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NEWS AND POLICY UPDATE:

Spring 2006

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

HOUSING

  • THE ENGLISH HOUSE CONDITIONS SURVEY 2004 HEADLINE REPORT PUBLISHED
    There has been a further reduction in the proportion of non-decent homes. The rate of improvement continues to be greater in the social rented sector than amongst private sector households. The main reason for the reduction in non-decent homes is improvements in thermal comfort. There has also been a small reduction in the number of vulnerable private sector households living in non decent homes (figures not given for vulnerable social rented sector). The detailed 2004 EHCS report is due to be published in the summer. www.odpm.gov.uk/ehcs

    1996
    %    		1996
    number    		 2001
    %     		2001
    number     		2003
    %     		2003
    number     		2004
    %     		2004
    number
    Total non decent homes 45% 9.1m 33% 7.1m 31% 6.7m 29% 6.3m
    Non decent homes: all private sector43% 6.8m 32% 5.4m 30% 5.3m 29% 5.1m
    Non decent homes: social sector53% 2.3m 39% 1.7m 35% 1.4m 31% 1.2m

    Vulnerable households living in non decent homes 1996
    %    		1996
    number    		 2001
    %     		2001
    number     		2003
    %     		2003
    number     		2004
    %     		2004
    number
    – private sector 57% 1.4m 43% 1.15m 37% 1.1m 34% 1m
    - social sector 53% 1.6m 38% 1.1m n/k n/k n/k n/k

  • BUDGET – INDICATION OF A CHALLENGING TIME AHEAD FOR HOUSING?
    There was limited mention of housing (or health and social care) in the March Budget statement and little indication that either housing or older people will do well in the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR). New build and helping people to become home owners remains the main housing focus, and a Shared Equity Task Force is to be created. The Winter Fuel Payment has been retained but there is to be no repeat of last year’s payment to older people to help with council tax. A far reaching review of the role of the Third Sector in social and economic regeneration as part of the lead up to the CSR was announced. www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/budget

  • NEW OLDER PEOPLE’S HOUSING STRATEGY AND PILOT AREAS FOR LINK-AGE PLUS/ SURE START FOR OLDER PEOPLE
    In the final report of the Social Exclusion Unit on Excluded Older People (‘A Sure Start to Later Life’) the announcement that government is to produce a new Housing Strategy for an Ageing Population was announced. The report also suggests using the model of a single, accessible gateway to all services for older people – along the lines of the Sure Start for children idea. The pilot programme for Link- Age Plus will test out this approach. Housing advice, information and practical help, including the idea of ‘Super home improvement agencies’ and handyperson services, form part of the models put forward in the SEU report, therefore it is to be hoped that these elements are taken on by the pilots. www.socialexclusion.gov.uk/page.asp?id=573

  • THINK TANK FOCUS ON HOUSING EQUITY – REPORT TO TREASURY PLANNED
    IPPR, a leading Think Tank, has been developing ideas to put to Treasury regarding use of home equity. Seminar presentations and discussion papers on the topic 'Releasing Housing Wealth: Expanding Policy Options’ are on their website, at www.ippr.org/research/teams/event.asp?id=1883 and a report will be published shortly.

  • MINOR ADAPTATIONS WITHOUT DELAY
    The College of Occupational Therapists and the Housing Corporation have published a joint practical guide and technical specifications aimed at improving delivery of minor adaptations. The guide details a range of adaptations which can be installed without the necessity of an occupational therapy assessment visit. One of the models of good practice is the Gloucestershire FAST scheme, operated by home improvement agencies. www.cot.org.uk

  • CODE FOR SUSTAINABLE HOMES INTRODUCED
    The Government has announced the strengthening of the Code for Sustainable Homes, along with the introduction of new building regulations, setting mandatory standards that every new home must meet, particularly with regard to environmental factors eg. raising the energy efficiency of new buildings by 40 per cent. The Regulations will come into effect on 6 April. www.odpm.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1002882&PressNoticeID=2093

  • SURVEY OF ENGLISH HOUSING – NEW INFORMATION ABOUT DEPRIVED AREAS
    Part 4 of the Survey of English Housing which looks at households in deprived areas has been published. www.odpm.gov.uk/pub/427/HousinginEngland200304_id1164427.pdf

  • HOUSING OPTIONS ADVICE FOR OLDER PEOPLE – FREE SELF TRAINING KIT FROM HOPDEV
    HOPDEV – the Government’s Housing and Older People Development Group – have launched an updated self training kit for advisers. Can be freely downloaded at: http://hopdev.housingcare.org/

  • UK HOUSING REVIEW 2005-2006
    The 14th edition of the UK Housing Review by Steve Wilcox brings together the most up to date housing statistics available in the UK. Featuring over 200 charts and tables along with commentary on current trends, this edition also includes a look at current policy developments from leading analysts. £30.00 for CIH Members (£45.00 for non-Members) incl. p&p. Contact pubs@cih.org or 024 7685 1752, or download an order form at www.cih.org/publications/pub358.htm.

  • TRUSTMARK
    TrustMark, the government backed scheme aimed at helping consumers find reliable and trustworthy tradespeople, is stepping up its promotional activity and has published two new leaflets. The first is written for homeowners and explains what TrustMark is and how it can help them, the second is aimed at traders. TrustMark does not offer a telephone advice service and consumers requiring information are advised to search their website: www.trustmark.org.uk

  • GROWING NUMBERS OF HOUSEHOLDS – NEW PROJECTIONS
    The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has published new figures projecting household growth in England until 2026. The number of households in England is projected to increase from 20.9 million in 2003 to 25.7 million in 2026. Rising life expectancy and the growing number of single households are two of the contributing factors noted. www.odpm.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1002882&PressNoticeID=2099

  • HOUSING BENEFIT REFORM: DIRECT PAYMENTS AND HOUSING ALLOWANCE ON HOLD
    The Green Paper on welfare reform, A New Deal for Welfare, proposes a local housing allowance for private tenants but there are no plans at this stage to introduce an equivalent system for social rented housing tenants. The Government has held back plans to introduce direct payment of housing benefit to social rented housing tenants, and is now consulting on the best way to reform the system. www.dwp.gov.uk/aboutus/welfarereform

  • HOUSING WITH CARE FOR LATER LIFE: A LITERATURE REVIEW
    This Joseph Rowntree Foundation publication looks at the research evidence relating to housing with care for later life based on an extensive search for empirical research evidence published since 1999. www.jrf.org.uk/redirect.asp?url=findings/socialcare/0076

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE NEWS

  • KINGS FUND’S WANLESS REPORT ON FUTURE OF CARE FOR OLDER PEOPLE PUBLISHED
    Social care for older people in England will require sharp increases in funding over the next two decades just to meet the current level of care. Simply keeping pace with population changes– and not even seeking to improve care services or the way they are funded – would require total spending (public and private) on social care for older people to increase from the 2002 level of £10.1 billion (1.1 per cent of GDP) to £24.0 billion (1.5 per cent of GDP) by 2026.

    This is the main conclusion of the year long review of social care undertaken by Sir Derek Wanless for the Kings Fund. The review found serious shortcomings in social care provision and funding arrangements and proposes that everyone in need should be entitled to a certain level of free care, after which individuals’ contributions would be matched by the state up to a defined limit. The report says that the current system is too focused on a small number of older people with the most significant social care needs and is failing to help older people lead independent lives without the need for more expensive support. Freely downloadable report: Securing Good Social Care for Older People: Taking a long-term view.

  • MORE OLDER PEOPLE LIVING INDEPENDENTLY – LATEST GOVERNMENT FIGURES
    The Department of Health have published figures showing that the proportion of older people being supported in their homes rather than in a residential setting has risen by nearly a third over three years. www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/PressReleases/PressReleasesNotices/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4126183&chk=LlQ1Bo

  • PARTNERSHIPS FOR OLDER PEOPLE PROJECTS (POPP) – NEW BIDDING ROUND
    The criteria and application process for the second round of POPP funding has been announced. £18.5m has been made available for projects that “provide person centred and integrated responses for older people and encourage investment in approaches which promote health, wellbeing and independence for older people and thereby prevent or delay the need for higher intensity or institutionalised care”.

    There is a two stage application process (led by local authorities that have social services responsibilities) with 12th May deadline for expression of interest. Those who are invited to make a second stage bid will have to include an ‘economic appraisal’ to demonstrate cost benefits. Councils are required to develop the bids with older people and forge strong cross sector partnerships including primary care trust and voluntary sector organisations. Details; www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/Publications/
    PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/PublicationsPAmpGBrowsableDocument/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4131808&chk=1cMjPs

  • PREVENTATIVE TECHNOLOGY GRANT
    A new circular has been published by DH which sets out the arrangements for the Preventative Technology Grant for 2006-07 and 2007-08 (LAC (2006)5 Preventative technology grant 2006-07 to 2007-08) . The grant will be paid to councils with social services responsibilities as a specific formula grant with no conditions attached. It has been allocated using the relative share of older people's relative needs formulae (RNF). www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/LettersAndCirculars/LocalAuthorityCirculars/
    AllLocalAuthorityCirculars/LocalAuthorityCircularsArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4131935&chk=Oct/wk

    The CSIP Telecare Newsletter is available on www.changeagentteam.org.uk/_library/docs/Housing/Telecare/
    Telecare_news_january2006.doc

  • WHITE PAPER ON ADULT HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE HERALDS NEW ERA OF ‘PREVENTION’
    Our Health, Our Care, Our Say: a new direction for community services published by the Department of Health heralds radical reform for the sector. It emphasises the importance of shifting resources into prevention, joint health and social care commissioning and tackling inequalities, promising care at or closer to home. Unfortunately, there is little mention of the role of housing in this vision, although reform of disabled facilities grants is mentioned. www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/OrganisationPolicy/Modernisation/
    OurHealthOurCareOurSay/fs/en

  • IMPROVING HOME SAFETY LINKED TO REDUCED FALLS IN OLDER PEOPLE WITH POOR VISION
    A study published in the British Medical Journal concludes that home safety assessment and modification may reduce the number of falls and injuries in elderly people with poor vision. A group of older people (75yrs+) were allocated to one of four groups: a home safety programme, an exercise programme plus vitamin D supplementation, both these interventions, or social visits. The incidence of falls fell by 40% among those who received the home safety programme compared with those not receiving the home safety programme; the exercise programme failed to reduce the number of falls. http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/331/7520/0-c

  • HIP PROTECTORS FAIL TO REDUCE RISK OF HIP FRACTURE
    A study reported in the British Medical Journal found no reduction in hip fractures for elderly people living in institutional care who were provided with a hip protector. None of the studies of those living in their own home showed any benefit. BMJ 2006:332, 11 March, M J Parker http://bmjjournals.com

  • PUBLIC SERVICES FOR OLDER PEOPLE IMPROVING
    A report by Healthcare Commission, the Audit Commission and the Commission for Social Care Inspection, Living Well in Later Life, concludes that there has been significant improvement in a range of service areas, including support being offered to enable people to live at home independently. The report looks at progress being made on the National Service Framework for Older People. It identifies five key challenges for the next phase of the NSF; ensuring dignity in care, improving services for old age mental health needs, falls and medicines management, and improving partnership working. www.dh.gov.uk/NewsHome/NewsArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4132239&chk=15Daph

MONEY

  • THE BALANCE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION – NEW ROUND OF GRANTS
    The second round of the Balance Charitable Foundation grants programme is aimed at charities in the UK working with older people over 75 at risk of social exclusion. The programme criteria includes innovative solutions, including housing, which enable older people themselves to retain a quality of life, supportive approaches at the end-of-life which are valued by older people and their relatives, approaches to improving communication between carers, older people and local support services, the promotion of positive mental health and the provision of financial information and advice. Normal range of grants - £20,000 to £80,000 for up to three years. Closing date for applications 20 April 2006. www.balancefoundation.org.uk/grants/applications/index_html

  • THE TUDOR TRUST
    The Tudor Trust funds work by charitable organisations across the UK, particularly where there is significant deprivation in urban, rural and coastal areas. On 1 April 2006, the Trust launches new guidelines, and organisations do not have to have received a grant previously from the Trust to be eligible to make an application. The new guidelines will introduce a new two-stage application process. Further details are available from www.tudortrust.org.uk

  • LLOYDS TSB FOUNDATION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES – NEW FUNDING PRIORITIES
    The Foundation gives grants to charities that help people, especially those who are disadvantaged or disabled, to play a fuller role in their communities. It has announced two new priority areas: charities working with disadvantaged older people and/ or with people with a learning disability and which tackle isolation and enable these disadvantaged groups to have better access to services (including housing choices) and enable them to play a fuller role in their communities. www.lloydstsbfoundations.org.uk

  • INDEPENDENT AGE
    Independent Age is a national charity which helps older people living on low incomes to live with dignity and peace of mind. Help offered includes a small, regular extra income, grants for emergencies, help with equipment that aids independence, nursing and residential care and help with fees, support from a network of volunteers. Tel: 020 7605 4200 www.independentage.org.uk

  • THE FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE AID IN SICKNESS TRUST FUND
    This Trust is aimed primarily at ‘professional, secretarial or administrative qualifications or experienced persons who are sick, convalescent, disabled, handicapped or infirm’. The range of help available is wide ranging and whilst house alterations, adaptations, improvements or maintenance are specifically excluded, their guidance mentions grants for: Convalescent and respite care, medical and other aids, (e.g. riser/recliner chairs, electric beds, orthopaedic mattresses, hoists etc), and household aids (eg. washing machines for soiled clothing /bed linen, refrigerators for medication). www.fnaist.org.uk/

NEWS

  • 50 OVER 50: NATIONAL VISUAL ART COMPETITION FOR PEOPLE OVER 50
    Fifty artists will be selected to show their recent work in a high profile exhibition, with £5,000 awarded to an overall winner. Selection will focus on visual artworks that emphasise excellence, radicalism and innovation in the practice of older artists. Artworks must have been created since January 2004. For details of selection criteria and how to enter visit: www.50over50.org.uk or call 01273 726447 Deadline for entries: 28 April 2006.

  • INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY ‘HUB’ LAUNCHED
    The ICT Hub is a group of voluntary sector organisations who have come together to plan and deliver a co-ordinated framework of ICT guidance, good practice, advice and support for voluntary and community organisations, accessible at a local level. The Hub was funded by the Home Office in August 2005 with the aim "to improve voluntary and community sector ICT infrastructure so that voluntary and community organisations are enabled to achieve their missions more efficiently and effectively through the better use of ICT." It will publish Good Practice Information and operate a helpline.

    To receive regular information email your details to louise.brown@ncvo-vol.org.uk. For more details, including how to access some of the £140,000 fund for pilot projects, visit www.ictconsortium.org.uk

  • INFORMATION ABOUT ICT FOR ADVICE AND INFORMATION PROVIDERS
    The lasa website is designed for those providing advice and information services. You can find help here on information systems and getting the best out of your IT, welfare benefits (including training), and policy work in the UK advice sector. You will also find details on Advice and Information Management System software AIMS, multilingual advice website - www.multikulti.org.uk/ and www.lasa.org.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 an Industrial and Provident Society with Charitable Status Reg 25121

    Previous Newsletters
    • 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.