STRATEGIC REPORT

Integrated care and housing

Collaborative working across teams helps our customers to live independently in their own homes for longer and to sustain their tenancies. Where customers have fallen on hard times, we provide a holistic approach to ensure they’re back on track to independent living as quickly as possible.

 WATCH Luke, who’s been in and out of prison, explains how our Housing Related Support service in North East Lincolnshire has helped him turn his life around.

Collaborative working across teams helps our customers to live independently in their own homes for longer and to sustain their tenancies. Where customers have fallen on hard times, we provide a holistic approach to ensure they’re back on track to independent living as quickly as possible.

 WATCH Luke, who’s been in and out of prison, explains how our Housing Related Support service in North East Lincolnshire has helped him turn his life around.

We’re passionate about delivering high-quality services to our customers to help them live independently and sustain their tenancy, or to help them back onto their feet as they move towards the goal of having a place to call home. In the last 12 months, we’ve taken some difficult decisions to ensure everything we do is sustainable and that our customers receive the best possible support and services both now and in the future. This has seen us transfer many of the Care and Support services we provided in the West to a new provider. We have, however, retained the homes our customers live in and continue to work closely with the new providers to deliver our responsibilities as a landlord. We continue to enhance our aids and adaptations service, providing technological solutions that enable customers to live with independence and dignity. The Group was named Social Housing Adaptations Service of the Year at the Foundations Healthy Housing Awards, while Independent Living Advisor Jane Leaming received a commendation in the Caseworker of the Year award. This recognition demonstrates how our colleagues continue to provide a heartfelt service to provide the best possible outcomes for our customers.

In the past year we’ve taken some difficult decisions to ensure everything we do is sustainable and our customers receive the best possible support and services.

We’re passionate about delivering high-quality services to our customers to help them live independently and sustain their tenancy, or to help them back onto their feet as they move towards the goal of having a place to call home. In the last 12 months, we’ve taken some difficult decisions to ensure everything we do is sustainable and that our customers receive the best possible support and services both now and in the future. This has seen us transfer many of the Care and Support services we provided in the West to a new provider. We have, however, retained the homes our customers live in and continue to work closely with the new providers to deliver our responsibilities as a landlord. We continue to enhance our aids and adaptations service, providing technological solutions that enable customers to live with independence and dignity. The Group was named Social Housing Adaptations Service of the Year at the Foundations Healthy Housing Awards, while Independent Living Advisor Jane Leaming received a commendation in the Caseworker of the Year award. This recognition demonstrates how our colleagues continue to provide a heartfelt service to provide the best possible outcomes for our customers.

In the past year we’ve taken some difficult decisions to ensure everything we do is sustainable and our customers receive the best possible support and services.

Innovative interventions

Helping customers to live independently and remain in their own home for as long as possible is a key aim for the Group. In Rutland, our assistive technology service is one way we can achieve this —and not just for our own customers. By utilising innovative technology and installing measures such as fall detection and call buttons, hard-of-hearing devices and sensor lights, we’ve continued to help reduce social isolation and increase the feeling of independence. Last year, more than 150 assessments were carried out by the Assistive Technology team, with 234 new items being installed and 88 recycled pieces of equipment being utilised to benefit residents. This has helped reduce the risk of admission to hospital by nearly a third and the need for a care and support package by 45 percent. Half of customers have said they feel less isolated, with four in five customers saying they now believe they’re at less risk than before. Our Rutland Housing MOT service has also continued, with 443 assessments completed and additional information, advice and support provided to our customers to keep them living safely and independently in their own home.

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Assessments carried out by the Assistive Technology team

Innovative interventions

Helping customers to live independently and remain in their own home for as long as possible is a key aim for the Group. In Rutland, our assistive technology service is one way we can achieve this —and not just for our own customers. By utilising innovative technology and installing measures such as fall detection and call buttons, hard-of-hearing devices and sensor lights, we’ve continued to help reduce social isolation and increase the feeling of independence. Last year, more than 150 assessments were carried out by the Assistive Technology team, with 234 new items being installed and 88 recycled pieces of equipment being utilised to benefit residents. This has helped reduce the risk of admission to hospital by nearly a third and the need for a care and support package by 45 percent. Half of customers have said they feel less isolated, with four in five customers saying they now believe they’re at less risk than before. Our Rutland Housing MOT service has also continued, with 443 assessments completed and additional information, advice and support provided to our customers to keep them living safely and independently in their own home.

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Assessments carried out by the Assistive Technology team

Helping customers secure a home

Many of our services are geared up to help customers live more independently and move on into their own home with their own tenancy. From supported accommodation to short-term and floating support services, we work intensively with our customers to ensure they’re in the best position possible to be able to sustain a tenancy. Whether they’ve been in prison, are recovering from an addiction, or have found themselves homeless, our colleagues provide a heartfelt and holistic service to give customers hope for the future. Throughout the last year, we’ve achieved an incredible 98 percent positive move-on rate from our short-term accommodation services, resulting in dozens of customers securing their own home and tenancy. We’ve also reviewed our whole portfolio of supported housing to ensure they’re fit for purpose and meet our customers’ needs. As a result of this, we’ve identified £3.8 million in capital grant funding which will be recycled to help build new homes.

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Successful move-on rate from short-term accommodation services

Helping customers secure a home

Many of our services are geared up to help customers live more independently and move on into their own home with their own tenancy. From supported accommodation to short-term and floating support services, we work intensively with our customers to ensure they’re in the best position possible to be able to sustain a tenancy. Whether they’ve been in prison, are recovering from an addiction, or have found themselves homeless, our colleagues provide a heartfelt and holistic service to give customers hope for the future. Throughout the last year, we’ve achieved an incredible 98 percent positive move-on rate from our short-term accommodation services, resulting in dozens of customers securing their own home and tenancy. We’ve also reviewed our whole portfolio of supported housing to ensure they’re fit for purpose and meet our customers’ needs. As a result of this, we’ve identified £3.8 million in capital grant funding which will be recycled to help build new homes.

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Successful move-on rate from short-term accommodation services

Promoting independent living

Our Independent Living service, which was named Social Housing Adaptations Service of the Year at the Foundations Healthy Housing Awards, has continued to play a crucial role in the Group’s success in the last year. The service received 735 referrals, carrying out 513 visits and assessments for minor aids and adaptations which could be installed to support our customers. In total, 1,102 fixed minor adaptations such as grab rails and stair rails were installed, with 179 pieces of freestanding equipment like raised toilet seats and shower chairs being provided. The team also carried out 26 assessments of bathrooms to be passed on to the Group’s Planned Works Team to provide major adaptation works. Of the 472 customers to receive aids and adaptations, 42 percent were prevented from being admitted to hospital, while 69 percent said the intervention had improved their quality of life. We also continue to provide Lifeline services within our sheltered, extra care and leasehold schemes, helping hundreds of residents live independently in their own home safe in the knowledge help is at the end of the line if required.

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Referrals to Independent Living Service during 2023/24

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Aids and adaptations customers reporting an improved quality of life

Promoting independent living

Our Independent Living service, which was named Social Housing Adaptations Service of the Year at the Foundations Healthy Housing Awards, has continued to play a crucial role in the Group’s success in the last year. The service received 735 referrals, carrying out 513 visits and assessments for minor aids and adaptations which could be installed to support our customers. In total, 1,102 fixed minor adaptations such as grab rails and stair rails were installed, with 179 pieces of freestanding equipment like raised toilet seats and shower chairs being provided. The team also carried out 26 assessments of bathrooms to be passed on to the Group’s Planned Works Team to provide major adaptation works. Of the 472 customers to receive aids and adaptations, 42 percent were prevented from being admitted to hospital, while 69 percent said the intervention had improved their quality of life. We also continue to provide Lifeline services within our sheltered, extra care and leasehold schemes, helping hundreds of residents live independently in their own home safe in the knowledge help is at the end of the line if required.

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Referrals to Independent Living Service during 2023/24

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Aids and adaptations customers reporting an improved quality of life

CASE STUDY

Improving lives with music

“Active use of time is essential to recovery.” Anna Cave, Service Manager at Sleaford HRS, believes passionately in keeping customers busy and engaged as they work towards a future of independent living. That’s why colleagues at the service have launched a programme of activities for customers to get involved with, including artificial intelligence music therapy.

CASE STUDY

Improving lives with music

“Active use of time is essential to recovery.” Anna Cave, Service Manager at Sleaford HRS, believes passionately in keeping customers busy and engaged as they work towards a future of independent living. That’s why colleagues at the service have launched a programme of activities for customers to get involved with, including artificial intelligence music therapy.