LINks - latest Housing LIN weekly bulletin (w/c 6 April 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:

New Housing LIN Blog - The age old challenge in Wales

In this blog, Jennifer Lewington from Vale of Glamorgan Council portays the housing challenges Wales is likely to experience with an ageing population. By 2035, 26% of the population will be aged 65+, an increase from 20% in 2015. While Welsh policy aims to enable older people to live in a place which suits them and stay in their own homes for as long as they wish, there are also factors which motivate an older person to move to an alternative property. However, are these choices available? Jennifer sets out her ideas for the need for new, innovative solutions. Read at: http://www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/type/resource/?coid=9526


Housing - optional technical standards (accessibility & wheelchair housing standards)

Last month, following a consultation on accessible design standards, the DCLG issued guidance on how planning authorities can gather evidence to set optional requirements and the nationally described space standards over and above Part M of the Building Regulations. Detailed information can be found at: http://planningguidance.planningportal.gov.uk/blog/guidance/housing-optional-technical-standards/accessibility-and-wheelchair-housing-standards/

And, if you are interested in accessible design, further tools, practice documents and case studies can be found on the Housing LIN's 'design hub' at: www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/browse/Design_building

and 'planning portal' at: www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/browse/Planning/


What to expect when someone important to you is dying

This new guide published by the National Council for Palliative Care prepares people on what to expect when someone is dying and aims to demystify the dying process so that people better understand the changes that can happen to their loved ones in the last days of life. As well as explaining the physical changes that someone may go through when they are dying and what can be done to make them more comfortable, the guide sets out the kind of care a dying person can expect to receive whether this is at home, in a hospice or care home, or in hospital. It also details the support those close to the person who is dying should be able to rely on and where to turn to for help if there are concerns about the end of life care received. More at: http://www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/browse/Housing/EndOfLifeCare/?&msg=0&parent=9406&child=9521

For more information on end of life care, view our dedicated pages and read our recent practice briefing, 'End of Life Care: Information for housing & care providers' at: www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/browse/Housing/EndOfLifeCare/?&msg=0&parent=9406&child=8672


National Institute for Health Research School for Social Care Research call for innovative research

The NIHR SSCR are looking for innovative, high quality proposals to address key priorities for adult social care in England over the next 5 - 10 years in a new £2.6million research programme. With reference to housing in the research brief, the deadline for submission is 27 May 2015. With a track record of knowledge exchange on other NIHR SSCR projects, the Housing LIN would be pleased to be a co-applicant with an academic and/or non-academic organisation looking to undertake research on effective integration of housing and care. We also host the Housing and Care for Older People Research Network. Contact us at: info@housinglin.org.uk. To download the guidance note and application form, go to: http://www.sscr.nihr.ac.uk/news.php


Forthcoming Housing LIN regional meetings

30/04/2015 - North West Regional Housing LIN meeting, Stockport

More information and bookings are available under the link below: www.housinglin.org.uk/Events/ForthcomingEvents


Other events supported by the Housing LIN

Dementia Leaders in Housing course - Bradford

'Action based learning to support excellence in person centred services for people living with dementia'

Sitra, the Association of Dementia Studies, at the University of Worcester, and the Housing Learning and Improvement Network (LIN) have come together in a learning partnership to deliver an innovative dementia leaders programme specifically for the housing sector. More info and bookings at: www.sitra.org/training/dementia-leaders-programme-for-the-housing-sector-bradford/


Housing with Care Matters

And finally, if you missed our bumper quarterly newsletter published last week, visit: www.housinglin.org.uk/News/Latest/HousingNewsItem/?coid=9523

Stay networked with the Housing LIN for latest news, views and resources on housing with care matters.