Capita Software Services today announces the results of its Supporting People housing survey which highlights the sector’s aspirations and concerns for the next 12 months. According to its respondents from local authorities and housing associations, 74% are concerned about the closure of services in regards to delivering effective Supporting People services over the next 12 - 18 months, while 36% have already experienced a significant reduction in their Supporting People budget since the removal of ring-fenced funding in 2009.
However, over 91% believe Supporting People services are integral to and complement other key social agendas with nearly 45% believing that during the next 18 months, Supporting People services will evolve to include adult social care.
These findings are released following Capita’s second annual housing conference, held on 8 and 9 July 2010. During the conference, key individuals from across the sector – from local authorities and housing associations to charities and software providers – focused heavily on the challenges ahead and offered opinion on long term solutions to benefit citizens.
Roger Birkinshaw, director of housing, Capita Software Services, commented: “This survey and our housing conference have been invaluable in providing us with even greater insight into the needs and concerns of all involved in the housing sector. We can’t escape from the fact that painful decisions will have to be made with regard to funding and resourcing but we should also recognise that the sector has so much potential for development and growth which isn’t currently being realised.”
The housing conference was mediated by the chairman of Building for Life and co-founder of fashion label Red or Dead, Wayne Hemingway. Wayne underlined the importance of considering the ‘livability’ of places and how housing developments should focus on being “citizen-centric” helping to create social sustainability, and this requires economic stability.
Gill Leng, director at GLSH Limited, supported this view by noting how the housing sector is today involved in much more that bricks and mortar; it’s about making a difference to people’s lives.
Domini Gunn, lead housing inspector, The Audit Commission, spoke on the topic of profiling social housing tenants because there is a different type of claimant coming through the system, presenting different aspirations in regard to housing; adding there exists a real opportunity for a good IT solution to map this with customers. She also touched on the topic of listening to tenants and how comments and complaints should be encouraged as this shows that tenants are confident enough to challenge the service. The sector should use this to drive improvements.
During the conference, Nick Hewer, Lord Alan Sugar’s right hand man on The Apprentice and patron of Hope and Homes for Children, discussed his work with the charity while other speakers also contributed valuable opinions throughout the day including Rachael Byrne of Home Group, Michelle Read of the Tenant Participation Advisory Service and David Bishop from Microsoft.
A substantial exhibition area supported the conference, headlined by chief sponsor OPENtext and showcased an exclusive look at the new Motorola ES400. The first time it has been seen at a public event in the UK, this semi-ruggedised mobile device created quite a stir amongst the delegates.
Other interesting findings revealed by the survey include the fact that over 30% believe that older people services will be cut over the next 12 months to make necessary savings; over 55% don’t believe the personalisation agenda has made any difference to Supporting People services; and nearly 20% are planning on implementing SMS over the next 12-18 months in order to enhance service delivery.
The survey was held in conjunction with Inside Housing magazine.
IMAGES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST Read more about Supporting People at Inside Housing