History

Prior to the introduction of Supporting People, housing support services were provided on an ad-hoc basis and funded from different sources such as Transitional Housing Benefit, Special Needs Allowance Package, and Resettlement Grant.  Supporting People has replaced these historical funding streams, and offered a single funding framework for housing support services as well as providing a strategic process to assess need and supply in local areas enabling provision to be arranged accordingly.  The Supporting People Strategy should be linked to local plans for health improvement, social inclusion and community care as well as strategies for local housing and homelessness to ensure service provision fits with local priority and need.

Through the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 the Scottish Executive are able to make Supporting People grant payments to Local Authorities and provide legislative guidance on how the monies can be used.  Legislation also outlines that housing support services have to be subject to quality monitoring via contractual procedures and registration with the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I now pay my housing support charges to the local authority instead of my housing support provider?

Under Supporting People local authorities have become responsible for funding housing support services.  The local authority will have entered into a contract with your housing support provider for the provision of the services you are receiving.  The local authority will then pay the provider for the services and collect charges from you directly.  Any rent and housing management charges will need to continue to be paid to your landlord.

What should I do if my circumstances change?

The local authority needs to know of any changes in your circumstances.  For instance if you become entitled to Housing Benefit, the Supporting People team needs to be made aware as soon as possible so that you can be made exempt from charging.  The Supporting People Team also needs to know if you require a greater or lesser amount of support so as your support package can be adjusted to meet your needs.

What if I am unhappy with my service?

If you are unhappy with the level of service you receive from your support worker or warden, contact the main offices of the provider whose contact details you should find in your support plan.  You can also express your concerns to your social worker or the Supporting People team itself.  The Supporting People Team are developing a communications strategy which includes procedures for comments and complaints that are in-line with general Council policy.  There are also other external bodies to which you can complain, such as Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and the Care Commission in Scotland.

Can I get Supporting People money paid directly to me instead of a provider?

If you have been assessed as requiring housing support, it is possible that you can be paid directly.  It is known as a ‘Direct Payment’ and local authorities have a duty to offer it in place of providing services to eligible people.  Currently only those people who are disabled can apply for direct payments but the scheme is to be expanded to include all client groups.  Any direct payment money must be used to purchase services that will meet your assessed needs.  It cannot cover any costs associated with starting up provision, such as advertising for staff.  For further information on Direct Payments, visit Direct Payments Scotland.