Contact:
  • Supporting People Team
  • Address:

    Po Box 3343

    Bath

    BA1 2ZH

  • E-mail:
    supporting_peopleteam@bathnes.gov.uk
  • Telephone:
    01225 477000
  • Fax:
    01225 396268
  • Minicom:
    -
  • Page Updated:
    22/11/2008
  • Author:
    Lisa Matthews
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Supporting People Service Review

Service: Sheltered Housing (Alarm Only Schemes). Service Address: Govenors House, Stuart Place, Bath, BA2 3RG. Service ID Number: 6. Service Provider: Guinness Housing Association. Service Provider Address: 17 Mendy Street, High Wycombe, SP11 2NZ. National ID Number 10000295. Date: April 2005. Review Officer: Simon Dicker on behalf of Bath & NE Somerset Supporting People Team.

1. Report Summary

The review of the Governors House was conducted by Simon Dicker on behalf of Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) Supporting People Team. The review found the service to be strategically relevant to B&NES Supporting People programme and value for money. The service was assessed at level C in all areas of the Quality Assessment Framework the requirement for Alarm only services, as laid out by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM). Service users are pleased with the accommodation and the alarm service they receive.

Service type and capacity:

Alarm Only Sheltered Units

(Governors House 24 Units)

Annual Contract Value:

Block Subsidy Contract

Max Value at 100% Usage

 £4155.84



 

2. Introduction to Agency

Guinness Trust is a national provider of Care and Support to Older People. Schemes in Bath are managed via the Regional Office in Bristol, but a local office at Chelwood Drive supports the scheme via Housing Officers and administrators.

2.1 Brief History

Governors House is based in the East Twerton quiet residential area of Bath and North East Somerset. It is well served by public transport and close to the shops and facilities in Oldfield Park, residents parking is available at the building.

2.2 Capacity

Units:                          24

Total Units                24

Staff Hours:             None (Alarm Only)

2.3 Monitoring Information

Alarm only services are exempt from monitoring requirements.

2.4 Existing Funding

Supporting People funding

Currently paying 14 units at £3.33 each

at 100% Occupancy

Adult Care funding (SSD)

£0

£0

Total Cost p.a.

£2,424.24

£4,155.84



 

3. Strategic Relevance

The service offers a community alarm only. There are no staffed support hours beyond this. The demand for community alarms supports contract renewal, given the popularity of the accommodation and its suitability for older people.

4. Legal / ODPM Guidance on group and type of service

There is no specific guidance for this service. The only notable deviation from other reviews was the use of the QAF lite, although in practice this did not reduce the administrative burden for the provider significantly.

5. Quality Assessment Framework (QAF) Outcomes

The objectives were assessed using the QAF lite as follows:

QAF Objective

Self Assessed Score

Validated Score

C1.3 Security, Health and Safety

C

C

C1.4 Protection from Abuse

C

C

C1.5 Fair Access, Diversity and Inclusion

C

C

C1.6 Complaints

C

C

6. Consultation with Service Users

The premises were visited on 12th April jointly with Lynn Tuttle, Housing Officer for Guinness Trust.

6.1 Consultation Findings

A sample of residents were asked in regard of their satisfaction of the alarm service. There were nothing other than positive comments; although some residents had never had cause to use them, all appreciated the security of knowing that they were there in the event of being needed.

 

7. Evidence and Risk Assessment

There are no associated risks to this service.

8. Value for Money

Caernwell Place (Alarm Only)

Cost per unit (to Supporting People) per week:        £3.33

Regional Lower Quartile:                 £4.84                                                 

Regional Upper Quartile:                 £17.72                                   

(Drawn from 1527 Comparable services regionally, however these are costs for sheltered housing including those with warden support.)           

National Lower Quartile:                   £5.03                                             

National Upper Quartile:                   £16.65                                   

(Drawn from 13590 Comparable Services Nationally, however these are costs for sheltered housing including those with warden support)

There are no conclusions drawn from the value for money comparators, other than it would appear that Guinness alarm only costs are amongst the lowest in the country).

9. Review Outcome / Recommendations and Impact

Governors House

1.   The review recommends contract renewal at a minimum of the same   unit cost.

2.    To continue to maintain a level C for the Quality Assessment Framework.

10. Action Plan (completed by the Provider) to address points 1 – 2 above