Northern Housing Consortium - Briefings, Reports & Toolkits

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Briefings, Reports and Toolkits

Briefings, Reports and toolkits are listed below. Please click the relevant link to view in adobe acrobat reader. If you do not have adobe acrobat reader you can download it here.

April 2009

Joining up strategic needs assessments across housing, health and social care - NHC/ILN Review
The Northern Housing Consortium is beginning a review of the links being made between strategic housing assessments and Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) across the three northern regions.

JSNA, introduced in April 2008, is about people and the places where they live. It brings local authorities, PCT's and local partners together to generate a shared view of local needs and service provision across the whole population, and jointly design interventions that will lead to better health and well-being with particular attention to the most excluded. A NHC briefing paper, published in April 2008, outlining the scope of JSNA and thoughts around the role of the housing sector can be found here.

Hopefully, many of you have been involved in JSNA in your areas, particularly given the inequalities that northern communities face, and the very well known connections between poor housing and poor health and well-being. National research due to be published this week by the IDeA, will show that the involvement of local partners has been patchy. One year on local authorities and PCT's will be looking at whether they engaged the right mix of partners in the first iteration of the JSNA. This, coupled with the contribution that JSNA will make to area based assessment/funding, provides an opportunity to strengthen partnership working in the year ahead. It is therefore very important for us to understand how JSNA is being used as a tool to involve the housing sector, and the challenges and opportunities across a range of geographies and types of authority.

We will now carry out a series of interviews/discussions with housing/housing support leads, and where possible their health counterparts, alongside a desk top review of a selection of JSNA's throughout May - July with a view to publishing our final report in the autumn. We hope that this review will contribute to a national picture of housing sector engagement with JSNA and will raise the profile of the role of the housing sector as a key partner to the health and social care sector.

For further information, or to take part in the review please contact Sarah Taylor.

November 2008

Age Friendly Communities in the North

The Northern Housing Consortium is coming to the end of a 2 year multi-disciplinary project to build a holistic picture of what an 'Age Friendly Community in the North' might look like in the year 2020 and beyond.

Outputs from the project include a discussion paper on the concept of Inclusive Design and the role it can play in responding to and capitalising on, the North's changing markets, a paper on International Approaches and an Age Friendly Communities Early Findings Report based on consultation with over 400 older and younger people around the North. We want these early findings to promote debate on the challenges and opportunities presented by population ageing and to raise questions on 'what we need to do differently'. Working in partnership with Peter Fletcher Associates the NHC has also developed Making your Sheltered Housing stock and service fit for purpose which is a pick and mix menu of service options to choose from including property surveys, resident surveys, option appraisal and business planning.

The Consortium is now consulting member organisations and their stakeholders on the opportunities and the very real challenges they face in the delivery of Age Friendly Communities. This consultation will inform a series of recommendations on the steps that organisations can take to deliver age friendly communities in the north. The project has been very positively welcomed by CLG, by our members and their stakeholders. We look forward to publishing the final report in the autumn 2009. For further information please contact Sarah Taylor.

Homelessness prevention and debt - out of the shadows and into the limelight
In these strange days of the credit crunch, building society crashes, and grave warnings about recession; homelessness (and the need to prevent it) has come to the fore in a way not seen since the era of hundreds of families languishing in Bed & Breakfast. Gone are the days when homeless managers could sit comfortably in sector meetings, knowing that no-one else in the authority was taking much (if any) notice of them and their work.

Deliberations on how to face head-on the challenge of the increase in repossessions are bringing homelessness managers into contact with other teams right across the authority and beyond. Housing Associations are offering their help; DWP and Housing Benefits are focusing their minds on what they can do, and Council finance managers are digging into their pockets to support the joint work to prevent another explosion of the use of B&B.

This briefing paper summarises the key measures being taken, to tackle long term homelessness in the current climate. Preventing the crisis of homelessness will be explored further at the NHC's annual Homelessness conference on 1st October 2008 at York .

August 2008

Making your Sheltered Housing stock and service fit for purpose - the challenge for sheltered housing providers

Working in conjunction with Peter Fletcher Associates the Northern Housing Consortium is delighted to launch a package of practical help and support tools specifically designed for sheltered housing providers, with a discount on the published prices for members of the Northern Housing Consortium.

The aspirations of older people are changing, and increasingly sheltered housing providers face issues of lettability and stock condition. This has led to many providers identifying the need to appraise their sheltered stock and service to ensure sustainability.

We understand that needs differ greatly from provider to provider, and so we have developed a pick and mix menu of service options to choose from including property surveys, resident surveys, option appraisal and business planning.

To download a brochure detailing the support tools available and the costs please click on the link below:-

Making your Sheltered Housing stock and service fit for purpose

If you wish to discuss these options further and learn how you can obtain the Northern Housing Consortium discount, please contact:

Avis Duncan, Peter Fletcher Associates Sarah Taylor, Northern Housing Consortium

01434 684944 0191 5661000

info@peterfletcherassociates.co.uk Sarah.taylor@northern-consortium.org.uk

www.peterfletcherassociates.co.uk

May 2008

Social Housing and Worklessness: key policy messages
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWPs) commissioned the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research at Sheffield Hallam University to carry out research work to explore possible explanations for the relatively high levels of worklessness among tenants in social housing. Following the completion of this research, the DWPs recently published the 'Social housing and worklessness: key policy messages report' www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rports2007-2008/rrep482.pdf

Key messages raised in the report are as follows:

Sub-market rents represent a work incentive, as does the security of tenure provided by the social housing sector, but the social housing system is not run in a way that seeks to maximise this potential
There is significant potential for social landlords to support greater labour market participation among their tenants.
It is unlikely that efforts to diversify the social mix in existing areas of social housing will have a substantial impact on levels of worklessness, without also taking effective steps to improve the incomes and to promote the livelihood of existing tenants.
Desirability of moving to a single system of working age benefits and the need for integrated service provision to support social tenants into work.

The Northern Housing Consortium is producing a briefing paper for members on housing and worklessness and seeks feedback from Consortium members on the role that housing can play in supporting employment among their tenants and the steps they are currently taking to support greater labour market participation. For more information contact helen.kerridge@northern-consortium.org.uk.

April 2008

Inclusive Design: how a simple potato peeler can help you revolutionise your housing service
The north's housing markets are changing - the population is ageing and we can expect radical changes in lifestyle and expectations in the future. This discussion paper considers the concept of Inclusive Design - a process which ensures that products and services address the needs of the widest possible audience, regardless of age or ability. Familiar and popular items such as the 'good grips' potato peeler and trolley style suitcase have been created using the principles of Inclusive Design, enabling these products to not only meet the needs of older and disabled people but a wide audience of consumers willing to pay for products which are stylish, convenient and easy to use.

Inclusive Design has risen up the policy agenda following the launch of the National Strategy for Housing in an Ageing Society to become the subject of much debate in the housing sector. But how can the principles of Inclusive Design help you to create homes, neighbourhoods and services which not only respond to, but importantly capitalise upon, the north's changing markets? Where can we see Inclusive Design in practice and what are the key questions we need to ask?

This paper is the first of a series of discussion and findings papers to be published as part of the development work for our 'Age Friendly Community' design project. The paper seeks feedback and input from members and the wider housing community into the project and ensures that the full breadth of issues you are facing will be tackled through the project. For more information contact Sarah Taylor, Policy and Practice Development Manager.

March 2008

Joint Strategic Needs Assessment
The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill received royal assent in October 2007 bringing a duty for local authorities and PCT's to jointly produce a joint strategic needs assessment (JSNA) from April 2008. The JSNA is defined as "joint analysis of predicted health and well-being outcomes, what the community wants and a view of future needs". Taking a whole population focus, the JSNA will provide the evidence base to inform the commissioning and delivery of appropriate services and will support the personalisation agenda. This NHC briefing outlines the role of JSNA and some of the early implications for NHC members including the need to engage with the JSNA process, the use of the findings to plan their own interventions and targeting of resources, and the implications for market development.

February 2008

Disabled Facilities Grant- The Package of Changes to Modernise the Programme Briefing Paper
The Government released its plans to update and improve the delivery of the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) programme on the 25th February 2008. The proposed changes include: tackling the complexity of the system and the bureaucratic nature of the process, speeding up the delivery of a DFG and tailoring the service to individual needs. These plans can be downloaded from the CLG website.

The NHC's briefing paper summarises the Government's key measures for change to improve the delivery of the DFG programme. These measures will be explored further at the NHC's annual Housing Adaptations conference on 1st May 2008 at York Racecourse.

January 2008

National Dementia Strategy
There are currently 700,000 people with dementia in the UK and this figure is forecast to increase to over 1 million people by 2025 and 1.7 million by 2051. The Government has recognised that dementia is a growing problem and because of this the first ever National Dementia Strategy for England will be published in October this year.

The Consortium will be attending a listening and engagement event in February, held by the Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP), which will inform the content of the Strategy. In order to ensure we are able to represent our members effectively at this event, the Consortium is keen to hear your opinions on this issue and about any examples of good practice in this area so that we can contribute to the development of the National Dementia Strategy.

This briefing paper prepared by the Northern Housing Consortium takes a look at the plans for the Strategy and seeks feedback from Consortium members on the role that housing can play in improving provision and services for people living with this condition. We would ask you to take the time to read the briefing paper and respond to the questions in it so that we can take a comprehensive and representative view from the social housing sector to the listening event and ensure that housing's contribution is recognised within the Strategy.

If you are interested in attending any of the listening events for the Strategy further details can be found in the briefing paper. Responses to the briefing should be emailed by Friday 8th February to Sarah Taylor, Policy & Practice Development Manager (sarah.taylor@northern-consortium.org.uk).

English Indices of Deprivation 2007
Communities and Local Government (CLG) published the new Indices of Deprivation 2007 (IMD 2007) following an extensive public consultation. Due to data being reported at consistent boundaries after the introduction of Super Output Areas, this is the first time comparisons can be made to the previous indices (produced in 2004). This offers the opportunity to compare how levels of deprivation have changed in the interim period and it is the purpose of this NHC Briefing Paper to show where in the north high and low levels of deprivation exist and where improvements have been made since 2004.

December 2007

Putting People First Briefing Paper
The government has announced a radical transformation of adult social care aimed at driving forward the personalisation agenda. This NHC briefing outlines the key themes and provides analysis of the likely implications for commisisoners and providers. Putting People First was published on 10^th December 2007 by the Department of Health marks the first stage in the transformation of adult social care. This is an important policy announcement for Northern Housing Consortium members as it supports the sector to work across shared agendas with users and carers and will have implications for the commissioning and delivery of support services.

November 2007

Building Strength Through Community Ownership
The NHC's latest publication was launched at the Northern Housing Summit on 20th November. As a route to empowering communities and developing thriving local economies, community ownership of assets, is a policy area which we will be hearing much more of in the future."Building Strength Through Community Ownership" highlights the role of the social housing sector in supporting communities to own and manage assets. Community ownership is an important agenda for our members, and the wider social housing sector, to engage with and our experience of partnership working and sustainable communities puts us in a prime position to take this agenda forward. Using a series of case studies including community land trusts, social enterprises and development trusts, the publication seeks to inspire readers to imagine how community ownership can real add value to their communities and their organisations whilst meeting the challenges of a changing policy environment.

August 2007

In Work, Better Off: Next steps to full employment Briefing Paper
The DWP Green Paper: In Work, Better Off: Next Steps to Full Employment, was published on 18 July 2007 setting out the governments vision for achieving 80% employment and represents a step change in approach which will have significant implications for members. The reforms have clear implications from a northern housing perspective in terms of the impact they will have on tenants income levels and the need to develop financial inclusion strategies and appropriate support for tenants. However, there are a number of positives including the clear link with our work on sustainable communities and opportunities for partnership work particularly for Supporting People providers.

This briefing paper is intended to provide analysis and commentary to assist Northern Housing Consortium members to understand, prepare for and respond to the reforms set out in the green paper.

June 2007

Tenant Empowerment Consultation - NHC Summary
Communities and Local Government launched the consultation document, Tenant Empowerment, on 19th June setting out proposals to increase tenant empowerment within social housing. This brief summary of the consultation, prepared by NHC, outlines the key issues proposed in the consultation, including:
- A new draft Statutory Instrument to simplify the Right to Manage regulations for local authority tenants;
- A proposal to promote a voluntary Tenant Management process for all social housing tenants and landlords;
- A proposal to establish a National Tenant Voice; and
- Proposals to increase tenant voice in stock transfers.

May 2007

Commissioning Framework for Health and Wellbeing
This briefing paper outlines the key features of the Commissioning Framework for Health and Wellbeing which was launched on 6th March, by the Secretary of State for Health, Patricia Hewitt MP. This document has been long awaited and has far reaching implications for both Health and Local Government during the next few years. The framework outlines 8 steps to more effective commissioning and demonstrates how local commissioners can improve health and well-being by providing personalised, preventative services, proactively working in partnership and focussing on outcomes for the individual. The framework ultimately aims to give power to individuals and communities but requires a significant cultural shift for successful delivery. The NHC submitted a response to the framework, and we await the final documment later this summer.

April 2007

Mental Capacity Act Briefing Paper
This short briefing paper outlines the key features of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and some of the early implications for housing care and support. The Act, whichcameinto force in England in April, introduces a major overhaul of the law relating to individuals who lack capacity in decision making, particularly around changes in accommodation. The Act introduces a legal obligation on health and social care commissioners to jointly commission advocacy services andis expectedto have significant implications for the provision of supported housing, care and support services. Further details on the Act can be accessed via http://www.dca.gov.uk/menincap/legis.htm

November 2006

Housing and Healthier Communities: Making a difference to our communities
This document focuses on the 'softer' side of health providing case study examples of how social housing providers in England are playing a part in improving the health of their tenants and the general community through healthy eating, sport and exercise initiatives. This publication is intended to provide social housing providers with ideas and inspiration for what they can do to better the health of their residents and the community at large. To request a hard copy of this publication please email enquiries@northern-consortium.org.uk