Voluntary Organisations, 2005-06

Allocation of grants above £5,000 to voluntary organisations in 2005-06

Appendix 3

Executive Member for Social Care

25 February 2005

Grants to Voluntary Organisations 2005-06

Summary of services provided by voluntary organisations

Please note the paragraph numbers correspond to the numbering of proposed grants in Appendix 2 and the cash figures identify the amount of grant recommended for approval.

1 Older People

1.1 Club Hampshire - £106,000

Club Hampshire provides clubs for older or disabled people and also serves as an umbrella organisation for these clubs. The clubs are run on a voluntary basis and provide a variety of activities for their members, which are flexible enough to meet individual needs, enable people to exercise choices, maintain their independence, feel fulfilled and to improve their quality of life. 48 clubs across the County are provided, which are attended by approximately 1,200 people. The clubs' volunteers receive training, like training in health and safety and elder abuse. The grant offers excellent value for money and meets the Older People objective of helping older people to remain at home. The organisation currently develops a database which will provide more robust monitoring information. Club Hampshire has received a grant of £5,000 from the Council's Policy and Resources Fund in 2004-05 to recover its set-up costs, which improved further the organisation's financial stability. It is recommended that a three year grant agreement with £106,000 as base grant be approved.

1.2 Age Concern Hampshire, Information and Advice - £92,880

Age Concern Hampshire promotes the welfare of older people in Hampshire. The recurring grant Age Concern Hampshire receives now contributes towards the costs of the organisation's information and advice service based in Winchester, which fits with the Commissioning Strategy Action Plan. The information and advice service has achieved the Community Legal Services quality mark for general help. The service receive over 5,000 calls a year, with enquiries ranging from benefits and adaptations to the home to activities in retirement and funeral arrangements. The grant is covered by a three year grant agreement from April 2004 to March 2007 and is monitored through quarterly statistical reports, financial statements, a yearly meeting and an annual report.

1.3 Age Concern Hampshire, Community Services in Basingstoke and Deane - £25,000

At the beginning of this year, Age Concern Basingstoke and Deane merged with Age Concern Hampshire. In the course of discussions regarding the merger, it was decided that grant funding from the Department, which previously went towards core costs, should be used against the requirements of a particular service. Age Concern currently runs five activity centres for older people at various locations in the Basingstoke area, some on a half day, some on a full day basis. The centres provide social and leisure activities to older people who would otherwise have difficulty in accessing such opportunities. They are run by volunteers and are well-established and thriving. The centres provide a preventative service and contribute to the well-being and healthy living agendas. They will assist in the retention of independence and maintenance of quality of life. The total cost of running the activity centres is approximately £45,000 per annum. The total cost equates to a cost of £6.50 per half day session; the grant contribution would equate to a cost of £3.60 per half day session. This is a cost effective way of providing this sort of service. It is therefore recommended that a grant of £25,000 be approved.

1.4 Age Concern Cowplain, Millennium Project - £25,000

Age Concern Cowplain own the only Age Concern Centre between Cowplain, Waterlooville and Leigh Park. The services promote health and well-being, independence, self esteem and widen opportunities for social interaction. The grant would be used to extend the building, without which the organisation will be unable to expand its services. The extension will also enable them to offer the new purpose designed premises to Social Services for the provision of Day Care. Affordable and appropriate premises in this key area are not otherwise available. The organisation has received an assured grant of £100,000 (less than they applied for) from the Big Lottery Fund for the same purpose. Although the Department would not normally give a capital grant, the grant is essential to the overall partnership funding required and would assist in attracting further funds to address the shortfall due to the Lottery's reduced offer. The expanded services and provision of Day Care would support the Departments' aims of preventing the need for residential care and promoting independence. It is therefore recommended that a grant of £25,000 be approved on the condition that the organisation uses the money to raise further funds for the extension.

1.5 Age Concern Romsey and District - £8,500

Age Concern Romsey and District maintains a hall with full facilities which is dedicated primarily for use by older people, both through activities and events organised by Age Concern and by other organisations and charities in Romsey working with older people. The hall is also an information and signposting centre for older people. Between 350 and 500 older people benefit from the activities run by Age Concern Romsey. The Department works well locally with the organisation, which is a useful partner in helping achieve the objective of supporting elderly people in their own homes. Both the Primary Care Trust and Social Services have contracts with Age Concern and these arrangements prove to be very effective and very well received by local people. The grant, which is a contribution towards the costs of the Service Development Officer and Hall Administrator, provides excellent value for money. The organisation's latest accounts prove that the former high levels of reserves have gone down. It is therefore recommended that a grant of £8,500 be approved.

1.6 Age Concern Winchester - £11,000

Age Concern Winchester aims to promote the welfare of older people and to improve the quality of their lives by offering services that give practical help, advice and regular care and mental stimulation. 250 older people benefit from these services and about 74 carers. The Department sees the organisation as a voluntary sector partner who provides important preventative services and advice and advocacy for older people helping people to maintain their independence and stay at home. Some of the organisation's service are funded through contract arrangements. The grant contributes towards the cost of the salaries of the chief officer and the lunch clubs co-ordinator and also supports the running costs of the organisation's office. The free reserves the organisation held previously have been reduced. It is recommended that a three year grant agreement with £11,000 as base grant be approved.

1.7 Winchester Live at Home Scheme - £12,000

The aim of the Winchester Live at Home Scheme is to improve support and services for frail older people through a range of activities and social contacts. The initial project was a Befriending Scheme, which provides one to one volunteers who visit people in their homes. Due to difficulties in recruiting enough volunteers to meet the demand, a Friendship Club was established to provide a service to those waiting for the Befriending Service. These services enhance the users self-confidence, independence and general well-being and, in general, their quality of life and supports the objective of helping older people to stay at home. 29 older people benefit from these services. The Befriending Service is unique in that it helps people who cannot leave home or do not wish to socialise in bigger Day Care type facilities. The Department has worked closer with the organisation to discuss opportunities to extend the original Befriending Scheme and to work on the focus of the Friendship Club. It is recommended that a three year grant agreement with £12,000 as base grant be approved.

2 Physical Disability

2.1 Hampshire Centre for Independent Living - £7,500

Hampshire Centre for Independent Living (HCIL) uses the experience of disabled people to promote and support independent living through the use of direct payments. HCIL seeks to ensure that the users' perspective is part of the development of services. The organisation chaired six direct payment user group meetings and was key speaker at the Hampshire Housing Matters Conference held in December 2004. The Department and other disability organisations look to HCIL for advice, guidance, support and critical input. The organisation is a valued contact and consulted on a number of issues by officers. It is recommended that a three year grant agreement with £7,500 as base grant be approved.

2.2 Havant and District Socially Independent Disabled - £6,290

Havant and District Socially Independent Disabled (HADSID) are a craft based group of 22 members who meet three times a week. The organisation is run by its users; the Secretary also prints a newsletter for the members. The craft helps members with coordination and concentration while the meetings allow the house bound members to socialise. The organisation provides social support for a range of disabled adults and older people which does allow some independence from the formality of Social Services. The grant will be used for rent and transport costs. It is very good value for money, equating to a unit cost of just £1.90 per day. It is recommended that a grant of £6,290 be approved.

2.3 Huntington's Disease Association - £8,188

The Huntington's Disease Association exists to support people affected by Huntington's disease, a neurological disorder that causes progressive mental deterioration and severe physical incapacity. The grant contributes proportionally to the Regional Care Adviser for Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire. Up to 149 people in Hampshire who suffer from the disease benefit from this service as well as up 157 carers. The service also promotes excellent joint working for a wide group of multi-disciplinary professionals and assists with care planning, organising and running training sessions for professional staff, rest and nursing homes, and schools. It provides educational study days and family days, the next of which will be in Andover in June 2005. The work of the organisation is wholly consistent with the corporate and departmental strategies, is valuable and flexible and the grant provides extremely good value for money. The Regional Care Advisor is a skilled former nurse who offers outstanding advice and support. It is recommended that a three year grant agreement with £8,188 as base grant be approved.

2.4 New Forest Disability Information Service - £5,300

The Information Service aims to empower people with disabilities in the New Forest by giving them information and advice, thus enabling them to make informed choices and lead active lives in their community. In the year 2003-04, a total of 2170 users contacted the Information Service. In 2004-05, this number had been surpassed by January 2005. Additionally, the service has secured over £206,000 in benefit awards over the past year alone. The work of the organisation is wholly consistent with corporate and departmental strategies and follows all departmental objectives closely. The Information Service is an effective and highly valued user led resource. The grant offers excellent value for money and is valued by professionals, users and carers. It is recommended that a grant of £5,300 be approved.

3 Learning Disability

The following organisations all offer advocacy service to people with learning disabilities in the County of Hampshire. An advocate sees things from the point of view of the service user and can help those around to understand the service user's perspective. Advocacy helps people with learning disabilities to gain self confidence and enhances their self-esteem, enabling them to make informed choices and to have a greater say in decisions that affect their lives. It can help them to have the services to which they are entitled, take a greater part in everyday activities and thus encourages greater social inclusion.

The Social Services Department, following the development of an Advocacy Strategy (May 2005), is currently working with Hampshire Advocacy Reference Group (H.A.R.G.), which is hosted by Choices Advocacy, to develop a core contract that will be used for all the advocacy services in the County. This contract will focus on supporting core functions of the services to enable them to further develop their independent funding streams. However, in the meantime, it is proposed to grant-aid the organisations concerned in 2005-06.

In addition the Department is working with H.A.R.G. and its constituent members - which consists of the majority of advocacy service providers in the County and includes all grant applicants - to develop a `common' set of service standards which enable effective service monitoring without compromising the essential independent role and nature of an advocacy service.

3.1 Community Partners - £40,000

Community Partners offers advocacy service in North East Hampshire. Their services include one to one professional advocacy, volunteer advocacy partnerships and self advocacy. Up to 62 people benefit from these services. The organisation has requested an increased grant for 2005-06 in order to maintain newly developed self advocacy groups which were previously funded from an external source. It is therefore recommended that a grant of £40,000 be approved.

3.2 East Hampshire Advocacy Scheme - £12,500

The East Hampshire Advocacy Scheme provides one to one citizen advocacy, facilitates and supports self advocacy groups and works in partnership with statutory and voluntary groups. 124 people benefit from these services. It is recommended that a grant of £12,500 be approved.

3.3 Eastleigh Advocacy Project - £12,000

The Eastleigh Advocacy Project runs a self-advocacy group for people living in the Borough of Eastleigh. 33 people benefit from this service; eight people with learning disabilities sit on the Project's management committee. It is recommended that a grant of £12,000 be approved.

3.4 Speakeasy Advocacy - £31,000

Speakeasy Advocacy provides advocacy for children, young people and adults in Basingstoke. It offers volunteer one to one advocacy and runs three self advocacy groups. It also develops and delivers specialist accredited training courses to volunteers, self advocates and other organisations. 60 people and their 20 carers benefit from this service. It is recommended that a grant of £31,000 be approved.

3.5 Test Valley Community Services, Andover Advocacy Alliance - £19,000

Andover Advocacy Alliance provides independent advocacy to vulnerable adults in Andover and North West Hampshire with volunteer advocates. They hope to establish a self advocacy group in the course of the year. A total of 205 people benefit from the service with 60 of them with learning disabilities. The service has requested a substantially increased grant this year due to the ending of previous exterior development funding. The increase is in order to maintain the full time service that has been developed. It is recommended that a grant of £19,000 be approved. The organisation has also applied for a small grant for its advocacy service to people with Mental Health problems.

4 Mental Health

4.1 Cherry Tree Nursery, Supported Work Opportunity Project - £8,174

The Cherry Tree Nursery provides sheltered work rehabilitation in a supportive environment for over 100 adults with severe and enduring mental illness in a large plant nursery. The services includes training opportunities relevant for possible future employment. The services improve the self-esteem of its users (the volunteers), enable them to regain or take up their place in the community, and to develop work, social and communication skills. The organisation also undertakes research into various issues related with mental health and volunteering with the latest research into the benefits of having no upper age limit for volunteers attending the Nursery. The Department refers people living in the Ringwood / Fordingbridge area to the service, since no other day or employment services are available in that area. Currently, twelve people from the County of Hampshire benefit from the service. The Department receives consistent high positive feedback about the service, which offers value for money and fits well with the commitments to social inclusion and the Mental Health Employment Strategy. It is therefore recommended that a three year grant agreement with £8,174 as base grant be approved.

4.2 The Trinity Centre - £15,671

The Trinity Centre in Winchester offers information, advice, counselling and healthcare services and recreational facilities to persons disadvantaged by homelessness, unemployment, illness, addiction, poverty or other social deprivation. Many of Trinity's users are highly marginalised and vulnerable. The Centre represents to many a hot meal, a place to wash and rest, safety from abuse and violence, an opportunity to address healthcare needs, a place where they are treated with respect and which gives them a sense of worth and belonging. The Centre receives over 7,500 visits each year; 60% of the visitors have substance misuse problems. The grant contributes to the salaries of the project and advice workers for the core drop-in service. The grant provides value for money. The organisations applied for a grant of £25,000; due to budgetary restraints, however, it is recommended that a grant of £15,971, last year's amount with inflationary uplift, be approved.

5 Children's Services

5.1 Hampshire Family Mediation - £7,273

Hampshire Family Mediation has offered family mediation services across a number of centres in Hampshire for almost 20 years. The stated objectives are "to alleviate hardship and distress caused by the break up of marriage and family". There has been steady growth in demand and this is evidenced by increases in intake interviews and mediation starts involving some 800 children. Additional expenditure is required in 2005-06 to update equipment, improving premises and training at least one new mediator. The Department values the preventative nature of the services. The organisation applied for a grant of £10,000, however due to budgetary restraints, it is recommended that a grant of £7,273, last year's amount plus inflationary uplift, be approved.

5.2 Off The Record - £13,411

Off The Record provides a confidential free counselling service, information and support from Leigh Park, Havant, to areas in the south east with a high resident population of young people, including some of the most deprived areas. On-going support is provided to young people facing more complex problems and specific support is given to vulnerable young people. About 2,000 young people aged 11 to 25 benefit from these services. The organisations offers preventative services which offer value for money. Negotiations to fund specific services via contract agreements are ongoing but have not come to a conclusion. The organisation applied for £15,000, however due to budgetary restraints, it is recommended that a grant of £13,411, last year's amount with inflationary uplift, be approved.

5.3 Relate, The Hampshire Group, Relateen - £9,076

In previous years Children's Services have given a grant to the Hampshire Relate Group but in 2005-06 it is proposed to focus the funding on the Relateen Service. The Relateen service is for young people whose parents are separating or with step family issues and is part of the work of Relate in Aldershot, Basingstoke and Winchester. The service helps to increase the self-esteem and confidence of its users, and improves communication within the family. About 200 young people benefit from the service. Relateen is now a significant part of the work of the three Hampshire Relate centres and this additional interaction with young people though the Relateen service is valued. The organisation applied for a grant of £15,000, however, due to budgetary restraints, it is recommended that a grant of £9,076, last year's amount with inflationary uplift, be approved.

6 Other services

6.1 Eastleigh Citizens Advice Bureau, G.P. Outreach - £5,145

Eastleigh CAB provides an Outreach service at the Blackthorn surgery, Netley, which covers much of the southern parishes of Eastleigh. Most of the people seen are older persons plus a number of carers. Good evidence exists about the effectiveness of this service in maximising people's incomes via the take up of benefits; more than half of the enquiries are of this nature. Approximately 250 people benefit from this service. Social Services has identified the area as being poorly served, therefore the service is well targeted. It helps its users in maintaining their independence and maximises the Department's income where clients are in receive of its services. The service is very good value for money and also currently receives funding from the Primary Care Trust. It is therefore recommended that a grant of £5,145 be approved.

6.2 Hampshire Voluntary Care Groups Advisory Service - £48,500

The Hampshire Voluntary Care Groups Advisory Service supports 103 voluntary care groups across Hampshire that provide a range of support to enable people to live independent lives. The Service provides development work both in terms of establishing new groups and working with existing groups and arranges insurance, provides grants, and negotiates for and on behalf of the groups. In 2003 the 103 care groups through its 3,500 volunteers delivered 92,500 tasks. The grant is very good value for money and supports the objective to enable more older people to remain at home through its support to care groups. The grant is monitored through statistical information and quarterly meetings. An upcoming special meeting with all funders, the Department and the Primary Care Trusts, will put future funding on a secure basis. It is recommended that a three year grant agreement with £48,500 as base grant be approved.

6.3 ROCC (Resettlement of Offenders Coordinating Committee) - £25,750

ROCC aims to improve the efficiency of the administration of charities in the County of Hampshire in direct pursuit of their objectives by the provision of advice, management support, training facilities and services. ROCC is specialised in housing and related support services, but works across the spectrum of not-for-profit social need organisations. Discussions with the organisations have identified the need for a Supported Housing Forum to improve the mechanism for provider input or consultation. In light of the critical part ROCC can play, outcomes for the 2005-06 grant have been redefined: ROCC will use the grant to improve communication and understanding between provider organisations and the Department to deliver better provision to service users in Hampshire. ROCC will begin facilitating and administering a Supported Housing Forum which will be aimed at the Social Services' Programme. This will involve quarterly forums in many of the Boroughs in Hampshire and a County Forum. It is recommended that a grant of £25,750 be approved.

Appendix 4

Executive Member for Social Care

25 February 2005

Grants to Voluntary Organisations 2005-06

Applications for grants above £5,000 which have been withdrawn from the Social Services' grants process

1 Volunteer Bureaux

1.1 Due to the Best Value Review of the County Council's support to the voluntary sector, it was decided to transfer the funding to Policy and Resources as part of the funding arrangements for councils of voluntary services. The main reason for the proposal was that volunteer bureaux refer people to all organisations and not just those associated with Social Services. Such a move will also allow improved assessment of these services in terms of benefit to the County Council as a whole. An amount of £64,848, last year's total of grant funding to volunteer bureaux, plus inflation will be vired from the Social Services' grant budget to the Policy and Resources fund.

2 Rape and Sexual Abuse Services

2.1 In previous years, with the exception of the Winchester-based service (which has been a contracted service for several years), grants were given to Hampshire-based organisations that helped people who had suffered rape and sexual abuse. In 2004-5, small grants were made to the three services based in Southampton, Basingstoke and Portsmouth. Plans are in place to develop contracts with these three organisations.

3 Children's Services

3.1 Basingstoke Voluntary Services, Face Us Project - £55,000. The Face Us Project supports families who have a deaf child or deaf parents through general support, information, sign language / communication workshops, and offer opportunities for volunteering. The Project also give induction for social workers. They are a unique service, since they focus specifically on the whole family. The Department values such a service and is investigating contract arrangements. The Department might, however, consider a small grant for specific services like single sign language workshops.

3.2 Parentline Plus - £62,295. Parentline Plus offers help and information on parenting issues to parents and carers through a national 24h helpline, groups, workshops, one to one support services. They also give training to professionals working with families. The Department values such a service and is investigating contract arrangements. The Department might, however, consider a small grant for a specific service.

4 deafPLUS South

4.1 In previous years, deafPLUS South received a grant of about £8,500 for core costs while the organisation's Mobile Advisory Service was purchased under contract agreement. The contract is now being renegotiated in line with supporting the sensory early intervention service. In light of this renegotiation and the fact that the static information centre in Aldershot is likely to be subsumed in the Mobile Advisory Service, the organisation will receive funding via contract arrangements. Last year's grant of £8,615 will be vired to the contract budget. A contract will be in place from April 2005 onwards.