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NEWS AND POLICY UPDATE:

Autumn 2007

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

HOUSING

  • HOUSING GREEN PAPER: HOMES FOR THE FUTURE
    Within weeks of the new Government administration taking over and Gordon Brown’s announcement that 3 million more homes would be built by 2020, this Housing Green Paper was published. The paper focuses on increasing the supply of homes, particularly affordable homes to buy or rent, and to raise design standards so that properties are greener and more sustainable. Continuing the decent homes programme is mentioned, but only in relation to social rented stock.

    There is a short section on housing for an ageing population (p.59) which states that older people will make up 48% of all new growth in households up to 2024. It notes the need for new housing and infrastructures to be accessible and mentions the role of Lifetime Homes (see below). However, the rest of the paper predominantly refers to the housing needs of families and younger people. Comments can be submitted up to 15th October 2007. www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/homesforfuture

  • FUTURE OF DISABLED FACILITIES GRANT – CONSULTATION RESPONSES SUMMARY PUBLISHED
    This document takes each of the proposals put forward in the DFG review, reports on the main comments from respondents and provides the Government's interim views. Final decisions on future systems and funding will be announced after the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review is known later in the Autumn. The report definitively states that the DFG grant limit will not be increased during 07-08. It also notes a strong level of support for the introduction of a ‘Rapid Response’ type of initiative for the delivery of adaptations that reduce accidents/ speed up hospital discharge. www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/doc/disabled-facilities

  • HOME INFORMATION PACKS NOW APPLY TO THREE BEDROOM HOMES
    From 10th September all three bed properties coming onto the market will have to have a HIP. http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/buyingselling/homeinformation/

  • NEW HOUSING AND PLANNING DELIVERY GRANT (HPDG) INTRODUCED
    Local housing authorities that are helping to meet the Government's target of building 240,000 new homes per year by identifying sites and speeding up new provision are being invited to bid for a share of this new £500m fund. www.communities.gov.uk/news/planningandbuilding/473673

  • GREATER POWERS TO PROSECUTE FOR FLOUTING BUILDING REGULATIONS
    Proposals have been published which would give local authorities greater powers to prosecute those who breach building regulations. The time limit for enforcement after building work completion would increase from six months to two years. The main focus is on fuel and power regulations, where change could be implemented as early as this year. Deadline: 23rd October 2007. www.communities.gov.uk/documents/corporate/pdf/breachesofBuildingRegulations

  • AUDIT COMMISSION HOUSING INSPECTIONS – CHANGES
    The Audit Commission has changed the questions (‘Key Lines of Enquiry’ or KLOEs) being considered by inspectors, and also the descriptions of what inspectors are looking for from housing organisations, when assessing whether they are offering a 'fair' or 'excellent' service. For the KLOEs for private sector housing see:
    www.audit-commission.gov.uk/kloe/downloads/0707_privatesectorhousingJuly07.pdf

  • INFORMATION ABOUT APPLICATION OF THE HOUSING HEALTH AND SAFETY RATING SCHEME
    In answer to a Parliamentary Question, the Secretary of State for Housing has said that information about the operation of the HHSRS will be published early in 2008. It will include figures for dwellings with Category One (Cat 1) hazards, the estimated cost of removing Cat 1 hazards in private sector dwellings and the number of private sector dwellings made free of Cat 1 hazards or demolished as a direct result of action by the local authority during 2006-07.

    The English House Condition Survey will provide a national estimate of Cat 1 hazards for its 2006 findings (publ 2008), including estimates of the number of Cat 1 hazards in each type of housing stock.

  • HELP THE AGED HIGHLIGHT NEED FOR PRACTICAL HOUSING HELP
    Reporting on the outcome of a MORI pole of older people, Help the Aged has highlighted the finding that a key issue for older people is managing everyday activities such as bathing, using the stairs and tending the garden. Nearly a quarter of older people (22%) reported finding it increasingly difficult to get around their own home. The charity has called for an expansion of services such as Handyperson schemes to meet the growing need for practical help. http://press.helptheaged.org.uk:80/_press/_report.htm

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE NEWS

  • NEW HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE STRUCTURES: IDENTIFYING OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOUSING LINK
    It can be challenging for a housing person to keep up with changes and reorganization in the health and social care sectors. This new briefing from the Housing LIN provides a useful summary of the policies that have driven change in the NHS and Social Services, identifying their new structures and priorities. It includes a helpful diagram showing how the parts of the NHS fit together, explains the key terms that are now being used by the sectors and identifies some of the ways that housing might contribute to achieving NHS and social care objectives. www.icn.csip.org.uk/_library/Resources/Housing
    /Support_materials/Briefings/Briefing13.pdf

  • MEDICAL ASSESSMENT AT A DISTANCE: EFFECTIVENESS QUESTIONED
    Following on from a court of appeal case, concerns are being raised about the use by local authorities of call centre medical advisors, who do not meet patients, to inform decisions on housing needs such as disabled facilities grants. A growing number of local authorities are using companies such as NowMedical to assess cases. society.guardian.co.uk/communities/story/0,,2157587,00.html

  • REDUCING THE RISK OF DEMENTIA IN LATER LIFE: CAMPAIGN TO RAISE AWARENESS
    As part of their campaign to increase understanding of ways to reduce the risk of developing dementia, the Alzheimers Society has produced a new information sheet, ‘Mind your head’. www.alzheimers.org.uk/Mind_your_head/index.htm

  • DISABLED LIVING FOUNDATION (DLF) WEBSITE AND INFORMATION UPDATED
    DLF have launched their website www.bathingmadeeasy.com offering impartial information about bathing and personal care products. Their well designed main site www.dlf.org.uk clearly sets out routes to information for individuals, professionals and businesses – the range of Factsheets eg. finding funds, is particularly useful.

  • NEW DEALS FOR CARERS
    The Department of Health is leading the development of a National Carers Strategy. An interactive public consultation includes a web-based ‘Ideas Tree’ where carers and members of the public can post their ideas for future change and comment on the views of others. www.newdealforcarers.org The Department of Health has also published new guidance covering the additional £25 million allocated for emergency cover for carers (available to local authorities from October 2007). www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/
    Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_076717

  • PREVENTING ABUSE OF OLDER PEOPLE: NEW PROPOSALS
    Reports about the scale of abuse of older people have had a high profile recently and there are concerns that direct payments and individual budgets could expose more older people to such abuse. The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services has published proposals to increase protection of vulnerable adults, including giving social workers greater powers to enter domestic property. For services supporting older people to live in their own homes this will be a growing issue. www.tinyurl.com/2j6uy4

  • TREND TOWARDS LIMITING SOCIAL CARE HELP TO THOSE WITH CRITICAL NEEDS CONTINUES
    With the number of local authorities rationing social care help only to those whose needs are assessed as critical or essential, achievement of national objectives to shift resources into preventative services is being called into question. The Local Government Association is the latest body to raise the issue, asserting that if a substantial funding increase for adult social care is not agreed as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review the situation will get worse. www.lga.gov.uk

  • PROVE THE VALUE OF YOUR SERVICES, URGES AUDIT COMMISSION
    In their new report 'Hearts and Minds: Commissioning from the Voluntary Sector' the Audit Commission calls for third sector organisations to provide better evidence of their services' worth. The report examines the extent of the voluntary sector's delivery of public services and the current state of commissioning. www.audit-commission.gov.uk/reports/NATIONAL-REPORT.asp?CategoryID=&ProdID=418C38AF-0D97-49dd-95D6-EE7E7BA43773&fromREPORTSANDDATA=NATIONAL-REPORT

MONEY

  • UK PENSIONERS ARE £59M IN DEBT
    One in five retired homeowners are still making mortgage repayments, with an average debt of £38,000, A report published by the pensions provider Scottish Widows claims that one in eight owe more than £50,000 on a mortgage, while the average unsecured debt among pensioners is £5,900. One in 12 of those questioned also reported having financially dependent offspring, almost two-thirds of whom were aged 18 and over, 16% aged over 35 years. www.scottishwidows.co.uk

  • SAVING AND PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT: NEW REPORT LOOKS AT ASSETS AND DEBT
    The International Longevity Centre have published ‘Asset Accumulation across the Life Course’ which looks at how people save and plan for the future across their lifespan. Two of the findings highlighted are that less people were contributing to a private pension in 2005 than in 1995 and retirement saving is shifting towards property and away from pensions. www.ilcuk.org.uk

  • DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH’S SOCIAL ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT FUND: APPLICATIONS INVITED
    The aim of the fund is to ‘stimulate and encourage the development of a vibrant social enterprise sector in the delivery of health and social care services’. It will provide funding and longer term investment for existing social enterprises, or for organisations that are aiming to become social enterprises, and which are delivering one or more health/ social care services. Submission deadline: 31st October. www.governmentfunding.org.uk/VCSSearch.aspx?WCI=htmSchemeView&WCU=DSCODE=DSCLIVEGF,SCHEMEID=12-S105,SEARCH=DS=DSCLIVEGF

  • LATEST ON BIG LOTTERY
    The £30m Community Assets Fund was launched on 4th September 2007. Grants are available to pay for the refurbishment and transfer of buildings from local authorities into the third sector.

    The Reaching Communities programme is continuing, but to help to reduce oversubscription (current success rate c.20%) updated guidance notes are expected. Through changes to the outline proposal form there should be a higher rate of first stage rejection. It has been reported that strong evidence of need and meaningful community involvement have been areas of weakness in bids. www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

  • DIRECTORY OF SOCIAL CHANGE PUBLISH NEW EDITION OF COMPLETE FUNDRAISING HANDBOOK
    The 5th edition has been updated with new material on income generation and contracts, the national lottery, government funding, company giving and the European Union. It covers fundraising principles, strategies, and techniques plus sources of funding with illustrated case studies. £22.95 +VAT. http://www.dsc.org.uk/acatalog/copy_of_General.html#a215

  • BENEVOLENT FUNDS WHICH HELP INDIVIDUAL OLDER PEOPLE
    A few which have been brought to our attention recently:
    • The Forestry Commission Benevolent Fund provides financial assistance to current and former members of staff or their dependents. Contact Fiona Alexander, 0131 314 6439
    • Unilever retired employees can access special offer insurance packages on home, cars & travel. They have a dedicated, independent staff team to advise. Tel: 0207 822 5557
    • Elizabeth Finn Care (formerly Distressed Gentlefolk’s Aid Association) have updated their website. They offer grants and other assistance. www.elizabethfinncare.org.uk

NEWS

  • UNDERSTANDING ‘OUTCOMES’: AN EASY TO READ FREE BOOKLET
    The Charities Evaluation Service’s freely downloadable booklet ‘Your project and its outcomes’ explains what outcomes are, how to identify them, how to assess what outcomes a service is achieving and making best use the information collected. www.ces-vol.org.uk/index.cfm?pg=165

  • FREE TRAINING: GETTING A FAIR DEAL FROM CONTRACTS
    The Directory of Social Change is offering free places on this two day course (29/ 30 October, and 15 /16 November in 2007 in London) to the staff of voluntary organisations with a turnover of under £500,000. It aims to provide practical training in negotiating fairer contracts with statutory bodies whilst maintaining organisational vision and core values. Limited spaces available. www.dsc.org.uk/charityevents/pdfs/getting_a_fair_deal2.pdf

  • ASSESSING THE VALUE OF SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
    With Government’s interest in, and high expectations of, social enterprise, it is timely to consider how the reality of such developments might be assessed. A report has been produced for the Cabinet Office, 'Assessing the Economic and Social Impact of Social Enterprise', which looks at the main options for developing a suitable methodology for identifying and analysing the impact of social enterprises. www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/news/news_stories/070615_university_hull.asp

  • FREE MANAGEMENT HELP FROM THE CRANFIELD TRUST
    The Cranfield Trust operate a management consultancy project service for voluntary organisations through 640 skilled volunteers from the commercial sector. See www.cranfieldtrust.org or contact Iain Ferguson 01794 830338. They also offer scholarships on the MBA Programme at the Cranfield School of Management www.cranfieldmba.info

  • DIGITAL TV SWITCHOVER: WEBSITE SETS OUT WHO WILL GET HELP
    With the switchover from analogue to digital TV broadcasting starting in 2008, an estimated 7 million households are eligible for special practical and financial help. This website sets out who can get what assistance and how to access this. The ‘Help Scheme’ will provide practical support to enable people select, install and use digital TV equipment. For some households this will be free, for others a subsidised charge of £40 will apply. See: http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/en/how/help-scheme.html#what-help-is-on-offer?

    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 an Industrial and Provident Society with Charitable Status Reg 25121

    Previous Newsletters
    • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Summer 2007 edition) can be viewed here

    • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Spring 2007 edition) can be viewed here

    • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Winter 2006 edition) can be viewed here.

    • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Autumn 2006 edition) can be viewed here.

    • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Summer 2006 edition) can be viewed here.

    • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Spring 2006 edition) can be viewed here.

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

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

    • 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.