Paddock Johnson, in partnership with NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, hosted a debate with a network of people working in the delivery of housing and transforming care for people who have learning disabilities and/or autism. Invited guests represented the NHS, a Local Authority, Registered Providers and experts working in the delivery of specialist housing.
The debate gathered thoughts and ideas around; how can we collaboratively overcome the barriers that are blocking the creation of supporting housing and create a better way forward.
Why are people staying in hospital longer than necessary?
1 in 3 hospital beds are being taken up by people who are medically fit for discharge. And furthermore, the Assessment of future accommodation with support needs, produced by Campbell Tickell for Cheshire and Merseyside Transforming Care Partnership, predicts that an additional 1,679 units are needed in the Cheshire and Merseyside area over the next 10 years.
The assessment of suitable housing is not always considered early enough in the mental health hospital discharge process. This creates the primary barrier, even before we collectively start to think about the delivery of the homes, of how we enable people to be discharged in a timely way into appropriate housing within the community.
Several other factors seem to be contributing to the wider problem:
- A lack of suitable housing; based on size, specification, fixtures and finishes
- The initial high cost of land
- The need for a small number of homes; often just one or two
- Viability for potential development partners
- Availability and access to funding
Part of the solution might also lie in the re-use of existing buildings, through appropriate conversion and adaptions, but again, historic connections with funding sources associated with the original development (eg. Homes England funding) create barriers.
So, we come back round to the issue that there is a need for bespoke and purpose designed homes for people who have complex needs, learning difficulties and autism, but the current funding structures do not provide the opportunity for the higher rent charges to be accommodated.
Paddock Johnson is currently working alongside Regenda and together with Care Housing Association to deliver a project of 11 ‘own front door’ homes. Planning for the longer term, a group of families wanted to ensure the occupiers, their sons and daughters who have learning difficulties, have access to quality specialist supported housing to enable them to live happy and fulfilled lives.
SUMMARY
From our discussion it seems there are several things that need to change. There is an initial need to raise awareness of the actual problem.
Government officials and Homes England need to be fully briefed on the problem and the barriers, which are contributing to the lack of suitable housing development and the delays in the planning and management of this.
Part of the problem also lies in the areas of funding, and the restrictions that are set, but if adapted could have the potential to bring about the critical funding change that is needed. Isn’t it time we gave the appropriate level of consideration to work together, to reduce the number of medically fit people living in hospital, by raising awareness of the issue and working collaboratively to find solutions to overcome barriers and place people into the homes they deserve.
To read the full paper visit https://paddockjohnson.com/insights/how-can-we-collaboratively deliver-the-urgently-needed-specialist-supported-housing
CONTRIBUTORS TO THE DISCUSSION INCLUDED:
- Abdul Latif – Golden Lane Housing
- Amanda Wrenn – Places for People
- Chris Bowen – Torus
- Clare Skidmore – National Strategic Housing Lead, Learning Disability and Autism
Programme, NHS England - Jane Bellwood – NHS England Regional Housing Lead (North West)
- Katie Fleeman – LCR Combined Authority
- Libby Eastley – Magenta
- Maria Killick – Paddock Johnson
- Martin Davies – Sett Housing Consultancy
- Paula Underwood – Torus
- Sarah Houghton Grimshaw – NHS Cheshire and Merseyside
- Simon Halliwell – Paddock Johnson
- Steve Metcalf – Sefton Council
- Victoria Millward – Paddock Johnson