> What is Supporting People?
> Who delivers Bury's Supporting People programme?
> Which client groups are the services aimed at?
> What types of support does Supporting People offer?
> How many people do we provide a service for?
> I think I'm eligible for a Supporting People service. What should I do now?
> Contact details
> Useful links
Click here to access the Supporting People Directory.
What is Supporting People?
The Supporting People programme offers vulnerable people the opportunity to improve their quality of life. It does this by funding services which are designed to enable greater independence. The legislation was implemented in April 2003.
The programme delivers high quality housing-related services that are cost effective, reliable, and complement existing care services. The planning and development of services will be needs led. Supporting People is a working partnership of local government, service users and support agencies.
The aim of the programme is to improve the quality of support to vulnerable people. Until now support services have developed across the country in an unstructured fashion over a number of years.
Who delivers Bury's Supporting People programme?
- The service is delivered by the Procurement Team based in Adult Care Services at Bury Council.
- Supporting People is overseen by a Commissioning Body made up of the Assistant Director of Bury Council, the Assistant Chief Executive of Bury PCT and the District Manager from the Bury and Rochdale Probation Service.
Which client groups are services aimed at?
Supporting People provides services for many vulnerable groups including;
- People with alcohol and drug problems
- Frail elderly people
- Homeless families
- People with mental health problems
- People with learning disabilities
- Older people with support needs
- Single homeless people
- Women at risk of domestic violence
- Offenders or people at risk of Offending
We are currently assessing if there are other groups in the borough which need provision, such as people with HIV and Aids, Travellers and people from Black and Minority Ethnic Communities.
What types of support does Supporting People offer?
Our providers supply a wide range of support. These currently include;
- Tenancy related support, for example making sure accommodation is kept secure and bills are paid on time
- Assisting with safety and security and liaison with benefits agencies
- Support with life skills including prompting about personal hygiene and medication
- Budgeting skills
- Promoting and supporting independent living
How many people do we provide a service for?
The Supporting People Programme currently provides tenancy related support for nearly 3500 people in the borough.
This provision is made up of 64 Supporting People Services, delivered by 29 different providers.
Will I have to pay to use a Supporting People service?
- You will not have to pay for services offering short-term support (less than two years).
- There is a charge for services offering long-term support (more than two years) but if you receive housing benefit to help you pay your rent you will not have to pay for this.
- If you are on a low income you may be able to have the support at a reduced price. To find out more about this read ‘A Guide to fairer charging for housing related support’. To receive a copy of this leaflet, telephone or write to the Adult Care Services Finance (Income) section: Castle Buildings, Market Place, Bury, BL9 OLT, Tel: 0161 253 5418.
I think I'm eligible for a Supporting People service. What should I do now?
You can't access supporting people funding yourself. The Supporting People Grant is paid directly to Supporting People providers who deliver support within their schemes. If you move into a short-term service funded by Supporting People the cost of the service can be paid for you if you are in receipt of housing benefit and can provide proof of this.
There are a wide variety of schemes available including; refuges for women fleeing domestic violence, warden services in sheltered housing 24 hour supported accommodation projects and floating support (services visiting you in your own home).
For more details on the range of services we fund and how to refer people to these schemes take a look in the Supporting People Directory
Contact Details
Bury Adult Care Services Procurement Team is based at:
1st Floor
Craig House
Bank Street
Bury
BL9 0BA
Telephone: 0161 253 6265
Fax: 0161 253 6264
Email: supporting.people@bury.gov.uk
Useful links
Supporting People web site for Bury
Policy, Training & Consultancy for Supported Housing web site
National Housing Federation web site
Department of Health web site
