Policy Information

For a summary of latest policy developments, see the latest edition of Care & Repair England's News and Policy Update. Select 'Newsletter' from the menu on the left.

For a short overview of policies related to older people, their housing, health and social care click here.

• SOCIAL CARE WHITE PAPER PUBLISHED
  The debate about the future funding of care for older people looks set to continue for some time yet. The White Paper was published on 30/3/10. It is still proposing creation of a national care service, and refers to introducing a compulsory levy to pay for care in later life, but details about how this would work are limited and it is proposed that another Commission be set up to look at the issue during the next parliament. www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/
  PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_114922
  During the debates about the Free Personal Care at Home Bill in the Lords a number of peers put forward amendments and made the case for recognition of the key role of housing and home adaptation in personal care and the need to consider how to integrate provision. www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200910/ldhansrd/text/100201-0007.htm
  [April 2010]

• BRIEFING ABOUT DISABLED FACILITIES GRANTS DEVELOPMENTS
  This Briefing provides an overview of the emerging issues affecting the provision of help with home adaptations, including Ombudsman Rulings, Parliamentary Debates, recent reports and forthcoming revised guidance. Click here to view a copy on pdf format.
  [April 2010]

• RADICAL CHANGES AHEAD FOR SOCIAL CARE - GREEN PAPER PUBLISHED
  Shaping the Future of Care Together sets out the governments ideas for a new ‘National Care Service’ that is ‘fair, simple and affordable for everyone, underpinned by national rights and entitlements’. This would include a nationally determined assessment of need and basic provision. The big issue is who pays. The Government has ruled out the options of either a fully tax funded system or one where the individual is totally responsible for their own provision. Three possible funding options are set out combining state, insurance and individual contributions. www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/
  PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_102338 Consultation deadline: 31 October 09.
  [July 2009]

• ‘BUILDING A SOCIETY FOR ALL AGES’ – NEW CROSS GOVERNMENT STRATEGY LAUNCHED
  This Strategy calls for a “major cultural shift, to build our vision of a society for all ages – where people are not defined by their age, and prejudice does not prevent us from fully harnessing the skills and experience of our older population” and sets action for all government departments. It calls for individuals to plan ahead for their older age sooner, with the role of the State being to encourage this. Specifics include a one-stop-shop, ‘Active at 60’ packages, health checks for people at 40 yrs and reviewing the default retirement age (ie. set age compulsory retirement) in 2010.
  With regard to housing and the need to build communities for all ages it notes that Lifetime Homes Standards will be compulsory for all social rented housing from 2011, but only mentions that the private sector will be ‘encouraged’ to adopt these. The deadline for responses to the Consultation on the proposals is the 12th October 09 www.hmg.gov.uk/media/33830/fullreport.pdf
  [July 2009]

• Government Review of Health and Social Care System
  The Government is undertaking a major review of the care and support system. Initial discussion papers make limited mention about the role of suitable housing and housing related support. To contribute your views to the debate log on to the website at www.careandsupport.direct.gov.uk The Government intends to publish a Green Paper in early 2009.
  [October 2008]

• Comprehensive Spending Review 2008-11 and new National Performance Indicators
  The Government has set out its policy priorities and spending plans for 2008-11, setting 30 new Public Service Agreements, details available here http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/pbr_csr/pbr_csr07_index.cfm
  The Government has also set out a set of 198 National Indicators to measure local performance of local authorities and a range of other bodies. details available here http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/nationalindicator
  Care & Repair England has produced a Briefing explaining how these relate to housing provision, particularly with regard to existing stock repair and adaptation.Download, in pdf format, here.
  [December 2007]

• English House Conditions Survey 2005 Annual Report Published
  The full Annual Report with the detailed results of the 2005 Survey is now available. http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1510679
  [June 2007]

• Better outcomes, lower costs:
  Implications for health and social care budgets of investment in housing adaptations, improvements and equipment: a review of the evidence
  The Office for Disability Issues has published this useful analysis of the current evidence base. Link to freely downloadable report and Executive Summary: http://www.officefordisability.gov.uk
  [May 2007]

• Future of Adult Care
  The Kings Fund has published the report by Sir Derek Wanless on the future of care for older people. Link to Freely downloadable report: Securing Good Social Care for Older People: Taking a long-term view
  [March 2006]

• English House Conditions Survey 2004 Headline Report Published
  The short summary report is now available with the detailed 2004 EHCS report due to be published in the summer. www.odpm.gov.uk/ehcs
  [March 2006]

• Social Exclusion Unit publish report on Excluded Older People
  ‘A Sure Start to Later Life is available on. www.socialexclusion.gov.uk/page.asp?id=573
  [January 2006]

• White Paper on Adult Health and Social Care
  Our Health, Our Care, Our Say: a new direction for community services has been published by the Department of Health.
  www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/OrganisationPolicy/
  Modernisation/OurHealthOurCareOurSay/fs/en
  [January 2006]

• Integration of Health and Social Care White Paper
  Department of Health have announced plans to publish a white paper on the integration of health and social care systems later this year. A consultation exercise called Your Health, Your Care, Your Say includes a website resource tool for organisations and groups running their own consultation activities. www.dh.gov.uk/NewsHome/YourHealthYourCareYourSay/
  fs/en
  [September 2005]

• Housing Health And Safety Rating System
  The Housing Health and Safety Ratings System is due to be introduced in November 05. This is one of the most radical changes to the assessment of the state of the housing stock for decades, replacing the old 'fitness standard' . For details about the system: www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_housing/documents/
  divisionhomepage/039012.hcsp
  [September 2005]

• Briefing Papers on Housing for An Ageing Population
  HOPDEV, the government's advisory committee on housing and older people, has produced a set of briefing papers, supporting information and a presentation on the issue of housing for an ageing population. Whilst aimed primarily at Regional Housing Boards, those with a policy interest in this field will find them of general interest and practical use. Click here
  [March 2005]

• Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) ‘Link-Age’ Plans
  Integrating access to all services for older people was piloted by DH under Care Direct and was then taken on by DWP as the Third Age Service. More detailed proposals for what is now called Link-Age have been published (consultation deadline 26/11/04). See consultation report via www.dwp.gov.uk
  Whilst welcoming many aspects of Link-Age, a number of organisations have expressed some concerns about the focus shifting to financial information and related services and the lack of reference to housing advice and information. See the Care & Repair England response to the consultation here.
  [November 2004]

• Decent Homes Standard
  At the end of February 2004 the ODPM published revised guidance for implementation of the Decent Homes Standard. The guidance can be viewed on the OPDM website.
  Care & Repair England's briefing on the Decent Homes Standard can be downloaded, in pdf format, here.
  [February 2004]

• Access and Systems Capacity Grant 2004-5
  In February 2004 the Department of Health published the Local Authority Circular setting out details and amounts of ASCG. The Circular can be viewed on the DH website.
  [February 2004]