Supporting People

Supporting People

NI budget and welfare reform - ACT NOW!
   

The economic environment and the subsequent impact of the NI Budget and Welfare Reform cuts is laying the foundation for a housing crisis in Northern Ireland.

The Voluntary Sector Housing Policy Forum (VSHFP)  calls on political parties to recognise that access to decent housing is as fundamental to Northern Ireland as health and education.  In order to avert a crisis we need to ACT NOW

click here to read paper.
 
 

VSHPF - Housing Benefit briefing paper.

Voluntary Sector Housing Policy forum Briefing paper regarding the impact of Housing Benefit reform on people using support and homelessness services and consequently on the organisations providing them.  click here

 

 

***selected archived news***

 

CHNI respond to recent Ministerial consultation on budget priorities for the voluntary and community sector.

On the 10th August 2010, the Minister for Social Development, Alex Attwood, MLA, issued a letter containing a number of consultation questions, designed to ascertain the Community and Voluntary sector's views on budget priorities, how best to protect the vulnerable, and preserve the best of voluntary and community action.

CHNI invited its members to provide a response to form part of a collective submission. Our response, along with the Minister's letter are below.

CRISPP also provided a written response, see below.

 

 

CRISPP Annual Conference - presentations

CHNI Need your help!

2010 European year for combating poverty & social exclusion

CHNI need your help in putting together a booklet which will be presented to the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels in the Autumn of this year, as part of NI’s activities for 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. See flyer for more details.

 

 

rough sleepers & street drinkers event in Derry

Working Together to Deliver Effective Services To Rough Sleepers and Street Drinkers

As part of the implementation of the Rough Sleepers and Street Drinkers Strategy for Derry/Londonderry, the Council for the Homeless NI and De Paul Ireland hosted a good practice event of behalf of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Supporting People. The event was held at the Everglades Hotel, Derry, on Thursday 15th April 2010. 

The aim of the event was to provide stakeholders with:

  • an overview of the Rough Sleepers and Street Drinkers Strategy  and progress on implementation 
  • examples of national, regional and local good practice in delivering accommodation and support services to those who are homeless or at risk from homelessness as a result of an addiction
  • an opportunity for the wider sector to discuss issues in delivering services to those with addiction problems
  • Workshops will focus on practical issues including effective partnership working and delivering outcome focused services

Speakers included (click on link for presentation):

 

 

Vetting & Barring Scheme guidance

Full guidance about the Vetting and Barring Scheme is now available for download on the ISA website at: http://www.isa-gov.org.uk/PDF/VBS_guidance_ed1_2010.pdf. This document contains details on:

  • The scope of the Scheme;
  • Barring arrangements;
  • Responsibilities and duties for both employers and volunteer organisers, and the duties for those employees and volunteers;
  • Timescales for the phased implementation of the Scheme;
  • Explanation of transitional arrangements around Scheme introduction.

The guidance also covers those areas where the Scheme does not apply and discusses the points raised by Sir Roger Singleton when he reported into the boundaries of the Scheme in December 2009. This full guidance release will be followed by a suite of 'sector specific' guidance documents, which will show how the Scheme will be applied in different areas of work and volunteering activities. Please circulate the guidance as widely as possible within your sector/organisation. Source: DHSSPSNI
Back to top

More on full guidance on Vetting and Barring Scheme for organisations and individuals. The Home Office has now put online full guidance to help employers and voluntary groups implement the Vetting and Barring Scheme. It covers every aspect from who is covered to how the process works and the implementation timetable. Organisations are expected to start at http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/vbs, while employees or volunteers would find http://www.direct.gov.uk/vetting more appropriate. Hard copies of the guidance for those who do not have internet access are available via the VBS helpline on 0300 123 1111. Home Office news release at http://preview.tinyurl.com/yks84q4. Source: VolResource Newsletter No. 425    Back to top

ISA fact sheets (March 2010). The ISA has created a series of factsheets (http://www.isa-gov.org.uk/default.aspx?page=303) to explain in detail why we were set up and how we work. These sheets are available to download as pdfs. Please circulate as appropriate. Note the following links will open in a new window as pdfs.

Back to top

More ISA Factsheets

  • Explains the background to the Act and some of the details within it: ISA_A4_FactSheetNo1.pdf - http://www.divacare.co.uk/uploaded_files/ISA_A4_FactSheetNo1.pdf
  • Explains what the ISA is, its aims and objectives and its relation to the Criminal Records Bureau: ISA_A4_FactSheetNo2.pdf - http://www.divacare.co.uk/uploaded_files/ISA_A4_FactSheetNo2.pdf
  • Explains the terms ‘regulated’ and  ‘controlled’ activities as they relate to the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and to the work of the ISA: ISA_A4_FactSheetNo3.pdf -http://www.divacare.co.uk/uploaded_files/ISA_A4_FactSheetNo3.pdf
  • Explains what the Barred Lists are and how they work, including how we make barring decisions and how to appeal: ISA_A4_FactSheetNo4.pdf -http://www.divacare.co.uk/uploaded_files/ISA_A4_FactSheetNo4.pdf
  • Explains the new legislation that requires certain employers to refer information to the ISA and how we will deal with this information: ISA_A4_FactSheetNo5.pdf - http://www.divacare.co.uk/uploaded_files/ISA_A4_FactSheetNo5.pdf

    Back to top

 

Supporting People queries

Due to recent staff changes, if you have any questions relating to SP, please contact Bernie Heery, who is based at our North West office:

Bernie Heery  

Supporting People North West Officer
(based in Derry)

tel: 02871 366 363

click here to email

This month's News

none at present - will be updated accordingly (22 / 04 / 2010)

 

***For all the SP News click here***

Previous month's News

 

 NI Support Benchmarks – SITRA Feedback Survey

Calling all participants in the NI Support Benchmarks Project. You should all by now have received a feedback questionnaire from SITRA asking for an evaluation of the project.  If you have not already done so, can we ask you to take a minute to complete and return these forms ASAP.  We would especially urge you to do this if you thought the project was useful and worthwhile.  It will be possible for SITRA to separately analyse the NI feedback from the England feedback.  The more positive feedback we can get, the better the chances of persuading the NIHE to subsidise the project again next year.

 

 Supporting People Modernising Services & Business Improvement Project

Click here for document (powerpoint)

NI Support Benchmarks Project - extension to deadline


Notice to participants of extension to deadline for return of applications - Monday 17 November 2008

NIFHA / CHNI wish to confirm that the deadline for the NI Support Benchmarks Project has been extended from Monday 03 November 2008 to Monday 17 November 2008. This has been agreed with the facilitators SITRA, Housemark and the Natfed.

This extension is to provide a longer application period to promote submission of proposals from as many interested applicants as possible.

The guidance and application materials are available on the Internet via www.sitra.org.  If, after reading the guidance you still have any queries you can email: sitrahelpline@sitra.org

The NIHE is strongly encouraging all providers to participate in the project which is available free of charge to providers.  NIFHA / CHNI endorses this view.  The more organisations who participate the bigger the comparator set and therefore the direct relevance of reports to participants.

There is no charge to providers for taking part this year as the NIHE is funding it.  There is no guarantee though that they will fund it in future years.  They may be more likely to do so if there is sufficient participation in this year’s project. 

It is important to note that, although they are funding it, the NIHE will not have access to reports provided to participants.  A central element of the benchmarking project is provider confidentiality.
 
The project is managed through a partnership of SITRA, Housemark (CIH), and the Natfed.  It has been running successfully in England over the past 4 years where the organisers have received positive feedback from participants.  There were positive testimonials at the launch event from several providers who participated in the pilots for the project in Northern Ireland.  It has been endorsed by NIHE, CHNI and NIFHA. 

NI Assembly call on the Minister for Social Development to review the current SP budget

NI Assembly. Private Members’ Business
date: Tuesday 21 October 2008
topic: Supporting People Fund

On Tuesday 21 October 2008, the Northern Ireland Assembly, after listening to debate on a motion brought by Ms Anna Lo, MLA, called on the Minister for Social Development to review the current budget for the Supporting People fund to include inflationary increases, so that the programme’s existing sustainability and quality of service is not put at risk.

CHNI, on behalf of the sector, would like to extend thanks to all those who lobbied and worked hard to keep this issue firmly in the spotlight, and to acknowledge the support offered across all political parties, including Ms Lo.

CHNI will endevaour to keep it membership updated on any subsequent developments.

For full HANSARD transcript of the debate, click here

 

 

Changes to the backdating rules for Housing Benefit claims and SP payments

  NI Support Benchmarks.

Please note that the NI Support Benchmarks project for 08/09 was officially launched on 02/10/08.  This tool can measure cost, performance, quality standards, and user satisfaction (as measured in your organisation). All supported housing services are invited to take part in the project this year at no charge. 

This tool can help organisations to –

  • Develop their understanding of the balance between costs and quality
  • Scrutinise their costs more effectively
  • Increase their knowledge of the provider market
  • Identify the potential for changes and the scope, if any, for efficiencies

Download the guidance and spreadsheets from www.sitra.org

Advice from: sitrahelpline@sitra.org

The closing date is 03 November 2008

Supporting People Outcomes Options Report.

Supported outcomes - approach by Triangle Housing Association (presentation).

Supporting People Draft Communication Strategy Consultation joint NIFHA / CHNI response 

OUTCOMES FOR SUPPORTED HOUSING Provider Workshop 01/10/08

Briefing paper (joint response by CRISSP & CHNI): impact of the ‘Programme for  Government’ on SP budget for financial years 2008-11

 

SP Contacts (as of July 2008), Click here

Introduction to the principles of Information Law: A briefing paper for supported housing professionals.

This introductory document highlights the main legal issues that need to be born in mind by supported housing professionals when making decisions about information giving, sharing and keeping, while also pointing to where more detailed guidance can be found.

click here for copy (pdf format)

Making the Impact

The IMPACT Awards recognise and reward charities doing excellent work to improve people’s health. They are funded by GlaxoSmithKline and managed in partnership with The King’s Fund.

The awards are open to registered charities that are at least three years old, working in a health-related field in the UK, with a total annual income between £10,000 and £1 million.  Up to 20 awards are available ranging from £3,000 to £25,000. 

If you experience problems downloading any documents on this site please email gskenquiries@kingsfund.org.uk

SP Focus Group 24/09/08 - Further Change of Date and Venue!

In previous communications, we indicated that the next SP FG would be in Ballymena on 24 September. Unfortunately, we have had to change the venue and date of this meeting.

The details for the next SP Focus Group have been finalised as follows:

  • Date:       Wednesday 01 October
  • Time:      1pm – 3.30pm
  • Venue:   The Bann Room, Farset International, 466 Springfield Road, Belfast BT12 7DW

Click for directions

As indicated previously we plan to dedicate a substantial part of the meeting to discussing the provider’s perspective on outcomes.  Feedback will be given to SP. 

We will be joined by the following contributors who have experience in developing and implementing outcomes systems for supported housing

  • Catri O’Kane, Simon Federation Ireland.
  • George Sproule, Simon Northern Ireland
  • Kate Martin, Mulholland Aftercare Services

We sincerely hope that re-scheduling the meeting does not cause too much inconvenience and that a representative from your organisation will be available to participate in the session. 

We will not change the arrangements again!

 

Vetting & Barring Scheme: Oct 2009. Free Information Sessions

The new Vetting & Barring Scheme, established under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups legislation, will be fully operational from 12 October 2009.

In order to prepare employers, organisations, regulatory bodies and workers to undertake their responsibilities and requirements under the new scheme, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has commissioned the Volunteer Development Agency to deliver a series of Information Sessions between October 2008 and October 2009.  There is capacity for up to 80 participants at each session, so book early to avoid disappointment.    Most sessions will run from 9.30am to 1.00pm .  Details of sectors and locations are listed below, along with booking instructions.

Health, Education and Voluntary/Community Sectors sessions will be held in a number of locations.

Miscellaneous Groupings – only one session of each will be held:

  • Housing - Belfast
  • Sport - Belfast
  • Local Government - Antrim
  • Transport - Belfast
  • Faith communities – Belfast  

To book a place online visit: www.volunteering-ni.org/what_we__do/cp_svg_legislation.php. In order to book a place at one of these sessions, please identify the sector that is relevant to your needs and then click on the location.

For details of the legislation:  www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/svg

For more on ‘Child Protection’ info & training offered by Volunteering NI, click here.

If you are unable to book online, please contact: Julie-Ann Ashe at the VDA on 028 9081 8316 or julie-ann@volunteering-ni.org

Best practice in the public sector

The Northern Ireland Best Practice Scheme aims to highlight and share good practice from the public sector and is sponsored by the Department of Finance and Personnel’s Reform Delivery Unit. Two best practice events are coming up as follows:

  • Developing Effective Partnerships – hosted by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) at 9.30am on 12 September 2008 in The Housing Centre, 2 Adelaide Street, Belfast.
  • Effective ICT Partnerships – hosted by Belfast Model School for Girls on 18 September 2008 from 3.30pm to 6.30pm.

Please contact  Helena White on 028 9081 6030 or email: helena.white@dfpni.gov.uk for more information and to register or visit www.bestpracticeni.gov.uk. All Best Practice events are open to staff from public sector, voluntary and community organisations in Northern Ireland and are free of charge. 

Supporting People Modernising Services Project: 
Consultation on Draft SP Communications Strategy

The SP modernising services project team has drafted a communication strategy for SP. 

The document can be viewed here.

CHNI is part of the external consultation group for this document.  In order that  we can fully and accurately represent the views of our members on this issue it would be appreciated if members reviewed the document and forwarded feedback to us.  

SP has set a closing date of 19 September.  Therefore can we ask you to provide feedback on the relevant questions by 17 September.

SP hopes to implement this strategy before the end of the current calendar year. Please email or post responses to mchristy@chni.org.uk

Access NI delays

Please refer to the attached report which introduces temporary emergency arrangements to facilitate employment in certain areas of health and social care within strictly defined parameters, pending receipt of enhanced criminal record disclosure certificates requested from AccessNI. These are temporary arrangements only, introduced on an emergency basis. They will be terminated at a date appointed by the Department.  At this stage, it is intended that they will not extend beyond the end of 2008. Following termination of the temporary arrangements, existing legislative and policy requirements in this area will resume with immediate effect.

Click here for further information (Word Document)

  • Additional Information re: Access NI turnaround times and DHSSPS actions to alleviate delays. Please click on the following links:

 DHSPSS Letter and NIO letter

 

  • NIFHA Newsletter (POSH) Autumn 2008: Access NI - emergency arrangements

Temporary emergency arrangements to facilitate employment in certain areas of health and social care within strictly defined parameters, pending receipt of enhanced criminal record disclosure certificates requested from AccessNI have been introduced. They will be terminated at a date appointed by the Department.  It is intended that these measures will not extend beyond the end of 2008. Following termination of the temporary arrangements, existing legislative and policy requirements in this area will resume with immediate effect.  Full details of the arrangements: Temporary emergency Access NI arrangements _August 08.

Previous / recent News

 

IMPORTANT!! NIHE Change Language Interpretation Provider. New details issued

***For all the SP News click here***
For more on SP

www.nihe.gov.uk/index/wwu_home/supporting_people-3.htm