Neighbourhood Services

HOUSING

STRUCTURES WITHIN SUPPORTING PEOPLE

The Core Coordination Group comprises representatives of all partners and agencies including the Council, other funders, the NHS, providers and service users with an elected member as chair. The council's lead officer is a member of the group.

The role of the group was revised in November 2004 in the light of experience. Their key role is now as a forum where a wide list of partners and stakeholders can meet to discuss issues relating to the Supporting People Programme. The group primarily operates as a communication and consultation forum. It will continue to be chaired by the Vice Chair of Housing, to preserve the direct link to elected members of the Council.

The role of elected members is to focus on key strategic decisions and the scrutiny of results through the regular submission of reports to the Housing and Social Work Committees.

The role of the Commissioning and Purchasing Group was also revised in November 2004. It now comprises staff from Housing and Social Work, Procurement, Finance and members of the Supporting People Team. It reports directly to the Council's nominated Supporting People Lead Officer. The Commissioning and Purchasing Group is expected to make recommendations on how all housing support services are monitored, reviewed and procured. It will maintain and review systems for procurement and contracting, administer procurement and award contracts. It meets on an as needs basis.

A Supporting People Steering Group, chaired by the Council's Lead Officer meets as necessary. It has representation from Finance, Housing and Social Work. The objective of the group is to create a unified and corporate East Ayrshire approach to the Supporting People Programme. It will address and resolve any conflicting demands on Supporting People services and will facilitate joint working and partnership within the Council in relation to services. It will facilitate consistency in service within East Ayrshire in relation to the provision of housing support services and consistency in compliance with national standards and reporting requirements in relation to Housing Support services.

The Supporting People Team commission and coordinate the analysis of both need and supply and maintain a complete database for the programme. They service the Supporting People management structure, carry out service reviews, manage the consultation process and draft reports making recommendations about the future funding and direction of funded schemes and programmes. They monitor contracts and authorise payments.They deal with all communications issues and act as the front line for complaints and enquiries. They will develop and maintain the Strategic Plan for the future provision and funding of support services. The team also provides the Council's staffing contribution to the East Ayrshire Joint Team with the Department for Works and Pensions.