To receive a presentation on the delivery of supported and specialist accommodation across Telford & Wrekin.
Minutes:
The Board received a verbal report on the challenge of getting greater specialist accommodation with the demographic change of people living longer. Work was taking place across the Council in relation to a whole range of vulnerable groups including adults and children’s services and homeless services.
Housing strategy objectives were to provide the best use of homes and sustainable and accessible housing for vulnerable residents. A specialist and supported housing strategy had been formally launched which looked at client routes, adapted general need and the increase on demand in order to keep people at home. This would ensure the right accommodation was delivered to bring the best results in relation to outcomes and costs.
Information had been gathered across a number of partners during the last 12-18 months considering the need for demand, coordinating and shaping the market long terms and to provide accommodation and data all in one place.
This had provided clarity and supported the Specialist Homes for All document which supported planning and building standards, location, design and site standards and it worked closely with landlords to increase accommodation put forward. This included NuPlace and the Council’s registered providers. It also provided accommodation and support for homeless and rough sleepers. Due to the large no of units provided by extra care facilities, the Council were on target with what the Borough required in relation to special and supported schemes and it provided a wider offer for older residents. It provided accessible and adapted accommodation with the support required and could provide highly adapted and bespoke living helping more vulnerable people.
The Council were working closely with adult social care converting buildings to supported living units with landscaped gardens meaning self-contained units were a better solution. This included an extra care dementia hub and two properties for rough sleepers giving wrap around care and support from a number of agencies.
The next steps were to work together to help coordinate collective needs and demands and use it to shape and drive the market, access funding and help bring forward the PIP fund as well as supported accommodation and housing for bariatric users. This would be explored further to meet demand. Other areas of work was to help support services for living independently and to help people stay at home for longer with disabled facilities grants and bespoke accommodation requirements.
A survey of older people’s accommodation was linked to the survey together with foster care accommodation and an increase in foster care placements. A shared strategy for health and social care was being developed with an understanding of the requirements across the Borough in order to repurpose or better use accommodation.
During the discussion it was suggested that the third party volunteer sector were keen to contribute. It was suggested that over 65s may want to downsize their accommodation but there is nothing suitable in the locality so have to move away and asked if something could be integrated into any new developments a provision for the older population.