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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/Topics/Housing/Housing/supportpeople/intro
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