What is "Supporting People"?
Introduction
The Supporting People programme is committed to providing a better quality of life for vulnerable people by enabling them to live more independently and manage their homes.
The main aims of the programme are:
- To maximise independent living
- To provide well planned, quality housing related support services
- Support that offers good value and complements existing care services
- Services based on local need
The programme provides housing related support through contracted services to:
- Help with managing your home
- Maximising your income and benefits entitlement
- Advice on reducing arrears and debts
- Accessing other services
- Prevent problems that can lead to a stay in Hospital, care or homelessness
- Help with moving to independent living for the first time
- Support to enable vulnerable people to remain in their homes
London Borough of Bexley Supporting People Team delivers the programme locally in partnership with Probation, Health, Voluntary sector organisations, Landlords and Housing Associations, support agencies and Service Users.
Statement of Commitment to Equality
London Borough of Bexley is committed to the principle of equality of opportunity for all in employment and service delivery. We take pride in our increasingly diverse community and all the cultural richness that it brings with it. This statement outlines our commitment to the Equality Standard for Local Government. It sets out our intention to create an environment in which everyone in Bexley can take full part in the social, cultural and economic wealth of the Borough. It also sets out our commitment to promote equality and diversity among our residents and staff. Read more here...
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Supporting People Client Groups
Supporting People services provide support vulnerable people including:
- Older people
- People with learning difficulties
- People with Mental Health problems or Dementia
- Homeless families and single people with support needs
- Young people at risk
- People with a physical or sensory disability
- People who have been homeless or a rough sleeper
- Ex-offenders and people at risk of offending and imprisonment
- People at risk of domestic violence
- People with alcohol and drug problems
- Teenage parents
- People with HIV and AIDS
- Travellers
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What Is Housing Related Support?
The main purpose of housing related support is to develop and sustain an individual's ability to live independently in their home.
Some examples of housing related support services include:
- Helping to maximise benefit entitlement
- Enabling the correct skills to manage a tenancy
- Advising on home improvements
- Accessing community services
- Community alarms
Services are provided in specialist supported and sheltered accommodation with on-site support. Other services provide regular planned visits to Service User's homes.
A needs assessment is carried out by the Service Provider to see where help is needed.
A Support Plan is then agreed between the Service User, any agreed representative and the Support provider. A copy of the Support Plan is given to the Service User and discussed at each support meeting.
Support plans are then reviewed on a regular basis. This will be at least once a year for longer-term Service Users and more regularly for short-term Service Users.
Long Term Services
Long-term services are provided on a continual basis and are often open-ended. Charges apply for people in long-term services who can afford to pay. This will be following an assessment by London Borough of Bexley's Financial Assessment Team. Those who are assessed as unable to pay are eligible to claim a full or partial Supporting People payment from the Council.
- Your Support provider will assist you with completing the Supporting People claim forms and Financial Assessment forms when you first start using the support service.
Short Term Services
Short term services are services that are provided for up to two years with the intention of helping a Service User move on to permanent independent living or increasing their ability to live independently.
- Short-term services are free to all services users.
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How Does Supporting People Work?
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) has the main responsibility for the Supporting People programme. It provides a Supporting People grant to London Borough of Bexley.
London Borough of Bexley contract with Housing Support providers who help you to manage your home and accessing other services in the Community.
The Commissioning Body is a partnership of local Housing, Social Services, Health and Probation. These services agree with the Council on what services are provided and play a key role in advising and approving the Supporting People strategic approach.
Below are some examples of how the Supporting People programme is helping vulnerable people:
Moving to own tenancy
Mr. A lived with his family because of his physical disability. Recently he was offered a flat by a local housing association. His support worker said, "I'll never forget the look of joy on his face when he got the keys in his hand after signing his tenancy." Mr. A gets a comprehensive package of support. Supporting People contributes to his total funding package and without this Mr. A would not be living in his own home; he would be either back at his family's home or in a registered care home.
Moving from an institution to own home
Mr. B has moved to supported living from a residential home for disabled people and those with learning disabilities and he thinks "it is the best thing on earth." He can do things that he wants to do, such as grocery shopping by bus with his girlfriend. He enjoys going shopping without staff and being able to select his own food. He said "I make my own meals, choosing what I want and when I want to eat. I do housework, use the washing machine, pay household bills, electric, gas, water and telephone. I have a total control of my personal money, which I think is brilliant."
Sheltered Accommodation
Ms. C lived in her own home in Bexley for many years. As she got older she became more isolated from her local community and got scared living on her own. She moved into Sheltered Accommodation and now is a member of a thriving older community with support from the scheme manager that helped her to move in, manage her rent, bills and income and get to know other residents. She is no longer isolated and has a wider group of friends and companions and has a Community Alarm to help with emergencies.
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What About The Future Of Supporting People?
Supporting People in Practice
The Supporting People programme is part of the everyday working of London Borough of Bexley. Officers within Bexley and it's partners have a wide range of skills, knowledge and experience. The Supporting People team calls on these resources to ensure that the programme links into the main strategies and is delivered effectively.
Partnership
Supporting People is a programme for local people, delivered through local partnerships. The sharing of knowledge and good practice is an important part of Supporting People. It encourages partnership working between everyone involved in the programme. Partnership working is very important to the way we deliver the services.
Bexley Supporting People Team will continue to consult widely with service providers and users in delivering and improving the programme.
How can I find out more about the Supporting People programme?
The Supporting People Team regularly attend Service User and other local Forums. If you attend a local forum and would like the Team to attend please mention it to the Chair of the forum who will be able to invite the Team to the agenda.
The Supporting People Team will be holding an annual Service User consultation day. For more details on this and other events please visit Forum & Events section.
To find out more about the Supporting People programme please contact the Bexley Supporting People Team.
If you would like more information on the service you receive please discuss this with your Support Worker or contact your Support Provider.
  
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