Responsible Service 

Adult Health and Social Care

What is the policy/strategy/function/ trying to achieve / do?

North Lanarkshire Council currently fund five Registered Social Landlords to deliver a range of Housing Support services within sheltered/very sheltered/supported housing developments. This funding is under review as it was originally awarded through the Supporting People grant which has since been disbanded. Mainstream social work funding has been temporarily filling this funding gap. Contracts with Registered Social Landlords expired in 2016/17.  

As part of this review North Lanarkshire Council is committed to further embedding the principles of Self-Directed Support as outlined in the Social Care (Self Directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 to ensure that citizens have the opportunity for a greater degree of choice and control over any care and support they may be assessed as requiring. 

The review will scope the nature of the Housing Support service being delivered, how this is accessed and by whom as well as any duplications and gaps in services. 

If this is a budget saving, how will the saving be achieved? 

Budget saving has not been the catalyst for this review. 

If this policy is subject to the FSD what does it suggest about the impact or potential impact on socio-economic disadvantage? (please refer to FSD Interim Guidance) 

N/A 

Give details of the impact it has on groups and individuals  

Older people and people with disabilities are more likely to access sheltered/very sheltered/supported housing. Services currently have varying levels of housing support provision available which encompasses on site staffing. This housing support service will not be available and there will be lesser on-site staffing. 

There is no adverse impact noted under any other protected characteristic or any other vulnerable groups. 

What actions / measures will be put in place or are planned to mitigate any adverse impact or promote equality?  

Older people and people with disabilities residing within developments will continue to have access to bespoke packages of support in line with the ethos of Self-Directed Support. They will be supported to access community resources and facilities where this is required.  These supports will be aligned to the needs and preferences of each person rather than to the group. 

Older people and people with disabilities will have clearer pathways for accessing the right support at the right time due to the streamlining of currently duplicated services. 

What is the result/ recommendations of the EqIA?

Replacement of current model with individual support arrangements.