Supporting People - Jargon Busting
Supporting People, like all subjects these days, comes with its very own terminology, phrases, abbreviations and 'buzz words'. To help you with this new 'language' the main terms used in Supporting People are explained below.
Accredication
This is the formal way of assessing the support provider to see if they are able to provide a good quality Supporting People service. Amongst other things their financial viability, competency and capability are checked.
Administering Local Authority (AA)
The AA is the local authority which receives and administers the Supporting People Grant.
Benchmarking
The cost, quality and performance of similar services are compared.
Best Value
The quality of the service is looked at along with the cost.
Block Contract
Means the purchasing by the Supporting People team of support services for more than one person, usually in advance of the service being delivered.
Block Gross Contract
A short term support service contract, for example less than two years, for a fixed number of service users.
Block Subsidy Contract
A long term or permanent support service contract, for example for sheltered housing. The number of service users may vary with providers telling the Supporting People Team on a regular basis who has moved in and out of the service. Payments to the provider vary according to the number of eligible people receiving the support service.
BME
Refers to people from a Black Minority Ethnic background.
Client Group
A classification or category grouping together people with similar needs or backgrounds, for example 'people with alcohol or drug problems' or 'older people'. The categories help the Supporting People team monitor services and identify where there may be a need for new services.
Commissioning Body
The Commissioning Body in Poole is a partnership of voting members representing the National Probation Service
, Health (the Primary Care Trust) and the Borough of Poole, these agencies are responsible for managing the Supporting People grant.
Cross Authority Group (CAG)
Neighbouring authorities working together to plan and develop policies and services. Poole works with both Bournemouth, Dorset and Somerset Administering Authorities on cross authority issues.
Cross Authority Issues
Matters related to services that cross authority boundaries. These include assessing needs and supply for services, strategic planning, funding, monitoring, reviewing and decision making. These issues are discussed at the Cross Authority Group and the local Commissioning Bodies.
Domestic Violence (DV)
Domestic Violence.
Fairer Charging
For chargeable services a Fairer Charging financial assessment can be done for service users who do not qualify for Housing Benefit. It is a locally set means test that will be used to assess how much, if anything, service users have to pay for their support service.
Five Year Strategy
A plan which sets out the local Supporting People vision and objectives along with the plan for achieving these. Five Year Strategy
Floating Support
This kind of support is 'attached' to the person, not the property and can follow a service user if they move to another address. It only lasts for as long as the client needs it, then 'floats away'. The client does not have to live at a certain address to receive the support.
Home Improvement Agency (HIA)
An agency which offers advice, advocacy and help in assessing the source of funding and technical issues around repairs.
Housing Benefit
Private or Council tenants who need financial help paying their rents undergo means testing and can be awarded this state benefit.
Housing Related Support
Support services which aim to help people to establish themselves, or stay, in their own homes. Help with managing money, personal admin, legal matters and social networks and relationships are all examples of housing related support.
Kweb
The Department for Communities & Local Government administers the Kweb
Department for Communities & Local Government (DCLG)
The DCLG is the Government Department which oversees the Supporting People programme nationally.
Performance Indicators (PIs)
Support providers are required to submit quarterly performance statistics to the Supporting People team regarding their service(s). These performance indicators form part of their contract and help with quality monitoring.
Primary Care Trust (PCT)
The Bournemouth and Poole Primary Care Trust
Provider Adjustments
Block subsidy service providers report monthly to the Supporting People team regarding clients who have moved in or out of the service. Payment is adjusted accordingly.
Quality Assessment Framework (QAF)
An assessment tool used by both Providers and the Supporting People team to assess the quality of services against national objectives. QAF
Registered Social Landlord (RSL)
A non profit-making voluntary group formed to provide affordable housing, such as a Housing Association.
Service Provider
A person or organisation providing housing related support services. Providers include registered social landlords, voluntary sector organisations, local authorities and the private sector.
Sheltered Housing
Housing specifically for older and/or disabled people. Includes a block or group of houses with resident or visiting warden, and individual houses, bungalows and flats which receive support from a mobile warden or pendant (emergency) alarm service.
Steady State
The term 'steady state' refers to the period when all Local Authorities and service providers have been fully transitioned to the Support People programme.
Supporting People Grant
This refers to the money received from the Government to pay for housing related support services under the Supporting People programme.
Supporting People Programme
The programme pays for and monitors all services providing housing related support.
Validation Visit
The Supporting People team visit the provider to establish whether the provider is achieving the standards they have self assessed at using the QAF.
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