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Housing Support Bulletin Issue 10 (July 2010)

Abstract of July 2010 Bulletin

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Housing Support Bulletin Issue 10 (July 2010)

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Housing Support Bulletin Issue 8 (January 2010)

Abstract of January 2010 Bulletin

  1. Linking LHS and Housing Support Conference took place on 8th December 2009 bringing together staff from Local Authorities, the Scottish Government and Service Providers.
  2. Research into Social Networks is being planned by the Rock Trust with funding from the Big Lottery.
  3. Housing Support Statistics are currently under review by the Scottish Government with the assistance of a working group.
  4. Procurement - New Guidance for Social Care Procurement is the subject of a consultation exercise being conducted the the Scottish Government.
  5. SSSC Consultation - Registering Managers of Care at Home Services and housing support managers from late 2010.
  6. Housing Benefit Consultation is being conducted by the DWP with a deadline of 22nd February 2010.
  7. Questions and Answers cover issues relating to VAT on agency staff costs, HB rules affecting temporary accommodation and procurement and contract values.
  8. HSEU Research into Housing Support Funding Levels and Service Volume in Scotland 2008/2009 has now been completed and its findings have recently been reported.
  9. SeaScape is a service in South Ayrshire and provides rent deposit guarantees, tenancy support and befriending.
  10. Scottish Government is looking at Reshaping Care for Older People and has identified 5 workstreams relating to outcomes for older people's housing.
  11. Housing Voluntary Grant Scheme Awards provides £2.4m funding for housing support in Scotland.

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Housing Support Bulletin Issue 9 (April 2010)

Abstract of April 2010 Bulletin

  1. Better Futures Outcomes Tool is in the final stages of development. Housing support providers are being invited to try out the new software from May 4th.
  2. The HSEU Response to Social Care Guidelines has been submitted to the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government has issued an invitation for service providers to share examples of good  practice in terms of procurement.
  3. The Reshaping Care for Older People programme was launched by Minister for Public Health and Sport, Shona Robison MSP.
  4. The Care Commission will introduce an additional focus on quality assurance in the inspection of some care at home and combined housing support services this year.
  5. The SSSC has approved recommendations for qualifications of managers of care at home and housing support services.
  6. New regulations for Cross Boundary Arrangements have been issued by the Scottish Government
  7. Views on the sort of housing support statistics which should be gathered have been sought by the Scottish Government with stakeholders.
  8. A draft strategy on self-directed support: Self-directed Support: A National Strategy for Scotland has been drawn up by the Scottish Government
  9. Better Futures tool in its latest stage of development.
  10. The Continuous Learning Framework has been developed for the social services workforce by the SSSC.
  11. Scottish Government is continuing the Housing Support Forum at the request of stakeholders.
  12. An independent valuation of Telecare has been carried out by York Health Economics Consortium.
  13. The Cross Sector Supported Accommodation Group has met for the first time.
  14. The HSEU has been successful in its bid for continued funding from the Scottish Government.
  15. The SHASC conference will be held on Thurs 7th October.
  16. The HSEU will be holding a new photography competition for users of housing support services.

Housing Support Bulletin Issue 9 (April 2010)

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Housing Support Bulletin Issue 7 (October 2009)

Abstract of October 2009 Bulletin

  1. Housing support statistics working group. The Scottish Government has convened a short life working group that will develop a revised statistical data collection on housing support
  2. Third Sector resilience fund. The Scottish Government has announced that £1.7million is being targeted at Third Sector organisations.
  3. Care Commission. Alison Bavidge, Policy and Knowledge Management manager gives an update on the Care Commission's annual returns.
  4. Procurement. The Scottish Government Joint Improvement Team and Scottish Government's Procurement Directorate are working with a range of stakeholders to produce good practice guidance on procurement of social care services.
  5. Better Futures is the new name for the housing support outcomes framework.
  6. Questions and answers on housing support.The Unit hears and responds to questions that have been asked by providers over the past two months.
  7. Scottish Government discusses current issues in housing support including the Housekey website and information on older people's housing.

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Housing Support Bulletin Issue 6 (July 2009)

Abstract of Housing Support Bulletin Issue 6 (July 2009)

  1. Workforce registration. Adam Ingram, Minister for Children and Early Years, has announced that the registration of housing support staff will now commence in December 2010
  2. Research into housing support. The HSEU is completing a two year study to find out information about housing support in Scotland.
  3. Housing Support Outcomes Matrix. Work is continuing on the housing support outcomes framework.
  4. Charging for services. The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) has now revised its guidance on charging.
  5. Joint Improvement Team. The Scottish Government Joint Improvement Team and Scottish Government's Procurement Directorate are working with a range of stakeholders to produce good practice guidance on procurement of social care services.
  6. East Fife Womens Aid discusses how their system of self monitoring and evaluation has improved their service.
  7. Questions and answers on housing support.The Unit hears and responds to questions that have been asked by providers over the past two months.
  8. Scottish Government discusses current issues in housing support including the national reporting on housing support and the housing voluntary grant scheme.

Housing Support Bulletin Issue 6 (July 2009)

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Housing Support Bulletin Issue 5 (April 2009)

Abstract of Housing Support Bulletin Issue 5 (April 2009)

  1. Housing Support Outcomes Matrix. Work is continuing on the housing support outcomes framework.
  2. How some local authorities are approaching 2009/10. The Unit has been gathering information about local authorities' budgets for housing support for 2008/09.
  3. Eildon Housing Association's Tenancy Support Service provides housing support to those who feel they need some help if they are to maintain their tenancy.
  4. Research into housing support. The HSEU is completing a two year study to find out information about housing support in Scotland.
  5. Experiences of Single People Presenting as Homeless in Glasgow
  6. Help The Aged has published a report called Nobody's Listening: The impact of floating support on older people living in sheltered housing.
  7. Questions and answers on housing support.The Unit hears and responds to questions that have been asked by providers over the past two months.
  8. Scottish Government discusses current issues in housing support including the Housing Voluntary Sector Grant Scheme, the Housing Support Forum and the Housekey Website.

[PDF] Housing Support Bulletin Issue 5 (April 2009)

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Housing Support Bulletin Issue 4 (January 2009)

Abstract of Housing Support Bulletin Issue 4 (January 2009)

  1. Into the Spotlight. This conference focused on ways in which housing, health and care services can work in partnership to enable people with health and care needs to remain in their own homes.
  2. Single Outcome Agreement. The Scottish Government has issued a guidance document for Community Planning Partnerships (CPPs) to assist them review existing Single Outcome Agreements.
  3. Additional Costs Associated With Temporary Workers. From 1 April 2009, businesses and other organisations will be charged VAT on the full value of the invoice issued by the employment agency for the supply of temporary workers.
  4. The Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007. The Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 came into effect on 29 October 2008. Part 1 introduces new measures to identify and protect individuals who fall into the category of 'adults at risk' and all those working within social care will be expected to have a role in implementing the new measures.
  5. Care Commission Annual Return. Alison Bavidge, Policy and Knowledge Management Manager with the Care Commission discusses the purpose of the Care Commission's annual return form.
  6. Questions and answers on housing support. The Unit hears and responds to questions that have been asked by providers over the past two months.
  7. Scottish Government discusses current issues in housing support including the Housing Voluntary Sector Grant Scheme, the Housing Support Forum and the Housekey Website.

[PDF] Housing Support Bulletin Issue 4 (January 2009)

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Housing Support Bulletin Issue 3 (October 2008)

Abstract of Housing Support Bulletin Issue 3 (October 2008)

  1. Single Outcome Agreement. All 32 local authorities in Scotland have now finalised their Single Outcome Agreements (SOAs).
  2. Registered Social Landlords' concern about tendering. Registered Social landlords have been getting in touch with the HSEU to say how concerned they are about the policy and practice of tendering.
  3. Changes to Care Commission inspection 2009/10. In 2008 the Care Commission introduced, Regulating for Improvement (RFI) which placed greater emphasis on service user participation, introduced the grading of services and placed more importance on the providers own self evaluation process.
  4. HSEU Research into housing support funding levels and service volume in Scotland from 2007/08. The HSEU has written a report on its research into funding levels and service volume in Scotland from 2007/08.
  5. A Service User's Experience of Housing Support. The HSEU has spoken to service users to hear about their experience of housing support and how receiving support has helped them.
  6. Questions and answers on housing support. The Unit hears and responds to questions that have been asked by providers over the past two months.
  7. Scottish Government discusses current issues in housing support including new procurement guidance.

[PDF] Housing Support Bulletin Issue 3 (October 2008)

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Housing Support Bulletin Issue 2 (July 2008)

Abstract of Housing Support Bulletin Issue 2 (July 2008)

  1. Local Housing Strategies. Since the removal of the SP ringfence there will be no requirement for local authorities to develop separate strategies for housing support.
  2. Single Outcome Agreement. Each local authority was required to submit its Single Outcome Agreement (SOA) by the end of June 2008.
  3. Supporting People Client Statistics. The Scottish Government has produced a report which presents key statistics on clients assisted through Supporting People funding during 2006-07.
  4. Inflationary Uplifts and Contracting Issues. The Housing Support Enabling Unit has been gathering information from each local authority to gain a picture of trends in their funding of housing support this year as well as their approaches to contracting.
  5. Outcomes framework. The Scottish Government has published its evaluation of the Housing Support Outcomes Framework.
  6. Questions and answers on housing support. The Unit hears and responds to questions that have been asked by providers over the past two months.
  7. Scottish Government discusses current issues in housing support including Single outcome Agreements.

[PDF] Housing Support Bulletin Issue 2 (July 2008)

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Housing Support Bulletin Issue 1 (April 2008)

Abstract of Housing Support Bulletin Issue 1 (April 2008)

  1. Housing Support Enabling Unit. The Supporting People Enabling Unit will change its name to Housing Support Enabling Unit on 1 April 2008.
  2. Single Outcome Agreement. The Scottish Government has issued further guidance on the outcomes and indicators of the single outcome agreement.
  3. How local authorities are approaching contracting in 2008/09. The Housing Support Enabling Unit has produced a summary of the way those local authorities that took part in the regional events in January and February plan to approach service contracts in 08/09.
  4. Outcomes framework. The Scottish Government is evaluating a system which monitors how housing support impacts on people's lives.
  5. Sector Skills Agreement. The Scottish Social Services Council has produced its Third Stage report on sector skills within social care.
  6. Governance. The Social Work Inspectorate Agency has produced a draft self evaluation questionnaire to help management committees judge their own performance.
  7. Care Commission has completed its evaluation of its new inspection system the Quality Assessment Framework.
  8. Questions and answers on housing support. The Unit hears and responds to questions that have been asked by providers over the past two months.
  9. Scottish Government outlines the new structure for the housing support team.

[PDF] Housing Support Bulletin Issue 1 (April 2008)

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Supporting People Enabling Unit Bulletin 2004-2008

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