Supporting People Programme Update

Background DSD – Policy Holders of the Supporting People Programme Programme running for 9 years DSD provide funding to the Housing Executive to administer the programme Current Budget £65m Programme aim – to help vulnerable people live as independently as possible through the provision of Housing Support Services

Background Continued In 2009, Housing Division carried out an evaluation of the administration of the Supporting People Programme There had never been any form of evaluation of the administration of the Supporting People programme. The evaluation was to help determine if the programme was meeting Government requirements in terms of governance, value for money and meeting the overall policy intention to improve the lives of vulnerable people and assist independent living 13 Recommendations coming out of the evaluation

Background Continued 5 Headline Recommendations relevant to providers. These are; -The Department to develop detailed guidance on the terms and conditions of eligible/ineligible costs for Supporting People Grant and will also include guidance on restricted reserves i.e. unspent SP funding -The Housing Executive to develop the new Supporting People strategy in consultation with the Department, partner statutory bodies, voluntary sector, providers and service users. The strategy must show links to agreed policy and funding priorities across all partnerships. -Officials from Department, Housing Executive, Department for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Regulation Quality and Improvement Authority and the Charities Commission to discuss a regulatory framework for Supporting People

Background Continued - The Department to seek and agree clarification from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety of the nature of ‘Housing Support’ and ‘Personal Care’ services. -Officials from the Department to commence high level discussions with the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety on the feasibility of transferring Supporting People funding to schemes where a predominantly personal care service is being delivered.

Current Position GUIDANCE – Due to be issued April 2012 SP STRATEGY – On hold due to; -Independent Review of Commissioning Body – interim report expected March DSD Bamford Taskforce REGULATORY FRAMEWORK -DSD/Housing Division are committed to progressing a regulatory framework for all Supported Living Schemes -Housing Division have already had exploratory discussions with RQIA to discuss some of the issues/concerns;

Current Position HOUSING SUPPORT/PERSONAL CARE -DSD/DHSSPS to agree definition of; Housing Support / Independent Living / Personal Care SUPPORTING PEOPLE FUNDING TRANSFER -DSD Bamford Taskforce – Alignment of Funding

Ongoing Work Housing Strategy –Review of Supporting People Programme Procurement of SP Services NIHE Review Review of Adult Social Care