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Supporting people

Published: 08/02/2016

In 2012, the Welsh Government created the Supporting People Programme Grant. This grant funds the provision of services that enable vulnerable people to gain and retain independence by remaining in their own home The Supporting People Local Commissioning Plan 2016-18 for the Supporting People Programme Grant has been subject to significant reductions over the past three years. This has been a significant and growing concern for the authority as the services funded by the grant prevent some residents from accessing more costly social and health care and homelessness. However, the grant has been protected in 2016/17 providing an opportunity for the Supporting People Team to work with providers to identify different ways of working and any savings will be used to provide short term support to meet emerging pressures as a result of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 and Social Services & Well-being (Wales) Act 2014. Cllr. Helen Brown, Cabinet Member for Housing said, “The Flintshire Supporting People Programme has experienced a total budget cut of 18.4% over 3 years as a result of Government austerity measures and our Flintshire Supporting People Team have had to adopt a proactive and strategic approach to lessen impacts on our customers. I am delighted that the Supporting People Programme Grant has been protected from reductions in 2016/17. This provides some much needed time for the Supporting People Team to work with providers to identify efficiencies that as far as possible protect vulnerable service users. Flintshire Council’s Community and Enterprise Scrutiny Committee will consider the Local Commissioning Plan 2016-18 for the Supporting People Programme Grant at a meeting on Wednesday, 10 February.