Supported housing residents
We own and/or manage around 212 units in Devon, Dorset and Somerset which provides accommodation for people who need support. There are a variety of arrangements in place in terms of the ownership, management, support provision and contracts held on these units. For instance, we own some of the buildings used for supported housing; other buildings are leased. We have Supporting People contracts for some of our supported housing schemes; in other cases, the service is managed by other support providers who hold Supporting People contracts for the services.
Our supported housing
MHA has a variety of supported accommodation ranging from bedsits with shared facilities to self contained flats. We also own properties which provide accommodation and training opportunities for young people.
The level of support offered to residents ranges from 24 hours, 7 days a week support to just a few hours of support a week.
Some schemes offer permanent homes for residents with long term special needs. Other schemes are designed to provide short term accommodation and help is provided to the resident to move into more independent accommodation. In other cases, support is provided to people living in their own home (owned by MHA) on a floating support basis.
Residents’ needs are assessed independently. We are committed to providing the service that is needed and adapting it as individual circumstances change.
Support is provided by either our own staff or by another approved support provider. Where support is provided by another support provider there is a service level agreement or similar contract in place which is monitored.
Applications for supported housing
Our supported housing is let following referrals from local councils and other agencies such as Social Services or young people’s advice services. Each scheme has its own referral criteria.
Our performance
Voids and allocations: in 2010/11 there were 38 lettings in supported housing. The average re-let time was 17 days, against a target of 23 days.
Rent arrears: in March 2011, our supported housing rent arrears were £28,000, representing 2.2% of the total rental income. Our target was 3.8%.
Supporting People
Accreditation
MHA is an accredited service provider with both Devon and Dorset Supporting People (SP) administering authorities. Accreditation means that we have satisfied the relevant local authority that we can provide a good quality SP service, based on evidence of our competency, capability and financial viability. This is largely assessed via a toolkit called the Quality Assessment Framework, set out by SP administering authorities. This is updated and reviewed by MHA staff and the SP authority.
Administration
The administering authorities are the local authorities that receive money from the government to pay for housing related support services and administer contracts for SP services on behalf of the local Commissioning Group.
The Commissioning Group is made up of representatives from all partners involved in SP, such as district councils, health and probation services. This group looks at the existing supply of supported housing and identifies areas where a new service is needed.
Every quarter, we are required to provide a workbook of information to the administering authorities for each service area. These provide key performance information on aspects of the service such as service availability and utilisation; throughput of users and length of stay; staff hours; capacity and so on.
We are required by the SP authorities that we contract with to provide information relating to the outcome of residents’ housing-related support in each service. This captures the actual outcome achieved for the user (resident) where they have an identified support need.
For short term services, the outcome of each resident’s support is reported at the time they leave the service. Generally, for long term services, a 10% sample of residents is used and outcomes data is based on the support received during the financial year. Until 31 March 2011, there was a national framework in place for this. However, this is currently being reviewed by authorities in line with best practice.
Supporting People contracts
We have eight supporting people contracts; two with Dorset, and six with Devon.
Sheltered and supported housing strategy
Our sheltered and supported housing strategy was approved by MHA Board in November 2008. The strategy was updated and reviewed in January 2011.
A significant priority for 2011/12 is to develop a joint strategy with Magna West Somerset.
Service standards
New service standards for supported housing have been drafted and will be available shortly.
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