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A MASSIVE CHANGE
Supporting refugees

Ian Chisholm and Helen Fordyce of SRC

Sheelan, from Iraq, arrived in Glasgow five years ago through the asylum dispersal programme. She lives in a two-bedroom flat with her children aged 8, 7 and 4. Although it was originally NASS accommodation, the flat was re-designated as temporary homeless accommodation. Sheelan got refugee status in May 2005 and has remained in the flat, receiving support from the Scottish Refugee Council, and housing support from Loretto, while Glasgow City Council tries to find her suitable permanent accommodation. This is proving difficult, however, because she needs a 3 bedroom property.

Sheelan is quick to acknowledge that Loretto is doing its best for her. 'They are doing the best they can,' she says. 'They have only been helping me for a few weeks but already have showed how to use local services and how to set up gas and electric accounts.' Loretto's function is to help people sustain their tenancies while Glasgow City Council continues to search for the right place for the family to live. Sheelan said, 'The flat itself is too small, and has needed basic repairs. I want to move into a bigger house for my children, but they say it could be as much as five years before I get a suitable tenancy. That is what I need; a home where I can raise my children. '

Story supplied by Andrew Dougal of the Scottish Refugee Council

The work of the Unit is steered by an Excecutive Committee of providers ( SFHA, CCPS and SCSH members) along with the Scottish Executive, CoSLA and more recently a private sector provider.

THE ENABLING UNIT

Enabling is a wonderful word. But what does it mean in practice?

The Supporting People Enabling Unit was established nearly two years ago to assist and support providers in the voluntary and private sectors. This has meant building up contact with over 1,000 services across the country, sending out regular news bulletins and newsflashes by email, identifying important information about Supporting People, regulation and inspection, and making sure providers across the country have access to it.

Regional Supporting People events conducted by the Unit have been well attended by providers and local authority staff, promoting discussion on a range of subjects such as the Contract Framework consultation or the future qualification framework for housing support workers. Shared perspectives have brought shared confidence and focus for participants. To find out just how providers feel they are doing with the Supporting People regime, the Unit has conducted a six-monthly survey in which 45 providers across the country have been taking part. The survey has given the Unit an insight into the adjustments providers have had to make over the last year and a half as well as helping chart the health of relationships with their local authority commissioners. On a national level the Unit has taken part in various national working parties to help ensure that providers' interests are kept to the fore on issues like revisions to the guidance on Service Reviews.

Enabling Unit

Other enabling activities have included designing courses to help prepare staff teams for their role in Care Commission inspections. Around 120 people have attended so far. The Unit organised a conference about service review in September, as it is keen to hear from providers who have been through a Service Review in order to build up a more detailed picture of how they found the process. If you would like to share your experience please get in touch!

The work of the Unit is steered by an Executive Committee of providers ( SFHA, CCPS and SCSH members) along with the Scottish Executive, CoSLA and more recently a private sector provider. Currently based in an office donated by Capability Scotland, its main funding comes from the Scottish Executive.

To find out more about the Supporting People programme and related issues from a provider's perspective see the Unit's web pages at www.ccpscotland.org/spunit This site includes an Open Forum area where you can post comments and share information with others.

WHAT'S THE STORY AT BAL(a)MORE(y)?

Escorted by Sharon Wearing (lead officer, City of Glasgow Council), members of the Scottish Executive Supporting People team visited Supporting People service providers' facilities in Glasgow this October.

First stop was - not Balamory, which is a little further afield - but Glasgow's Balmore Housing Association at Hawthorn Street. Its refurbished very sheltered housing complex boasts vibrant colours and cheerful décor, and we found the complex was designed with the support needs of older people in mind. There is even a room for guests to stay while visiting elderly relatives. Residents, always consulted about their support needs, gave thumbs up to the services and activities available on site (bingo is just over the road), naming away days, pub lunches, concerts, theatre trips, shopping and music events. Those who have even greater support needs have their housing and care at home support services provided by the Richmond Fellowship, Scotland.

Second was a visit to a new housing support service in Garscube Road run by Aspire for clients who were previously homeless. One of the clients kindly agreed to let us view his flat. His comments like 'born again', 'night and day' and 'sense of respect' give an inkling of what this support service means to him. He will move on to a more permanent tenancy in sheltered housing.

Last but not least was a look around Peter McCann House in Kyle Street. This is a hostel for the homeless that Glasgow City Council is in the process of closing although some 240 places remain in use. It is scheduled for closure next year.

Everyone agreed that this was a valuable experience and it is rewarding to see the dedication of staff who deliver these services for vulnerable people.

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS OF TRUST

Cathy (not her real name), 18 years old, says,
'I would love to have a befriender as I get so lonely. A befriender would make all the difference to me. When can I have one?'

Cathy is staying in supported accommodation for young homeless people, and is looking forward to moving on, but with fears about isolation when she does. Befrienders meet up regularly with people who have been homeless to share in a variety of social activities. They are volunteers who are vetted (with enhanced disclosures including police checks), trained and supported.

By My Side is Scottish Churches Housing Action's 3-year programme to develop at least six new befriending schemes in different parts of Scotland. Work has started with the first two, in Glenrothes, Fife, in partnership with Scottish Christian Alliance, and in Glasgow with Glasgow Rent Deposit and Support Scheme. The programme is funded by the Scottish Executive, trust funds, and the contributions of supporters of Scottish Churches Housing Action.

The need for befriending was recognised by the Homelessness Task Force as part of the process of improving the social networks of homeless people. It reduces social isolation, eliminates repeat homelessness, develops trusting relationships, provides continuity for homeless people as they progress, and provides worthwhile experiences for volunteer and homeless person alike. Scottish Churches Housing Action's role is developmental. Through its Churches Homelessness Initiatives Programme, it identifies areas where befriending is needed, brings together suitable local partners, provides a development toolkit and support in starting a project, and bows out, leaving behind a viable local befriending scheme.

Diane Beckett, Development Manager, Scottish Churches Housing Action

Diane Beckett is the Development Manager. 'We believe befriending is a key response to the problems of isolation and loneliness that go along with being homeless. We decided to mark our 10th anniversary year by promoting it, and our development services allow organisations on the ground to mobilise volunteers in this new area of work. We are keen to explore new partnerships with day centres, hostels, support programmes and others working at a local level with homeless people.'

The development process takes time if projects are to be effective and sustainable. A business plan needs to be made, funding identified, and management structures established. So it may take a wee while until Cathy gets her befriender, but help is on its way.

To discuss how By My Side can help develop a befriending scheme for homeless people in your area, contact the Development Manager, Diane Beckett, at Scottish Churches Housing Action: diane@scotchho.org.uk or 0131 477 4556 (answer service) or 07947 484777 (mobile)

Find out more about Scottish Churches Housing Action at www.churches-housing.org

THE HOUSE KEY

Julie Lumsden discovers the House Key website.

The Directory of Housing Support Services is being launched this month to local authorities, providers and service user groups to test user friendliness and accuracy of information held. At the moment it is password protected until we are sure we've got it right, and those providing the information have given their consent for their data to appear on the live site. We plan to have the site available to you all in January and hope to receive your feedback once you have had the chance to sample it for yourselves. Log on at the end of January at www.housekey.org.

FUNNY YOU SHOULD SHASC …

The SHASC (Scottish Housing and Support Conference) held in Dunblane this year offered a mixed programme allowing delegates to select from sessions on service user participation, regulation and monitoring, service delivery, joint working and more. What was it like from a delegate's perspective? We asked for reactions:

A delegate

'
Heather Dall

For me, the theme of the conference was "thinking out of the box". The fact that it included a significant Care Commission contingent, local authority staff, housing associations, support providers and service users made it fertile ground for a wide-ranging and informed discussion. Like many, I get more from one to one and small group discussion than from formal presentations. The proven SHASC formula for getting people together in a relaxed environment with lots of space was, I believe, a success.

'What was the big idea that I took away? One rises above the rest and it came from a workshop on service user participation. What if we turn things on their heads? What if decisions about services were made by those who use them, with representation from non-users? It makes you think, doesn't it?'

A speaker

'As a social work manager this was my first experience of leading a workshop at a large conference. Already anxious, I found my co-facilitator was unable to attend on the day. My opening request was for a volunteer to stand in - but no one offered!
I had to go it alone.

'In the workshop we explored a new model designed to meet current and future accommodation, support and care needs of older people in Aberdeenshire. The presentation prompted an energetic, interested response and discussion by delegates, with a lot of welcome questions and discussion about the issues surrounding supporting older people in sheltered housing. These included the challenges all providers face in costs of delivering increased support services. The feedback was very positive. I found it rewarding from my perspective as a first time facilitator.'

Joanna Hind

A regulator

'The conference started with Pete Ritchie asking about the benefit of regulation and whether it protects vulnerable people from being abused. As a regulator of housing support services working with the Care Commission, it would be unusual for us to see abusive practices whilst carrying out inspections. However, we ensure managers and staff recognise what abuse is, what to do it they detect it, and ensure policies and procedures are in place for service users and their representatives so they know what to do should they experience abuse. If we observe practices that may have a negative impact upon service users we know they require to be addressed.

'With the Care Commission the focus is on improving and developing services, and only formally intervening when required. However, from the perspective of people using services these powers are a vital safeguard. We meet people and hear of new approaches, service user consultation, and influence over services received. We hear about new initiatives in service provision and good examples of practice. We are able to suggest ideas to practitioners struggling with difficult situations.

'Conferences promote these exciting new developments. One observation I and my fellow regulators made was how well SHASC had responded to feedback and evaluation comments from last year's conference. We hope that providers of services soon to be regulated will equally welcome our comments and act on the recommendations made!'

Lorna Shewan

'Talking, listening to people, exchanging ideas, business cards and telephone numbers, communicating and continuing to communicate … perhaps this is the main reason all of us go to conferences.']

'It was a really nice place, with everything you needed. It was good to see how interested people were in what we were saying.']

EQUALITIES - IMPACT ON HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS

The promotion of racial equality, introduced as an amendment to the Race Relations Act applies to all public authorities. The Scottish Executive revised and republished its Race Equality Scheme this November. Its purpose is to ensure that as an organisation the Scottish Executive is doing all it can to promote race equality, consistently ensuring the behaviour of the people who work for it and with it is not racist, whether intentionally or not.

But what about bodies like housing associations who receive public subsidy to provide housing for those in need but are not defined as public authorities? How do they regulate equalities matters?

Housing associations currently have a general legal duty to observe equalities and are bound by race, gender and disability legislation not too discriminate in service provision and by s106 of the 2001 Housing (Scotland) Act to promote equal opportunities on grounds of race, sexual orientation in employment , disability, religion, age or gender. But though housing associations do not have to publish a race equality strategy and other duties of public authorities under the race relations Act, they are indirectly affected by it. Their regulating body, Communities Scotland, is legally bound by the Act to promote race equality in all organisations it deals with. It looks for evidence of equalities good practice within all organisations it monitors. And to set race equality higher on the agenda, next February the Commission for Racial Equality will be publishing an updated Code of Practice for both private and public sectors in all rented housing.

We asked Liz Burns of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations how this might help promote equalities practice within housing associations. 'Housing associations serve many different communities,' she answered. 'The Code of Practice will help focus thinking on how well we serve our communities. BME communities are statistically likely to be in greater housing poverty than many, for example, and yet traditionally they don't always come forward to housing associations for help. They go to local authorities. Why? Are your doors open to all? Do you know who doesn't come forward? Do people know about you and feel welcomed? This is about understanding what makes access to services fair. Unintentional discrimination can occur when service providers start with the assumption that everyone has the same needs. People have different needs and anything that helps service providers examine this issue will help us provide a better service.'

So how does an organisation promote the idea of equalities? 'Start with the attitude that you are always learning,' advised Liz. 'Notice what you've achieved already, find out what works and why. The key is understanding that just because you put no obvious barriers in the way of accessing services doesn't mean that you are accessible to all. A housing association is set up to benefit its community(s). If for some reason it doesn't, then it will be the first to want to know how it can improve!'

Scottish WOMEN
Supporting WOMEN

Supporting People funding has provided a number of Women's Aid groups with an opportunity to develop their support services to meet the different needs of the women and young people who come to them for help. This funding has allowed North Ayrshire Women's Aid to expand the number of refuge spaces it can offer and to provide different types of accommodation to suit differing needs. The accommodation they offer now varies from refuges with communal facilities to individual flats scattered throughout North Ayrshire. Supporting People funding also allows them to employ an additional refuge support worker as well as two outreach workers who support women who have moved on to homes of their own. They have developed an out-of-hours service supporting women in refuges during evenings and weekends. Ann Paton of North Ayrshire Women's Aid commented, 'This has effectively expanded our service to 24 hours a day every day. It also provides support well beyond refuge.'

In May Scottish Women's Aid ( SWA) ran a questionnaire survey for its 39 affiliated Women's Aid groups, monitoring the impact of the funding changes brought about by the Supporting People programme and discovering whether changes had affected service delivery. The report on the survey states 90% of all groups said Supporting People was 'very important' to their funding arrangements. However, 30% indicated they felt confused about local authority funding allocation policies. Though 76% of groups reported funding was the same as or more than the previous year, about a third still had to deal with shortfalls. Over half indicated that Supporting People funding had a positive impact on their group and their service, improving provision and providing some financial security, in some cases allowing services to expand. But about a third believed the funding had a negative impact in requiring additional time for addressing accountability, monitoring and statistical information, adding bureaucracy to a system not highly geared for it. Problems also arose for some groups over accessing information on Supporting People from their local authorities. While two thirds said they could access information easily, others felt either there was not enough, or there was so much it swamped them.

Ann Paton commented,

'Secure funding is obviously the concern for the future. A contract for three years would help with planning the service but capped funding will make future development very difficult. It is vital that what has been achieved in the national strategy to address domestic abuse is not lost at local level as a result of changes to Supporting People budget.'

SWA will be carrying out a survey on the impact of service reviews over the next year.

Supporting People
Second Annual Conference

Stephen Sandham and Heather Dall from the Scottish Executive Supporting People team, along with Mike Martin from the Joint Improvement Team, spoke at the 2005 Supporting People Conference. They highlighted the need for us all to demonstrate the effectiveness of the Supporting People Programme. We currently have anecdotal evidence of how Supporting People monies have made a difference to the lives of vulnerable people, and how the provision of Housing Support Services has enhanced life quality for many, preventing people from becoming homeless, reducing re-offending, and enabling people to move from long-term institutional care. However, for a programme with an annual budget of over £400 million a year, Stephen and Heather pointed out more than anecdotal evidence is required.

The Scottish Executive is commissioning research, along the lines of work done for ODPM in England, on a cost / benefit analysis of the programme's impact in Scotland. The Executive is separately monitoring the impact of the service reviews and budget changes. The Scottish Executive is keen to move to an outcome based approach to evidencing effectiveness. This involves identifying how individuals have benefited and how Supporting People contributes to national strategies and targets.

Stephen and Heather also explained that Scotland would take account of reactions to ODPM's consultation on possible changes to their own Supporting People strategy. While this will have some impact on thinking here, Scotland is free to develop its own strategy as Scottish Ministers judge best.

Keep having your say!

This newsletter is also available on the Supporting People website (address below).
Let us know what you think of the site and this newsletter.
If you have an example of working practice that would make good news or have any ideas on Supporting People communications, send your comments and ideas to
Email:supportingpeople@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

If you have had difficulty finding us it is because we have changed our web address - see below.

You can contact the Scottish Executive or request additional copies of this newsletter from the Supporting People team at:

Regeneration, Fuel Poverty and Supporting People,
1-G, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ.
Telephone: 0131-244 5525 Fax: 0131-244 5529
Email:supportingpeople@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

This publication is available on request in large print, Braille or audio cassette format and languages other than English.www.scotland.gov.uk/topics/housing/housing/supportpeople/intro