LINks - latest Housing LIN bulletin (w/c 2 March 2015)
Welcome to LINks, the weekly e-bulletin from the Housing LIN (Learning and Improvement Network) where we put a selection of latest information, resources and events under the spotlight. In this week's issue, we would like to draw your attention to the following
A Festival of Ideas
With thanks to our sponsors, presenters and everyone who made our annual conference such a success, please note that a post-conference report as well as copies of all the keynote speakers and 22 knowledge and innovation exchange sessions' slides are now available at: www.housinglin.org.uk/ECHConference2015
What's important to me. A Review of Choice in End of Life Care
This report and the accompanying annexes by the independent Choice of End of Life Care Review Programme Board identify the issues people approaching the end of their lives are currently facing and offers a blueprint for how greater choice in end of life care can be achieved.
With recognition to the importance of a dignified good death at home, there is acknowledgement of the role of housing and housing related services such as aids and adaptations, equipment and telecare can make to make the home environment as suitable as possible. More at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/choice-in-end-of-life-care (opens new window)
New Housing LIN practice briefing on End of Life Care: Information for housing & care providers
To coincide with the publication of the independent review of choices in end of life care, this practice briefing from the Housing LIN (supported by the National Council for Palliative Care (NCPC), the National Care Forum and NHS Improving Quality) is written for those managing housing with care so that you can demonstrate and/or develop your role improving the experience of people approaching the end of life locally within a housing setting.
It updates Action Sheet 6 in the National Council for Palliative Care's 'Influencing Toolkit' and now also includes useful examples of where housing organisations have improved the way they deliver their services for people at end of life and their carers. Find on our consolidated end of life care pages at: www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/browse/Housing/EndOfLifeCare/
Telecare LIN February newsletter
The 'must read' KTN/Telecare LIN newsletter and supplement are now available. Packed with latest information on telecare and telehealth, they can be downloaded at: http://www.housinglin.org.uk/News/Latest/HousingNewsItem/?coid=9490
Design for an Ageing Population
The RIBA has released an excellent collection of resources into 'Design for an Ageing Population' to help built environment professions access relevant and information they need to create buildings and places that meet the needs of an ageing society.
At the end of 2013, they opened a call for evidence on design for an ageing population. This resulted in a collection of over 450 items of research, guidance and case studies which have been collated into an online bibliography. Access at: https://www.zotero.org/groups/riba_research/items/collectionKey/ITFIKCH2
In addition, the RIBA have published a selection of other useful documents including:
- 'Insights, from me to you' - a short series of semi-structured interviews with older retired RIBA Chartered Members;
- 'An Alternative Age-friendly Handbook' - a reference for architects, designers, artists and 'urban curators' who want to support age-inclusive (re)production of the city - together with, on behalf of, or for older people, and;
- A report on the 'RIBA Research Symposium 2014: Design for Ageing' by Matthew Barac, London South Bank University.
Action Plan for Inclusive Environments
The Design Council have launched an Action Plan for Inclusive Environments with industry partners that seeks to make specific commitments to promote the planning, design, construction, development and management of inclusive environments. It includes key actions on:
- Reviewing competencies, including vocational courses, to ensure inclusive environments are properly supported
- Collaborating on industry wide and sectoral Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training
- Rewarding excellence and celebrate success
- Championing inclusive design through leadership and promote awareness
- Collaborating on research, innovation and continual improvement across industry
- Communicating best practice to members and encouraging knowledge sharing between professional Institutions via their Inclusive Environments Hub.
And to find out more about inclusive design and an ageing population, visit the Housing LIN's dedicated online resources at: www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/browse/Design_building/
DCLG continues its support to the HIA sector
As mentioned by the Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office at our annual conference last month, DCLG has announced the award of the new contract to deliver the National Body for Home Improvement Agencies (HIAs) to Foundations' parent company CEL.
For more details, visit Foundation's website at: www.foundations.uk.com/news-pr/dclg-announces-its-continued-support-to-the-home-improvement-agency-sector/
Review of Independent Living Adaptations in Wales
This review was commissioned by the Welsh Government to improve the delivering and viability of adaptations in Wales for older and disabled people. At present, around £35 million is spend by local councils on Disabled Facilities Grants on an annual basis and another £8 million is spent on Physical Adaptations Grant by social housing providers on adaptations for social tenants.
Conducted by Shelter Cymru, the review concluded that a 'one system' approach to adaptations should be a guiding principle for policy development and moving towards a staged adoption of universal provision of adaptations (Minor adaptations up to £1,000 all tenures; Mid-level adaptations between £1,000 and £5-7,000 (precise level to be negotiated with local government); and Major adaptations above £5-7,000), without means testing in the long term. More at: http://www.housinglin.org.uk/HousingRegions/Wales/Research-and-good-practice/?&msg=0&parent=9033&child=9496
Forthcoming Housing LIN regional meetings
- 25/03/2015 - South East Regional Housing LIN meeting, Basingstoke
- 15/04/2015 - North East Regional Housing LIN meeting, Middlesbrough (save the date, registrations opening soon)
- 30/04/2015 - North West Regional Housing LIN meeting, Stockport (save the date, registrations opening soon)
More information and bookings are available at: www.housinglin.org.uk/Events/ForthcomingEvents