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Supporting People Services
Supporting People (SP) services
are the legacy of a government programme that funds housing-related support services to help
vulnerable people live
independently. Money continues to be available for such
services that include:
- homeless hostels;
- women's refuges; and
Housing-related support
Housing-related support aims to help vulnerable people find a
home, or stay at home, offering support in:
- managing debts, budgeting and applying for
benefits;
- gaining access to other services and organisations that
can provide support and help;
- learning life and social skills;
- finding out about work or college;
- keeping an eye on personal wellbeing;
- alarm systems to enable people to call for help in an
emergency;
- carrying out necessary repairs, maintenance work or
adapting their property;
- dealing with other professionals, family and neighbours
and advocating on behalf of people.
Housing-related support aims to prevent the problems that can
cause vulnerable people to become homeless, build up debts or rent
arrears, need hospital treatment or move into care, and to help
them to have a better quality of life; independent in their
community.
Housing-related support does not include:
- personal care, like washing and dressing;
- healthcare or medication;
- preparing meals, shopping or cooking on a regular
basis;
- cleaning;
- specialist counselling or treatment;
- childcare;
- outings or holidays;
- gardening.
Do I pay for housing-related support?
People who receive housing benefit do not have to pay for the
service. Long-term service users (those using services for more
than two years) who do not receive housing benefit can be assessed
by the Fairer Charging Team for full or partial relief from the
charge, depending on their circumstances. Most short-term service
users (provided for less than two years) are automatically exempt
from charges. Where this is not the case, a fairer charging
assessment will also apply.
Every service is reviewed on an annual basis. Service users and
other stakeholders are involved in the monitoring and review
process as much as possible. Providers send in information to
ensure that the service is needed, used, of high quality and offers
good value for money.
Complaints
If you are worried about a Supporting People service, we would
recommend that you talk to the provider first if you can and ask to
see a copy of their complaints procedure. If you are still not
satisfied then come and talk to us. Where necessary, we are able to
investigate complaints and work with users, providers and
stakeholders to make improvements.
The team does not have the power to investigate safeguarding
concerns itself, though we do record and ensure that they are
transferred to safeguarding teams for investigation. If you are
worried that a vulnerable adult is being subjected to abuse you
should follow the Kent and Medway Adult Protection Protocols
immediately. You can find the protocols at
www.kent.gov.uk/adult_social_services/.
Monitoring service quality
Every Supporting People service has a contract with Medway
Council to provide a housing-related service. To make sure that
services comply with that contract, the team’s Performance and
Compliance Officers visit and review the quality of the
service. This visit includes talking to people who currently use
the service to find out what it’s really like.
Support providers are encouraged and assisted to find ways to
improve the quality of their service for people who use them. Part
of that visit is to make sure that all Supporting People services
have complaints, safeguarding and Adult Protection procedures that
work if things go wrong.
Find out more
Find out more about the Communities and Local Government's
Supporting People programme at www.spkweb.org.uk.
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