Agenda item

Purpose:

Whilst the Supporting People (SP) programme is predominately focused on adults, a significant number of younger people (16-25) are also supported. For consideration are:

1.    The proposal to extend Supporting People contracts for a year from 1 April 2019 whilst whatever future funding arrangements Welsh Government makes are implemented.

2.    Whether sufficient positive action is being taken in consideration of this protected characteristic (young age) through the age-specific services.

Recommendations:

1.    To approve the proposal to extend contracts due for renewal on 1 April 2019 for a year whilst the implications of Welsh Government’s decisions on future funding, to be made later in this financial year, are worked through and implemented.

2.    To agree that the positive action in terms of funding and people supported reflects the Authority’s objectives sufficiently.

Key Issues:

Current Programme

SP is a service providing housing-based to support to people in Monmouthshire. The purpose of the support is to help vulnerable people to either live independently or to achieve the greatest degree of independence that their personal challenges will allow, with a significant focus on the prevention of homelessness.

In 2017, the services supported 2,550 people and contributed to the costs of circa 2,000 community based alarms (as in sheltered housing).

Monmouthshire’s SP funding is £2.039m per annum, approximately 10% of the Gwent provision of £21m. Our service funding is approximately broken down into 14% accommodation based services (e.g. refuge, hostels and alarms), 10% Gateway assessment, intervention and brokerage service and 76% floating support.

The SP programme comprises 33 contracts and/or service level agreements with 12 providers. These contracts are due for renewal and/or extension on 1 April 2019, with the exception of 3 small contracts with a total value of circa £70k. Of these contracts, 3 are regional contracts managed by other Authorities on behalf of MCC and 2 are regional managed by MCC on behalf

of other Gwent Authorities. SP outcomes are measured across a range of 11 outcomes, each of which can be assessed as relevant to the individual and assessed and recorded on a 5 step model. On average, over a year individuals make 5 positive steps of progress or the equivalent of achieving one outcome to full independence. The average cost of achieving this progress is circa £1,500, or £300 per positive step. The £1,500 is equivalent to 1.54 hours of weekly support. Welsh Government feedback confirms this to be a value for money provision, with at least two examples of best practice – the Gateway intervention, assessment and brokerage service and the place-based service delivery model.

SP provides support across the full range of outcomes, however, incidence of support relating to mental health demonstrates the complex nature of the vulnerabilities supported (44% of service users achieve positive progress in this area). Of the support issues that are traditionally considered housing support issues, 36% of service users achieve positive progress in respect

of managing their money, 34% in respect of managing their accommodation and 30% in feeling safer.

In terms of basic demographics, 12.8% of those supported are “Younger” (<25yrs), 36.4% are “Older” (>55 yrs.), 47% (between 25 and 55yrs) and 3.8% not recorded. 58.2% are women, 41.3% are men and 0.5% not recorded.

The age specific services for younger people, including the hostels, the CHYPS and Emphasis programmes, Young Person’s accommodation officer and the Youth Transition worker and account for £280,000 of the £2.04m SPPG funding i.e. 13.7%.

Thus the effective positive action in respect of this client group is +32% based on population (16-24 yr olds are 9.7% of Monmouthshire population) and +41% based on the funding allocation.

Member Scrutiny

The Lead Commissioner Quality Assurance & Supporting People Lead, provided a presentation, and the Chief Officer, Social Care, Safeguarding and Health provided an overview. Members were invited to ask questions as follows:

·         Adolescent Mental Health: The Chair queried how to make the best use of resources working in partnership with the Health Board.  It was explained that the relationship with the Health Board is strong.  Recently an Adult Service Manager has been working across Children’s Services, and recently a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) worker has been based in Children Services: a great addition linked to supporting people and an opportunity to join these services.

·         Grants criteria: A Member asked for clarification of outcomes, information about alarms and expressed the view that grants should be based on need not separated for adults or young person.   In view of the reduction in grants to over 55s, it was queried if there were other grants available to support this age group. 

The move to a generic worker to cover all aspects of support was welcomed.  It was advised that the outcomes covered areas such as feeling safe at home and in the community, having appropriate accommodation, ability to manage money, maintaining physical and mental health, providing help for employment and training and tackling loneliness.  Help to maintain mental health and the impact on accommodation are identified as the main areas of support.

In terms of alarm calls, 92% have no connection with housing support and there is no need for a support worker to attend, consequently many providers have withdrawn. The view was expressed that there are better ways to support a young person.

It was confirmed that services are moving forward based more on need and that are often provided in accommodation and refuges.  If specific support is required a referral is made to floating support providers.  There is a move away from funding specific groups to more generic support based on need.   

·         Accommodation: A Member asked if some young people are unwilling to accept support from family members and also support to target those young people at risk of suicide.  It was responded that, with partners in the housing team, mediation is being provided for 9 or 10 young people between them and their family. There is also a separate mediation service funded by Welsh Government. There is no specific aspect in this programme in relation to suicide as it is not a housing issue, but services would be provided by Health.  Select Committee Members were reminded that supporting people is about housing related support. Loneliness is covered by a social inclusion worker for young and elderly people.

·         Funding: A Select Committee Member questioned why Monmouthshire receives only 10% of the Gwent funding. It was responded that there is a funding allocation formula that has been challenged under the Equalities Act and Welsh Government has been asked to reconsider. Monmouthshire appears affluent in comparison with other areas in the region and total support needs aren’t well represented.  Monmouthshire has a higher amount of older people but not single older people and this is having a fundamental impact on funding allocation.  It was reported that the Public Accounts Committee and Wales Audit Office have been asked to relook at the formula.

·         Extension of contracts:  It was commented that this should not cause progress to be slowed down and reassurance was sought on this point. The proposal to use one-stop support workers was commended. With regard to extension to contracts, the move to a one stop support worker will be in incremental steps.  All services to young people are being reviewed to combine posts and alter some roles next year to work better together.

·         Measures: A Member questioned if there was a significant difference in cohorts between 2012 and 2018.  It was responded that the number of people being supported by the programme is constant with approximately 1200 being supported with an additional community alarms for approximately 1800 people.