GHA COMMUNITY CARE POLICY

Transcription

1 GHA COMMUNITY CARE POLICY Draft for Consultation Better homes, better lives

2 CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 2 2. SCOPE FOR LOCAL VARIATION 3 3. SUSTAINABILITY 4 4. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES STATEMENT 5 5. LEGAL & REGULATORY FRAMEWORK 6 6. PRINCIPLES, AIMS & OBJECTIVES 8 7. ASSESSMENT OF NEED COMMUNITY CARE STRATEGY FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT CONFIDENTIALITY CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PERFORMANCE MONITORING POLICY REVIEWS/CONSULTATION LINKS WITH OTHER POLICIES 18 GHA DRAFT COMMUNITY CARE POLICY / 1

3 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 The Glasgow Housing Association Ltd (GHA) is a registered social landlord, established to take over the housing stock of Glasgow City Council, through a Large Scale Voluntary Transfer. 1.2 Focusing on local accountability, GHA s aim is that a local network of Local Housing Organisations (LHOs) across the city will provide all local management services, on behalf of GHA, through a management agreement. 1.3 GHA must ensure that LHO performance meets the performance levels and targets required by GHA s Business Plan, Regulatory and Contractual commitments and will monitor LHO compliance to agreed targets. 1.4 GHA and LHOs will be jointly responsible for implementing this Care in the Community Policy. GHA will ensure that staff and committee responsibilities in relation to the management of this Policy are clear. Committee s role is to agree policy and evaluate performance. Staff members have overall responsibilities for coordinating and monitoring community care activities. LHO policy should similarly define responsibilities. GHA DRAFT COMMUNITY CARE POLICY / 2

4 2. SCOPE FOR LOCAL VARIATION 2.1 LHOs may develop a local policy or variation of this policy that meets both the needs of the LHO community and the overall business objectives of GHA. 2.2 Local policy or variations should take into account the following: Statutory and regulatory requirements, including Communities Scotland Performance Standards, SFHA Raising Standards and periodic guidance. Attention is also drawn to the tenant information and participation provisions of the Housing (Scotland) Act The provisions of GHA s Business Plan, with particular reference to GHA s promises to tenants as set down in the Stage 1 and Stage 2 consultation documents. The requirement for GHA to operate and deliver a performance management framework that will ensure its commitments to tenants and agreements with key stakeholders are being delivered. 2.3 LHOs must seek approval from GHA before introducing policy changes. Policy variations may be refused if the change will have financial implications, or if the policy changes are not consistent with legislation, GHA commitments and service charges. Where LHOs do not choose to develop their own Community Care Policy, this Community Care Policy will apply. 2.4 LHOs should consult with tenants, registered tenant s groups and other service-users before implementation of their own policies. GHA DRAFT COMMUNITY CARE POLICY / 3

5 3. SUSTAINABILITY 3.1 This Community Care Policy complies with GHA s commitment to sustainability and takes account of wider economic and social impacts of the policy in terms of individuals, households, local communities and the environment. We expect our approach to Community Care to link up with our Neighbourhood Renewal Initiatives by helping to bring stability to local communities and providing opportunities for training and employment for local people in the social care employment sector. We are developing specific initiatives to assist older tenants through our Wider Action programme, including Silver Deal and Warm Deal. GHA DRAFT COMMUNITY CARE POLICY / 4

6 4. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES STATEMENT 4.1 This Community Care Policy complies with GHA s Equal Opportunities Policy. LHOs should similarly comply. GHA recognises its pro-active role in valuing and promoting diversity, fairness, social justice and equality of opportunity by adopting and promoting fair policies and procedures. 4.2 GHA will check its Community Care Policy and associated procedures regularly for their equal opportunity implications, taking appropriate action to address inequalities likely to result or resulting from the implementation of the policy and procedures. 4.3 GHA is committed to providing fair and equal treatment for all its stakeholders including tenants and will not discriminate against any on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion, age, gender, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family circumstances, employment status, physical ability and mental health. Indeed we will positively endeavour to achieve fair and similar outcomes for all. GHA DRAFT COMMUNITY CARE POLICY / 5

7 5. LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK 5.1 Legislation relevant to this Policy includes: Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 Regulation of Care Scotland Act 2001 Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and Amendment Act 2005 Children (Scotland) Act 1995 NHS and Community Care Act 1990 Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002 NHS Reform (Scotland) Act 2004 Adults with Incapacity Act 2002 Mental Health Care and Treatment Act In formulating and implementing this policy, GHA is committed to meeting statutory requirements, Performance Standards and Good Practice outlined in documents such as Raising Standards in Housing. GHA expects similar commitment from each LHO in the formulation and implementation of its own policy. Relevance guidance will include: Modernising Community Care: Guidance on the Housing Contribution, Scottish Office 1999 Raising the Standard, SFHA, Chapter 6, Housing With Support Report of the Joint Future Group, Scottish Executive, November 2000 sets the wider context for delivery of community care services. Essential Connections: Linking housing, health and social care. Chartered Institute of Housing, Association of Directors of Social Work and Joint Future Joint Improvement Team PERFORMANCE STANDARDS 5.3 As a Registered Social Landlord, GHA (and LHOs) are subject to regulation and inspection by Communities Scotland. Communities Scotland s document Performance Standards and Assessment Criteria sets out suggested measures for each of the standards. The following Performance Standards are relevant to this Policy: Performance Standard AS1.4 Housing Support Needs We are responsive to people's individual housing support needs GHA DRAFT COMMUNITY CARE POLICY / 6

8 5.4 GHA s approach will also be influenced by the local priorities set out in the Glasgow Joint Community Care Plan, City Housing Services Housing Strategy and Greater Glasgow Health Board s Health Improvement Plans. 5.5 The Community Care policy is one of a range of policies that will guide our approach to providing housing with support. It should be read along with our Homelessness policy, our policy on Adaptations and our Allocation policy. 5.6 Delivery of particular housing with support initiatives will be the responsibility of the Local Housing Organisations (LHOs). The LHOs will receive central support from GHA, including training and procurement guidance. As important will be the range of contacts that LHOs develop in their area, including joint working with primary care providers from Health and Social Work. GHA DRAFT COMMUNITY CARE POLICY / 7

9 6. PRINCIPLES, AIMS & OBJECTIVES 6.1 GHA recognises that to make an effective contribution to meeting housing and community care needs we need to do more than ensure equal access to good quality accommodation and support services. We also need to help transform and regenerate disadvantaged neighbourhoods, creating supportive communities for people with support needs. The three aims of the Community Care Policy are: ensuring support for people who want to live independently within ordinary housing working in partnership with other organisations to provide a full and flexible range of housing options to meet the needs of people with disabilities. Regenerating neighbourhoods and creating stable communities that promote the inclusion of people with community care needs 6.2 As a housing provider, GHA: Provides information to assist the housing and community care planning process and carries out research to help assess needs. Contributes to the provision of a full and flexible range of housing options which meet community care needs Regenerates neighbourhoods and creates communities that promote the inclusion of people with community care needs 6.3 As a landlord, GHA: Improves people s access to housing, both getting accommodation and choices about moving on Provides a flexible range of high quality support services that enable people to live independently in their own home Works effectively with partners to prevent and alleviate homelessness, Maximises people s rights and enjoyment of their accommodation and neighbourhood through appropriate tenancy agreements and housing management services Encourages the participation in decision making of traditionally excluded groups and removes any barriers to participation by tenants with support needs Works effectively with partners providing care and support services to sustain tenancies and improve outcomes for tenants GHA DRAFT COMMUNITY CARE POLICY / 8

10 6.4 A key requirement of our approach to community care is to find responsive and effective ways to support people in their tenancies. We define housing with support as the range of tasks delivered in the tenants home, which enables that person to sustain the tenancy or the accommodation. The specific tasks that comprise housing support will be those eligible for funding within the Government s Supporting People initiative. People who are vulnerable and therefore needing additional housing support services may include: Elderly people Physical disability Mental health problems Learning disability Addictions Homelessness Vulnerable young people Asylum seekers and refugees GHA recognises that there will be cases of multiple disadvantage. 6.5 Distinctive aspects of our approach will be: practical, on the ground support services reducing the incidence of tenancy breakdown and the accompanying social and financial costs both to the tenant and GHA. provision of services that promote equality and inclusion 6.6 GHA will not generally be a provider of personal care to our tenants. Where an individual has a requirement for care services, for example personal care to assist with bathing, dressing, toileting, GHA will take all reasonable steps to ensure the appropriate agencies are alerted. 6.7 In developing good practice in our housing and community care policies we will be guided by the following principles: promotion of full tenancy rights in supported housing support (and personal care) at home rather than an institutional setting individual needs assessments access to mainstream housing rather than special projects and hostels effective joint working with Glasgow Social Work Services, Greater Glasgow Health Board and agencies providing care and support GHA DRAFT COMMUNITY CARE POLICY / 9

11 taking time to listen to people s concerns and offering opportunities to participate in decision making about their home and support services 6.8 GHA will continue to develop its community care policies with other Support Providers. Where appropriate GHA will enter into management agreements with other organisations providing support services to GHA tenants. The Scottish Federation of Housing Association (SFHA) model agreement will be used as a guide for such agreements. 6.9 Supporting People Funding: GHA will seek to maximise the funding opportunities presented by the Governments Supporting People initiative, through a positive working relationship with the Council s Supporting People Team. We are registered with the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care (SCRC) as a provider of housing support services and will make appropriate amendments to the registration in future as secondary transfer to LHOs takes place. The benchmark standard for monitoring standards of support services will be those determined by SCRC, both for GHA and other support providers GHA tenants will frequently receive support or combinations of support and personal care through arrangements not directly involving GHA, typically involving Glasgow Social Work Services. Funding for care and support may involve combinations of funding from different sources. We recognise we will have little or no direct involvement in some care and support arrangements. Where we are involved we will seek a positive working relationship with all providers and commissioners GHA will accept nominations for people with community care needs from Social Work Services and other agencies. Allocation of housing will be made according to our Allocation policy. Where a vacancy occurs in a property leased to a support organisation, responsibility for filling the vacancy will be determined by the terms set out in the management agreement or lease between GHA and the care provider. GHA DRAFT COMMUNITY CARE POLICY / 10

12 7. ASSESSMENT OF NEED 7.1 Working in partnership with GCC and joint partners, GHA will develop assessment tools for identifying people s housing and support requirements. Assessments should where appropriate involve other agencies involved in providing support and / or personal care. In particular GHA will seek to develop the use of joint or shared assessments with Social Work Services. This will be particularly important where Social Work will have an ongoing Care Management role with the individual. GHA and LHOs will co-operate with and assist relevant support agencies when required 7.2 In the case of homeless persons, the Council s Homelessness Service will provide the LHO with the assessment of the person s ability to sustain a tenancy and/or any risk that might be posed to members of the local community, along with supporting information. In the event that the person has a support requirement, the LHO will receive details of this and of the package to be provided. On an ongoing basis the LHO will be informed by the support provider/care Manager if the support package is being withdrawn and any refusal on the part of the person to accept the support offered. 7.3 Some community care referrals and homeless referrals may have little or no furniture of their own. In order to assist people to sustain a tenancy, LHO staff should identify waiting list and transfer applicants who require a furnished let. The Council Homeless Persons service is responsible for identifying homeless cases where the applicant needs furnished accommodation. These will be passed to the GHA Furnished Let Service. 7.4 Specific arrangements for information sharing are contained in the Statement of Best Practice on Sharing of client / tenant information agreed by GHA and the Council, and these arrangements will be adhered to by both organisations. 7.5 GHA will continue to work jointly with other support providers after accommodation is allocated to ensure early identification of needs that are not being met and to reduce tenancy breakdown rates. LHOs should ensure that there are regular case reviews where individuals are receiving additional support (and care) services. An important outcome from these reviews will be to assess the current levels of care and support and make adjustments where appropriate. GHA DRAFT COMMUNITY CARE POLICY / 11

13 8. COMMUNITY CARE STRATEGY 8.1 Prior to transfer, Glasgow City Council produced a Community Care Accommodation Strategy in November This covered provision by all social landlords and encompassed the private sector contribution. However, the implementation of the Supporting People Funding regime has made significant changes to provision and the demand for future requirements. GHA is therefore developing a GHA Housing and Community Care Strategy and Action Plan, in conjunction with joint planning partners and voluntary agencies. The strategy also links with the GCC Supporting People Strategy, Local Housing Strategy and Community Care Planning. The Strategy will feed into the GHA Business Plan, Asset Management Strategy and Investment Programme. 8.2 We will work with joint planning partners and LHOs to develop an effective understanding of the housing and support needs that are required within local communities and evaluate how current services can be improved. LHOs will be expected to consult in their communities about gaps in provision and consult with other agencies working locally, including health and social work agencies. Each LHO will set out their priorities for community care needs within the annual Strategy and Investment Plan, submitted to GHA as a bidding document for funding purposes. 8.3 We recognise that by making better use of existing resources we can reduce the requirement for developing new initiatives and at the same time provide more cost effective solutions. Our goal is also to shift resources from crisis response (unplanned) to a more planned, earlier intervention. GHA has already carried out significant reviews of housing management services and sheltered housing support services. In particular GHA will seek an early review of the following: Funding responsibilities for major adaptations to tenants homes Future role of sheltered housing support services in meeting support needs of other client groups in the community Housing alarms service. 8.4 We are conscious that the community care needs of people from an ethnic minority background may be overlooked unless specific action is taken. GHA will seek an active dialogue with community representatives from BME groups so that we include their needs in our community care planning. GHA DRAFT COMMUNITY CARE POLICY / 12

14 9. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT 9.1 Where a property is being held vacant for a particular individual, for example an individual leaving long term hospital, GHA will seek prior agreement with the referral agency about responsibilities of the parties for meeting the pre occupancy void costs, including lost rent and security charges. 9.2 For vacancies that remain unfilled and where there is no agreement for meeting the ongoing costs of the void GHA will take appropriate action to resolve the situation and to protect itself from financial loss. GHA DRAFT COMMUNITY CARE POLICY / 13

15 10. CONFIDENTIALITY 10.1 All information given by customers in relation to this policy will be treated as strictly confidential and will not be discussed with third parties without their permission. GHA will comply with the requirements of the Access to Personal Files Act 1987 and the Data Protection Act 1998 in this regard. GHA expect that LHOs will comply similarly in relation to its own policy. GHA DRAFT COMMUNITY CARE POLICY / 14

16 11. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION 11.1 GHA is committed to a high level of customer satisfaction in the delivery of this Policy, seeking continuous improvement. Satisfaction with the full range of services provided by GHA will be measured regularly, including the effectiveness of the objectives of this policy, and results will be disseminated to tenants and other service users GHA expects a similar commitment to a high level of customer satisfaction, with similar action, to be shown by each LHO in the delivery of its own policy In addition, GHA will also carry out on-going customer satisfaction surveys, with the dissemination of results, into the effectiveness of the objectives of this policy. LHOs should act similarly, carrying out ongoing customer satisfaction surveys and disseminating results, into the effectiveness of the objectives of their own policies. GHA DRAFT COMMUNITY CARE POLICY / 15

17 12. PERFORMANCE MONITORING 12.1 In order to judge the success of this policy, GHA will put in place a system which monitors and measures GHA and LHO performance. Each LHO should also have in place a system which monitors and measures LHO performance against its own policy. GHA DRAFT COMMUNITY CARE POLICY / 16

18 13. POLICY REVIEWS/ CONSULTATION 13.1 GHA will review this policy every 3 years. More regular reviews will be considered where, for example, there is a need to respond to new legislation/policy guidance. Reviews will consider legislative, performance standard and good practice GHA has developed this policy in consultation with tenants, registered tenants groups and other service-users and account has been taken of representations made. Similar consultation will take place for all proposed policy reviews A summary of this policy will be published by GHA and will be displayed in GHA s reception area. LHOs are responsible for making available a summary of their own policies. GHA DRAFT COMMUNITY CARE POLICY / 17

19 14. LINKS WITH OTHER POLICIES This Community Care Policy has key links with the following: Housing and Community Care Strategy Asset Management Strategy Allocations Policy Adaptations Policy Furnished Let Policy Homelessness Policy Suite Housing People with Support Policy Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy Housing Information and Advice Policy Data Protection Policy Sheltered and Supported Housing Policies GHA DRAFT COMMUNITY CARE POLICY / 18