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Housing Options – Support for Choice

David RubickAgency Manager –

Anchor Staying Put DorsetPresentation to Lemos & Crane workshop

8 October 2009

Housing Options

• Introduction- Anchor -who are we?

• What is Housing Options?

• Developing the caseworker role

• Success and constraints

• The future in a changing world

• Discussion?

Anchor

• Anchor Staying Put in Dorset – part of

• Anchor Staying Put – part of

• Anchor At Home – part of

• Anchor Trust –

• Largest provider of housing and care services in England

What is Housing Options

• Service that provides:

Bespoke Advice, Support, Information, Advocacy, Signposting and Practical Help for older people living in poor or unsuitable housing and/or considering options for “moving on”

• Tenure blind• Not means tested

HOUSING OPTIONS- The Choices

– General Housing Stock-bungalow, flat, house– Sheltered Housing– Extra Care Housing– Residential Care – Shared Ownership– Private Rented– Family– Social tenancy Transfer

Successful Caseworking

• Bespoke advice, support, information, advocacy

• Identify options; Provide details; Create links

• Support informed decision making

• Support applications

• Processors or advocates?

Moving?

• Identify preferences

• Identify options & support network

• Support client’s informed decision

• Help with Choice Based Lettings applications

• Help arrange moving preparation– Utilities; boxing up; removals companies etc

• Help set dates

Staying Put?

• Identify options

• Arrange for needs assessment

• Link to appropriate service/agency– Longer term adaptation?– Short term small repairs/ handyperson?

• Identify timescales

• Monitor link-up

Constraints & Distractions

• Unreasonable expectations:

– Choice Based Lettings?

– Free removal & packaging service?

– Alternative to statutory service provider?

Future

• Customer or commissioner led?

• Future HIA– Support for choice– Putting people first– Individualised budgets– Lifetime homes, lifetime neighbourhoods

Future Development

• Enhanced service linking to Health etc

• Aftercare

• Crisis Support pilot

• Health and Handyperson pilot

• Linked & integrated services

• Move on from means tested services

Housing Options

• Questions?

Housing Options – Support for Choice

David Rubick

Agency Manager –

Anchor Staying Put DorsetPresentation to Lemos & Crane workshop

8 October 2009