LINks - this week's Housing LIN bulletin (w/c 3 August)

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 case study: A Fresh Approach to Palliative Care - Sustainable Design

Earlier this year the government published the independent choices review on End of Life Care, 'What's important to me. A Review of Choice in End of Life Care'. This was commissioned to provide advice to Government on improving the quality and experience of care for adults at the end of life. On place of care and death, it recognized specialist housing as important choice options but they were clear that these settings depend on, and too often do not offer, highly trained staff and support from specialists, hospices and community services. This has been followed up by a NICE consultation on new draft guidance (opens new window) on end of life care, published last week.

Email Case Study 109 This timely case study by Jessica Taylor at Architype Architects looks at the development of St Michael's Hospice in Bartestree, Herefordshire, and how through sensitive and sustainable design a new vision of palliative care has been realised that strikes the balance between a professional healthcare environment and a high-end domestic space for support people affected by life-limiting conditions to live in a comfortable, healthy environment. Download at: www.housinglin.org.uk/StMichaelsHospice_CaseStudy

£133.6 million social care (capital) grant determination for 2015 to 2016

The Department of Health have released the social care grant allocations for local authorities in England in 2015 to 2016. They conditions outline how the money is used, in particular, that the grant paid to a local authority under this determination is required to be transferred into the local Better Care Fund (BCF) pooled budget, under section 75 of the NHS Act 2006, and spent in accordance with a NHS England approved BCF spending plan jointly agreed between the local authority and the relevant Clinical Commissioning Group(s). In some areas, the grant could therefore support investment in specialised housing that meet local health and social care objectives. More at: www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/browse/HousingExtraCare/FundingExtraCareHousing/Specialised-Housing/?parent=9080&child=9672 (opens new window)

Inquiry into the future of housing associations

The Communities and Local Government Committee will examine the viability and sustainability of housing associations. In particular, the Committee is seeking evidence into the proposed extension of Right to Buy and how this and a number of other government measures following the summer budget may impact on the ability of housing associations to build and develop. While there is reference to what the effects will be on housing associations of changes in housing benefit for younger people, no mention is made to the effects for older and disabled people and/or impact in relation to supported or specialised housing, such as extra care housing. Any evidence should be submitted by Friday, 28 August 2015. More at: www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/communities-and-local-government-committee/inquiries/parliament-2015/housing-association-sector-and-right-to-buy/ (opens new window)

Rethinking planning obligations: Balancing housing numbers and affordability

This report from the JRF researches the effectiveness of planning obligations and uses case studies to identify how the supply of affordable housing can be increased in areas where local planning obligations are not meeting local needs. Whilst not specific to maximising the supply of specialist housing for older people, it explores innovative practice in maximising provision of affordable homes through S106 agreements and re-aligning definitions of affordability in planning legislation to households' ability to pay which could benefit the sector. More at: www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/browse/Planning/PlanningStrategies/?&msg=0&parent=9190&child=9667 (opens new window)

Making change possible: a Transformation Fund for the NHS

This report by The Health Foundation and The King's Fund calls for a £1.5-2.1 billion a year dedicated Transformation Fund between now and 2020/21 to support long-term efficiency savings and help deliver new models of care. Interestingly, it suggests that consideration should be given to generating funding through the development of the NHS estate into a long-term sustainable source of new income. It notes that it might be possible to release capital relatively quickly by selling surplus estate and pooling this at a national level to fund transformation across the NHS. Selling estate reported by NHS trusts and foundation trusts as surplus in 2014 could generate approximately £700m and that held by NHS Property Services might generate approximately another £30m. http://www.housinglin.org.uk/HousingRegions/NorthWest/?&msg=0&parent=1020&child=9674

Occupational therapy evidence fact sheet - Falls prevention and management

Following the publication of the 'Occupational therapy in the prevention and management of falls in adults: practice guideline' earlier this year, the College of Occupational Therapy have developed a new evidence fact sheet: 'Falls prevention and management'. It draws mainly on the evidence within the guideline but also makes reference to the NICE Quality Standard and, as such, aims to provide a further resource for members to use to demonstrate the value of occupational therapy in falls prevention and management. Available at: https://www.cot.co.uk/sites/default/files/commissioning_ot/public/Falls-prevention-and-management-Evidence-Fact-Sheet-June2015.pdf (opens new window)

Supporting people with a learning disability and / or autism who have a mental health condition or display behaviour that challenges

NHS England have published a draft national framework designed to improve the care of people with learning disabilities, shifting services away from hospital care and towards community-based settings. It contains a draft 'service model' with 9 overarching principles which define what 'good' services for people with learning disabilities and/or autism whose behaviour challenges should look like, including one on providing greater choice and security in housing. In particular, the principle 4 states: "I have a choice about where I live and who I live with" and the accompanying section (pp27-29) outlines how the right home, environment and people can improve independence and quality of life, and help individuals manage behaviours that challenge and reduce the risks to themselves and others. Read in full at: www.housinglin.org.uk/HousingRegions/NorthWest/?&msg=0&parent=1020&child=9674

Telecare LIN weekly update

This week's news headlines from the Telecare LIN can be downloaded in two formats (doc; pdf) at:

National Housing for Older People Awards 2015

Supported by Legal & General and the Housing LIN, EAC have opened up entries for this year's awards to be held on Wednesday, 17th February 2016 at the Hilton Deansgate, Manchester. If the scheme you would like to enter has not participated in EAC's Resident Consultation Service (RCS) after 15^th September 2014, the deadline for doing so is Friday, 27th November 2015. We look forward to presenting the Housing LIN award for the outstanding extra care housing scheme. For details about the RCS and entry criteria, go to: www.housingcare.org/providers/housing-for-older-people-awards-2015.aspx (opens new window)

Or simply call 020 7820 3755

Events supported by the Housing LIN

Law Commission consultation events - Deprivation of Liberty: What Does This Mean for Housing?

To assist housing providers, the Housing LIN, Sitra, National Housing Federation and Arco have joined together to arrange two events at which the Law Commission will outline their proposals and give providers an opportunity to share their views. The first is in London on Monday, 21^st September 2015 and the second in Manchester on Tuesday, 22^nd September 2015. More details at www.housinglin.org.uk/Events/ForthcomingEvents/HousingEventDetail/?eventID=842 (opens new window)

Capita Sheltered Housing Conference

As housing providers and commissioners adapt to a changing funding landscape, new roles and responsibilities under the Care Act and an increasingly ageing population, this well-timed event (supported by the Housing LIN) on Wednesday, 30 September in London, will equip you with tools to overcome the challenges of delivering affordable and high quality housing to a diverse older population. View registration arrangements at: www.housinglin.org.uk/Events/ForthcomingEvents/HousingEventDetail/?eventID=843 (opens new window)

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