Sanctuary Housing Association Accommodation based services in Adur and Arun Service Specification for a Housing Support Contract Aims To provide a housing support service to customers for the purpose of developing that person s capacity to live independently in accommodation or sustaining their capacity to do so. To work with customers and other relevant agencies to provide support and a planned approach to resettlement/move on where the needs arise. To provide a service that prevents the loss of accommodation and avoids the unnecessary use of higher intensity services. Housing support services are complimentary to but not intended to replace social care. Values Equal Opportunities and Diversity The service will: Be inclusive and sensitive to individual needs and aspirations Take the customer at his or her starting point and provide a service that is appropriate to their stage in development Involve the customer in decision making Form part of a framework of quality services that fit coherently together Develop through national research evidence and local knowledge of best practice Provide fair access and equal treatment Be respectful of customers and where appropriate, their families. The service will seek to ensure that it respects and includes everyone regardless of their: gender or gender reassignment marital status (including civil partnership) sexual orientation race, language, ethnic or national origins and nationality (including citizenship) religious belief disability and / or medical conditions age whether they have dependants trade union membership status and activity or political views/affiliations 1
Strategic Relevance Funding Outcomes Monitoring The service will meet the requirements of the West Sussex Housing Related Support Strategy 2012 15 The contract is dependant on the organisation achieving and maintaining West Sussex County Council accreditation status. The service provider is required to demonstrate that customer outcomes are being achieved through the provision of outcome monitoring data in line with what was the Supporting People Outcomes Framework: 1. Achieve economic well- being Maximise income, including receipt of right benefits Reduce overall debt Obtain paid work/participate in paid work 2. Enjoy and Achieve Participate in chosen training and or education and where applicable achieving desired qualifications Participate in chosen leisure/cultural/faith/informal learning activates Participate in chosen work like/voluntary/unpaid work activities Establish contact with external service/family/friends 3. Be Healthy Better manage physical health Better manage mental health Better manage substance misuse Better manage independent living as a result of assistive technology/ aids or adaptations 4. Stay Safe Maintain accommodation and avoid eviction Comply with statutory orders and processes (in relation to offending behaviour) Better manage self harm, avoid causing harm to others, minimise harm/risk of harm from others 5. Make a Positive Contribution Greater choice and/or involvement and/or control at service level and within wider community 2
Key Performance Monitoring and Service Performance Indicators Quality Standards Customer and Stakeholder Involvement The service provider will provide information on customer experiences, journeys and outcomes as detailed Schedule B Please see Schedule B The service will demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement and will be subject to regular contract review. The service will actively encourage customer consultation and involvement with regard to the service, including the following areas: - Policy making and changes - Monitoring of service delivery - Service improvements and changes - Major changes to the support service. The service will be subject to the organisation s policy for customer involvement. The service will establish strong working relationships with key stakeholders such as District and Borough Councils, Probation services, Social Care and Health services. 3
Referrals Services designated as direct access can accept referrals directly to the service by self-referral or any referral agency with the customer s permission. All other services will accept referrals from agencies such as: - Relevant District/Borough Council Housing Needs - Local Housing Associations - Local Housing Support Providers - Local Voluntary Sector and Statutory Agencies The service will have a clear admissions policy that is shared with key referral agencies and stakeholders and subject to regular review. All referrals will undergo an assessment of needs, risk assessment and eligibility for services. Safeguarding/Serious and Untoward Incidents Support Planning SPECIFIC SERVICE DETAILS Service Description The provider will ensure that all staff are trained and have a thorough understanding of Adult and Children s safeguarding issues and will implement local policies and procedures. The provider will ensure that all staff are trained and have a thorough understanding of West Sussex County Council s Serious and Untoward Incident policy. The provider will ensure that every customer supported by the service has a support plan which is reviewed regularly and where appropriate, a key worker. The service is for 36 customers with housing support needs living in the Adur and Arun area of West Sussex. The service to be delivered is accommodation based Within the 36, 2 bed spaces will be designated as Quick Access for homeless 16/17 year olds. See Schedule E. Service users will have access to an on call service/ emergency and/or crisis helplines. 4
Accommodation Details Shared accommodation provides an individual lockable room with shared bathroom and kitchen facilities, with a communal area. Current properties include: Property Lancing (Adur) Shoreham (Adur) Bognor Regis (Arun) Units Property owner 7 Sanctuary 10 Sanctuary 11 Sanctuary Self-contained accommodation provides an individual flat with individual bathroom and kitchen facilities for the service user. Current properties include: Property Southwick Southwick Southwick Lancing Lancing Units Property owner 1 Sanctuary 1 Sanctuary 2 Sanctuary 2 Sanctuary 2 Sanctuary Each unit has a number and a lockable front door, which can only be accessed by the support provider, landlord or property owner in cases of emergency. Sanctuary Housing Association will perform all landlord functions such as: collecting rent dealing with rent arrears maintenance issues repairs tenancy regulations anti-social behaviour 5
Sanctuary Housing Association will provide the housing related support, as agreed and contracted with by West Sussex Supporting People team. Support Levels There are 2 levels of support within this contract: Level 1: Accommodation based, high level support at and Sleep in cover is provided at these properties. Each unit has an average of 8 hours of support per week. Level 2: Resettlement support at the self-contained flats in Adur and through outreach to customers moving out of in Arun. Each unit has an average of 3 hours of support per week. 6
Staffing The staffing composition for the housing support service is: Manager support hours 52.50hours per week Front line support hours 248.00 hours per week Total hours 300.50 hours per week A standard FTE working week is 39 hours for frontline staff, 37.5 for managers. The service provider will be responsible for the recruitment, training, support and supervision of staff and ensure staff maintain high standards of professional behaviour and job performance. Each staff role will be subject to a job description. Staff with front line access to service users will be subject to an enhanced CRB check. Funding Details Staff will be provided with regular supervision and appraisal in accordance with the organisation s policies for supervision and appraisal and team meetings will be held regularly. Cost of Service The total annual cost of the housing support service is 304,700 This will be implemented from 1 st January 2013 Hourly Rate The agreed hourly rate is 19.45 Service Hours 300.50 hours per week will be available in total including administration, travel and management time. Cost of Sanctuary Quick Access Bed service The total annual cost of the service is 24, 684.94 ( 12, 342.47 per bed space) The total annual cost of main service and the quick access bed service is 329, 384.94 User Group The primary client group is vulnerable young people vulnerable (16-25) The Foyer has an important role to play in supporting the local authority to meet its obligations under the Southwark judgment for 16/17 year olds in the Chichester and Arun areas. 7
Eligibility Criteria Customers must be aged 16 25 at entry into the service. Customers can be in priority need or non-priority need for housing. They should have a local connection to Arun or Adur as appropriate. If no customers are eligible for a current vacancy then a local connection to one of the other six district and boroughs, with agreement from the host authority, can be pursued. Customers must be willing to accept support as a condition of the licence / tenancy or support agreement. 8