Policy Development
Review of Housing-related Support
The Supporting People Review was published in Nov 2010 and 3 Workstreams have now been set up to take forward the recommendations made in the report.
Cymorth Cymru will be using this section of our website to keep you up-to-date with all developments and documents produced by those involved with taking the report forward.
Independent Review of the Supporting People Programme in Wales: Final Report
Executive Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations
Steering Group
Implementing the Supporting People Review - Next Steps
Project Plan - SP Review Recommendations
Meeting 13th Jan 2011 - Minutes
Meeting 27th Jan 2011 - Minutes
Meeting 10th Feb 2011 - Minutes
Quality Services Workstream
Meeting 28th Feb 2011- MinutesFinance Workstream
Meeting 17th Feb 2011 - MinutesGovernance & Regulation Workstream
Meeting 8th Feb 2011 - Minutes
Supporting People - Update
Statement by The Welsh Government 12th June 2012
Update regarding the definition of 'exempt accommodation'
The DWP have recently indicated that they are aware of the issues relating to the current definition of exempt accommodation and its compatibility with actual arrangements existing for exempt accommodation. Cymorth Cymru and Community Housing Cymru have been jointly lobbying in order to highlight some of the main issues raised by landlords and providers alike.
Community Housing Cymru and Cymorth Cymru have submitted a joint letter to Lord Freud, adding our support for a revision of this definition; seeking clarity on how this will be implemented. We know from speaking with colleagues at other organisations who have received a response on this matter that in essence, the DWP are willing to work with key stakeholders and devolved administrations in informing a revision of the definition.
Cymorth Cymru have established a working group including Community Housing Cymru, RSLs, providers and Local Authority Housing Benefit representatives. This group will be working with Welsh Government in order to help guide the way in which the definition and approach are amended to address the concerns of both landlords and providers.
For more information please contact nicolaevans@cymorthcymru.org.uk.
The Real Tenancy Test: A self assessment tool for tenancy rights in supported living in Wales
The Real Tenancy Test is based on the principle that all people with a learning disability, and others who reside as tenants in supported living settings, should be able to exercise the same rights and responsibilities, and enjoy similar levels of choice and control over their home environment as any other tenant, regardless of their need for care and support services.
This quick test can be used in supported living and tenancy based supported housing to indicate the extent to which real tenancy rights are being delivered. It is designed to be used by support providers, landlords and commissioners as a self assessment tool to help them understand how their approaches and practices work for, or against, the exercise of real tenancy rights by their tenants and service users, and to indicate how improvements may be made where needed.
Click to download the Real Tenancy Test
Click to read the press release
For more information on the Real Tenancy Test please contact nicolaevans@cymorthcymru.org.uk.
Cymorth Cymru will be running a number of training courses on the Real Tenancy Test as well as offering a bespoke consultancy service to assist organisations in applying the Real Tenancy Test to the service they deliver. For further details on this, please visit our ‘Professional Development’ pages, or contact iansimpson@cymorthcymru.org.uk.
Cymorth Cymru and CHC Joint Briefing
The New Arrangements for the Supporting People Programme in Wales
The objective of this briefing paper is to provide members of Cymorth Cymru and Community Housing Cymru with an overview of the key issues in relation to the implementation of the new arrangements for the Supporting People programme in Wales.
The importance of a home for people facing mental health issues
By: Mark Hopkins, Family Housing
Research shows that in times of economic difficulty, one of the human costs is that mental health problems - unsurprisingly - increase. If you or a member of your family were in this position, would you prefer to recover in a hospital or community setting?
Providing care in community settings for those with severe and enduring mental health problems is an important aspect of mental health care in the UK and elsewhere and within Wales the government's 'Raising the Standard' document states that "Each Local Authority area are to ensure there is a range of housing options with appropriate levels of support available for people with mental health problems. The Wales Audit Office raised concerns about how well we are meeting the housing, support and care needs of people with mental health problems earlier this year. Our research paper, Developing High Relational Support Services for Individuals with Long Term Mental Health Needs evaluates one approach which helps tenants who have previously been living in long stay inpatient facilities or private residential care facilities to rebuild their lives within a home-like, community based setting. Findings show that with the support provided the health and wellbeing, personal and community safety, independence and social integration of all the tenants has been maintained or enhanced using this social care model and that all have managed their finances with help. What is more these findings clearly demonstrate that the 3rd sector can deliver high quality services that are extremely cost effective when compared to statutory and private enterprises.
How the Supporting People Programme in Carmarthenshire Saves Money for Other Areas of the Public Purse
Final Good Practice Guidance for People with the Learning Disability Requiring Planned Secondary Care
Good Practice Framework for People with a Learning Disability requiring planned Secondary Care.
Wales Economy Research Unit report
This report was commissioned by Cymorth Cymru and prepared by the Welsh Economy Research Unit (WERU) at Cardiff Business School. The main aim of the research is to examine the economic significance of employment in the housing-related support (HRS) 'sector'.
Delivering quality in housing-related support
Cymorth was happy to support Housemark’s research into how providers of housing-related support define and measure quality in the services they provide.
Excellent high quality housing-related support is crucial given the vulnerability of users and in many cases, support services make a real difference to the quality of service users’ lives. Yet defining, measuring and commissioning for ‘quality’ is less straightforward in this field than it is for other activities. This can make achieving high quality more challenging than in other service areas.
Submission to the Work and Pensions Committee inquiry into Local Housing Allowance
The majority of Cymorth members are Third Sector agencies who provide accommodation and/or other assistance to people affected by homelessness, health problems, disabilities or other support needs. As such, the introduction of the Local Housing Allowance has had a significant impact with regard to work with the private rented sector - particularly for those working to support formerly homeless people in accessing and maintaining long-term accommodation.
This paper presents the views and experiences of the following kinds of provision:
- Homelessness hostels and night shelters
- Women's refuges
- Floating support services
- Daycentres, and
- Housing advice and advocacy services
Developing homelessness provision in Wales
In July 2009 representatives of Rough Sleepers Cymru, Cymorth Cymru and the Homelessness Network met with Jocelyn Davies AM, Deputy Minister for Housing, to propose that homelessness services in Wales should be supported in implementing developments similar to those brought about by the Places of Change (PoC) agenda in England.
This report is based on feedback from members of Rough Sleepers Cymru, Cymorth Cymru and the Homelessness Network, and is intended to:
- Provide an outline of some of the 'PoC-type' developments that Wales has seen in recent years
- Describe any ideas for further service developments
- Consider funding implications
Cymorth Cymru Briefing - Ban on tobacco smokingimplications for supported housing provider
The following briefing refers to The Smoke-free Premises etc. (Wales) Regulations (2007). The regulations concern the prohibition of tobacco smoking in certain enclosed spaces, pursuant to powers contained in the Health Act (2006).
Developing a modern regulatory framework for housing associations in Wales A consultation response from Cymorth Cymru (July 2009)
Cymorth Cymru response to the Welsh Assembly Government's review of the regulatory framework for housing associations in Wales. Our response to the consultation document has been formulated in consultation with our membership, including discussion at our Open Forum.
Homelessness in Wales - Monitoring the impact of the UK recession
In March 2009 Shelter Cymru, the Local Authority Homelessness Network and Cymorth Cymru conducted a survey of a small sample of Welsh homelessness services, including housing and debt advice agencies, daycentre and hostel services, and local authority homelessness departments. We asked participants to describe their current caseloads, and to compare what they are experiencing now with the situation twelve months ago.
Draft Supporting People - housing-related support strategy A consultation response from Cymorth Cymru
Cymorth Cymru response to the Welsh Assembly Government's draft Supporting People strategy and the commitment it represents to further developing Wales's support for people needing help to find or maintain a home, and to build the lives they aspire to.
This response has been formulated in consultation with our membership through Open Forums and face-to-face meetings.
Notes on the Cymorth Cymru Sample Drugs Policy
The following Sample Drugs Policy is taken from the Cymorth Cymru publication Working with drug users - Guidance for accommodation providers and other support services. This document discusses a range of issues which agencies might consider in developing approaches to managing drug-related issues, and is available in hard copy or PDF format from Cymorth Cymru.
The Sample Policy and accompanying Guidance are intended to be of use to any and all services working with client groups which may include people who use illicit drugs and/or alcohol. This includes services specifically designed to work with drug or alcohol users, such as wet houses or other projects with a drug-related specialism, though will also include services which provide more generic, non-specialist support or accommodation, such as:
- homelessness hostels
- refuges
- night shelters
- day centres
- floating support services
Draft Ten-year Homelessness Plan A consultation response from Cymorth Cymru
Cymorth Cymru's response to the Welsh Assembly Government's draft Ten-year Homelessness Plan and the commitment it represents to developing further Wales's support to people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
This response has been formulated in consultation with our membership.
Cymorth Cymru's Response to Welfare Reform Green Paper - October 2008 A consultation response from Cymorth Cymru
Cymorth Cymru took this opportunity to contribute to the national discussion on the relationship between rights and responsibilities with regards to benefits entitlements in the UK, and shares a number of the key principles informing the proposals put forward within the current Green Paper.
Working together to reduce harm - The Substance Misuse Strategy for Wales 2008-2018 A consultation response from Cymorth Cymru
Cymorth Cymru is keen to support the development and implementation of an effective 10-year strategy to reduce the impacts of problematic drug use on individuals, families and communities in Wales, and supports the continuing development of high quality services for those affected.
This paper examines the impact of drug use which remains a fundamental concern among homelessness services across the country, and is frequently identified as both causing and perpetuating ill-health, homelessness and acute social exclusion among their service users.
Youth Homelessness in Wales - Social Justice and Regeneration Committee Review A consultation response from Cymorth Cymru
This paper presents an overview of some of the key issues affecting youth homelessness in Wales
Youth Homelessness Report from consultation event hosted by the Welsh Assembly Government and Cymorth Cymru, November 8th 2007 (Nov 07)
This paper refers to an event which was held in order to consider the Social Justice and Regeneration Committee's report Youth Homelessness - Everybody's business, no-one's responsibility (NAW, 2007), and in particular to examine the various recommendations contained within it.
Seventy professionals from the homelessness, housing and youth sectors attended the event, including representatives from voluntary sector services, housing associations and local authorities across Wales.
Homeless people's healthcare needs and access to healthcare provision in Wales July 2007
This document is a summary of the report Homeless people's healthcare needs and access to healthcare provision in Wales, prepared by Prof Susan Hutson on behalf of Cymorth Cymru.