Audit Commission

The Supporting People programme administered by the London Borough of Haringey is rated as good with promising prospects to improve, according to an independent report released today by the Audit Commission.

The Audit Commission inspection team gave the service two stars out of a possible three because the programme is delivering a number of positive outcomes for service users. New services have been commissioned and re-shaped which are offering more choice for residents, the quality of services is good, and people who use the services have opportunities to become involved at a local level.

Adrian Brown, Audit Commission senior manager, said:
'The council is working in partnership with key stakeholders in delivering a good service that is addressing the needs of the most vulnerable in the borough. There is a clear Supporting People vision of commissioning and procurement and delivering quality that has led to engagement with the diverse communities of the borough. There is scope and the capacity for further improvements which has been recognised by the council, and work is in place to ensure continuous progress in delivering positive outcomes for people.'

The inspectors found:

• that priority is given to developing and delivering services that properly respond to the diverse needs of the local population;
• that unmet need is identified and well researched, and some new services are being delivered to respond to existing service gaps;
• that the Council has put great emphasis on performance management and the delivery of high quality services and is achieving positive outcomes for vulnerable people because of this.
• that leadership of the programme has been strong with good partnership working and governance arrangements;
• that there is evidence of improving value for money based on a clear strategy for achieving this;
• that the Council has further work to do to ensure that plans to re-shape older people services is developed in a timely manner;
• that the capacity of some service providers needs further development in order to ensure a targeted and seamless transition for people who are ready to move on to greater independence. This is particularly the case in homelessness and mental health services; and
• that move-on accommodation for people in supported housing remains a challenge for Haringey although a number of actions are being taken to improve this.

To help the service improve, inspectors made a number of recommendations:

• strengthen service user involvement;
• developing a move-on strategy; and
• make improvements to the existing complaints procedures.

The London Borough of Haringey has a population of approximately 225,000. It is the 10th most deprived borough in England and Wales and has high rates of homelessness, deprivation and crime and disorder.

Haringey has Supporting People Grant of £21 million for 2006/07. The Council also received a grant of £232,00 to cover administration costs for 2006/07. The budget helps to fund services providing Housing Related Support. These services work directly with more than 5,400 vulnerable households. Supporting People funds services to vulnerable people ranging from teenage parents to older people requiring extra care.

Copies of the report are available from Haringey Council or on the Audit Commission website at www.audit-commission.gov.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Audit Commission is an independent body responsible for ensuring that public money is spent economically, efficiently and effectively, to achieve high-quality local services for the public. Our remit covers around 11,000 bodies in England, which between them spend more than £180 billion of public money each year. Our work covers local government, health, housing, community safety and fire and rescue services.

2. As an independent watchdog, we provide important information on the quality of public services. As a driving force for improvement in those services, we provide practical recommendations and spread best practice. As an independent auditor, we ensure that public services are good value for money and that public money is properly spent.

3. For further information about the Audit Commission, visit our website at www.audit-commission.gov.uk.