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NEWS AND POLICY UPDATE:

Autumn 05

Information for the providers and commissioners of housing related services for older and disabled people

HOUSING

  • HOUSING POLICY - AN OVERVIEW PUBLISHED BY THE TREASURY AND ODPM
    This joint policy document on housing was published alongside proposals for significant changes to the planning system. The focus is very much on building new housing, extending home ownership and meeting the needs of younger people. Disappointingly, there is no reference to the ageing of the population and the housing consequences of these demographic changes. www.hm-treasury.gov.uk

  • REGIONAL HOUSING INVESTMENTS ANNOUNCED
    The allocations to Regional Housing Pots for 2006-7 and 2007-8 have been published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM). More money is set to be spent on low cost homeownership schemes and social rented housing to reduce homelessness. In 2006-7 £354m is earmarked for bringing the social rented stock up to a decent standard, leaving approximately £416m for other expenditure (mainly for private sector decent homes and neighbourhood renewal). www.odpm.gov.uk

  • MORE MONEY FOR DISABLED FACILITIES GRANTS
    Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) expenditure by ODPM will rise from £103.3m in 2005-6 to £121m in both 06-07 and 07-08. This represents a £17.7m (17%) increase, following a more modest 2.1% rise in 05-06. An announcement about the review of DFGs is expected before Christmas. www.odpm.gov.uk

  • NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR SUPPORTING PEOPLE
    The ODPM will be producing a national strategy to direct the Supporting People programme in April 2006. An outline of their future plans is on the www.spkweb.org.uk as is a letter to Commissioning Bodies. However, it seems possible that the controversial redistribution formula (which would have resulted in dramatic cuts in some areas) may be delayed or shelved.

  • SAFER AND STRONGER COMMUNITIES FUND GUIDANCE
    Guidance on the implementation of the Neighbourhood Element of the Safer, Stronger Communities Fund has been published by the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit. Each of 100 local authority areas is set to receive tapered funding over 4 years starting in 2006-7 amounting to £1.6m for each identified priority disadvantaged neighbourhood. Details: www.neighbourhood.gov.uk/publications.asp?did=1528

  • HOUSING HEALTH AND SAFETY RATING SYSTEM
    As the November deadline for the HHSRS introduction approaches, there are some question marks about the readiness of local authorities to implement. For details about the system: www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_housing/documents/
    divisionhomepage/039012.hcsp

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE NEWS

  • 'HEALTH TRAINERS' FUNDED TO HELP TACKLE HEALTH INEQUALITIES
    Research by Department of Health (DH) - "Tackling Health Inequalities: Status Report on the Programme for Action' - has revealed that whilst there has been some progress in reducing health inequalities, the gap between average life expectancy and infant mortality rates amongst the poorest and the rest of the population has widened. The government has announced £200,000 funding for each of the 12 most disadvantaged areas to employ 'health trainers', an initiative due to extend to the rest of England in 2007. www.dh.gov.uk

  • GUIDANCE FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES ON DEVELOPMENT OF TELECARE
    Aimed at the commissioners of telecare services, this guidance sets out the purpose of the Prevention Technology Grant (£30m in 06-07 and £50m in 07-08 allocated to Social Services) and expectations for the use of the grant. 'Building Telecare in England' describes the grant's main aim as 'to help an additional 160,000 older people live at home with safety and security and reduce the number of avoidable admissions to residential/ nursing care and hospital'. Social services are expected to work with partners across housing, voluntary/independent sectors, users and carers, www.dh.gov.uk. A more detailed 'Telecare Implementation Guide' is available from www.icesdoh.org/telecare.

  • JOINT WHITE PAPER ON INTEGRATED HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE CONSULTATION BEGINS
    A 'public engagement process' is underway that will help to shape the DH white paper on the integration of health and social care systems due out later this year. Called Your Health, Your Care, Your Say the consultation includes a website resource tool for organisations and groups running their own consultation activities. www.dh.gov.uk/NewsHome/YourHealthYourCareYourSay/fs/en

  • NEW DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WEBSITE COVERING OLDER PEOPLE'S SERVICES
    This covers the range of initiatives being developed in the field of health and social care for older people. www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAndSocialCareTopics/OlderPeoplesServices

  • PRIMARY CARE TRUST REORGANISATION
    Following the announcement by DH to reorganise PCTs in order to unify council and PCT boundaries (reducing the current 303 PCTs to c150), some concerns have been expressed about the disruption that this may cause to current partnerships. Strategic health authorities are drawing up plans for reorganisation, due to be submitted to DH in October 05.

  • INDEPENDENT MENTAL CAPACITY ADVOCATE SERVICE ANNOUNCED
    DH has committed £6.5 million to develop the new role of independent advocates to support vulnerable people who lack capacity to make their own decisions. People will be helped to make difficult decisions such as medical treatment choices or changes to accommodation. It is aimed specifically at those people who do not have relatives or friends to speak for them. Current consultation runs until the end of September 05 with full implementation due from April 07.

  • COMMUNITY MATRON COMPETENCIES SET
    The appointment of community matrons, whose role is to support patients with long term conditions, is progressing around the country. The core 50 competencies of CMs have been announced. Unfortunately, the words housing or environment do not appear in the list, but one competency (CMC4) is 'support individuals to live at home' and specifies working with individuals to access support and resources. www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/view_framework.php?id=91

MONEY

  • BIG LOTTERY FUNDING
    The Big Lottery Fund has released information on their new programmes in England for 2006-9. In this period the Fund will give out more than £2.3 billion. Most of these new programmes will be launched between Autumn 05 and Spring 06. One of the 5 new programmes is Voluntary and Community Sector Infrastructure. A new leaflet on the programmes can be downloaded from www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/assets/new_programmes.pdf

  • FINANCIAL CAPABILITY INNOVATION FUND
    A new fund to help community and voluntary organisations set up projects that help people with their money has been set up by the Financial Services Authority. With current emphasis on encouraging older people to use the equity in their homes, this may be helpful to organisations involved in informing people about equity release. www.fsa.gov.uk/financial_capability

  • THE ELIZABETH FINN TRUST
    Formerly know as the Distressed Gentlefolk's Aid Association, this Trust aims to help people who have fallen into poverty through no fault of their own, perhaps through illness, disability or infirmity. They make one off payments or in some cases regular weekly assistance. www.elizabethfinntrust.org.uk

  • COMIC RELIEF FUNDING WINDOW
    With the deadline just gone for the first cycle of funding applications to Comic Relief, the next window of opportunity opens, with a deadline of 13th January 2006. Older people are one of five project areas, with a particular focus on promoting older people's advocacy and campaigning. www.comicrelief.com

  • WINTER FUEL PAYMENTS 2005
    People who received a Winter Fuel Payment in previous years, or will be receiving a State Pension or social security benefit during the qualifying week of September 19-25th, 2005, should receive their payment automatically without the need to make a claim. However, people over 60 who have not received a Winter Fuel Payment before, or will not be receiving a State Pension or social security benefit in the qualifying week need to make a claim. Details in the Winter Fuel Booklet available on www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/winterfuel/home.asp

  • ATTITUDES TO INHERITANCE IN BRITAIN - REPORT FROM JOSEPH ROWNTREE FOUNDATION
    One of the main conclusions of this research is that "most older people are willing to use their assets for themselves, rationally using some of their lifetime assets to meet needs in later life". People over 80 are the least likely to prioritise their own needs over a bequest. A quarter of current or former owner occupiers have accessed housing equity, but few have taken up Equity Release Schemes as they find current provision complex, risky and difficult to understand. www.jrf.org.uk under 'Findings'

  • HOME OFFICE GIVES GO AHEAD TO PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT HUB
    The Performance Improvement Hub is one of six national hubs, all of which are funded by the Home Office as part of ChangeUp. Amongst the services on offer are free information, learning opportunities, training and resource materials. The other hubs cover: governance, workforce development, information and communications technology, funding, and volunteering. The national hubs will be working closely with each other and with regional, sub-regional and local infrastructure. For more information see Interim website www.performance-improvement.org.uk.

NEWS

  • HOUSING ACROSS THE LIFECYCLE RESEARCH
    The influential Institute for Public Policy Research's (IPPR) Centre for Asset Based Welfare is currently undertaking research looking at Housing Across the Lifecycle. Topics included are moving home and use of equity. A summary of the project can be found at: www.ippr.org/uploadedFiles/research/projects/Centre_for_Asset-Based_Welfare/HALsummary.pdf

  • KINGS FUND REPORT HIGHLIGHTS CARE EXPECTATIONS OF THE NEXT GENERATION
    'Looking Forward to Care in Old Age' details the findings of research into the views of middle aged people about what they expect from care services when they are older. One very strong message was that they do not expect, or want, their children to look after them. Remaining in one's own home, supported by a range of services, including help with maintenance and housework, was a key aspiration. Two other housing related findings were the suggestion of a 'home for life' which met a person's changing circumstances and the importance of decent space standards in sheltered housing. www.kingsfund.org.uk/resources/publications/looking_forward.html

  • FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED
    This profile raising campaign attempts to raise awareness of all aspects of domestic fire safety. To order a free copy of the handbook and download information see: www.firekills.gov.uk

  • DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT 2005 - NEW POWERS COME INTO FORCE IN DECEMBER 05
    New disability rights will come into force from December this year. These will deliver and extend enforceable rights for disabled people. One of the clauses in the Act which will come into force is: "Ensure landlords cannot unreasonably withhold consent for a disability-related improvement to certain rented dwelling houses". A Department for Work and Pensions review group is also looking at the issue of common parts and adaptations and it is hoped that information/clarification about this clause will become available before December. See www.dwp.gov.uk, www.drc.org.uk

  • REVISED BUILDING REGULATIONS
    ODPM AND DEFRA have announced new building regulations to make buildings more energy efficient. The main changes are to Parts F and L (ventilation and fuel conservation). Part L will also make air pressure leakage testing of buildings mandatory The Government is also announcing a wide-ranging review to look at improving energy efficiency standards of existing buildings. In addition, from April 2006 all new residential development receiving government funding will need to meet a new national Code for Sustainable Buildings. The Code will go beyond Building Regulations covering not just fuel and power but also the efficient use of water. www.odpm.gov.uk

    This News and Policy Update is produced by Care & Repair England
    The Renewal Trust Business Centre, 3 Hawksworth Street, Nottingham, NG3 2EG
    Tel/ Fax: 0115 950 6500
    info@careandrepair-england.org.uk
    www.careandrepair-england.org.uk

    Every effort has been made to ensure the information above is correct. However, Care & Repair England cannot accept any responsibility for errors and omissions.

    Care & Repair England is supported by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
    Care & Repair England is an Industrial and Provident Society with Charitable Status Reg 25121

    Previous Newsletters
    • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Summer 2005 edition) can be viewed here.

    • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Spring 2005 edition) can be viewed here.

    • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Winter 2004/05 edition) can be viewed here.

    • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Autumn 2004 edition) can be viewed here.

    • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Summer 2004 edition) can be viewed here.

    • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Spring 2004 edition) can be viewed here.

    • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Winter 2003/04 edition) can be viewed here.

    • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Winter 2002/03 edition) can be viewed here.

    • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update briefing paper (Spring 2003 edition) can be viewed here.