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Statistical Bulletin: HSG/2005/2: People
assisted through Supporting People funding: 2003-04
3. Background
Supporting People is a new integrated policy and funding
framework for housing support services introduced from
April 2003. The aim is to provide good quality services
focused on the needs of users, to enable vulnerable people
to live independently in the community, in all types of
accommodation and tenure.
Housing support services have grown up over a number of
years, often in a fairly ad-hoc way in response to the
needs of individuals or of the tenants of a particular
landlord. The Supporting People programme aims to put these
services on a secure legal footing, with a systematic and
strategic process to assess needs and supply of support
services in local areas and make provision accordingly.
Previously, housing support services were funded from a
number of sources, including Housing Benefit (the
Transitional Housing Benefit Scheme), Special Needs
Allowance Package (SNAP) and Resettlement Grant. On 1 April
2003, these resources were transferred to local
authorities, who are now responsible for the new
arrangements. Local authorities and their partners,
including health agencies, service providers and service
user groups, will assess the overall levels of need in
their area and commission appropriate services to meet
those needs, funding them on a contract basis. Strategic
planning for Supporting People is linked to the Local
Housing Strategy and other local plans for community care,
health improvement, social inclusion etc. Services will
also, for the first time, be subject to quality monitoring,
through registration by the Scottish Commission for the
Regulation of Care, and contract compliance procedures.
Further information can be found on the Supporting
People website:
www.scotland.gov.uk/housing/supportingpeople/new.asp
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