Shropshire Supporting People Provider Forum
Shropshire Supporting People Providers' Forum was formed in 2003 as a result of the new "Supporting People" programme - a Government programme which dramatically changed the way supported housing was funded, evaluated, and delivered.
The Forum is an arena whereby all can debate issues regarding support services, to work with the Supporting People Team, to make effective use of available funding and to inform and shape strategic direction. The Forum shares areas of concern, good working practices and where appropriate, training resources.
The four main aims of the Forum are:
- To protect and promote our service users interests, rights, and involvement.
- To promote collaborative and partnership working between Providers by having clear and consistent service standards across all services.
- To promote best practice in staff/employer conduct in the delivery of the service.
- To promote high standards and encourage all providers to contribute to a continuous improvement to Shropshire housing support services
These were formalised into a Forum Code of Practice in 2005.
The forum meets six times a year, and membership is open to all providers of housing related support. This includes small charities up to big national housing support providers. There are usually between 20-25 representatives at any one meeting.
The providers support vulnerable people in Shropshire who need extra help to achieve, or remain, independent within their community, and to achieve a better quality of life. The range of people supported by Forum members include:
- Older people in sheltered housing or within their own homes
- Young people at risk of homelessness, and in need of employment, lifeskills and training
- People with physical and mental health problems
- Victims of domestic abuse
- Gypsies and Travelers
- Adults with learning disabilities
- People who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless due to multiple problems ( e.g. substance misuse, alcohol, offending behaviour)
- People who are in financial difficulties
The Forum also includes representatives from Shropshire Supported Housing Group (previously the service user panel).
Topics of work that the Forum have influenced and progressed over the years include:
- Common Code of Practice for providers
- Supporting People strategy
- Development of service user involvement and lobbying for a service user co-ordinator post
- Development of outcomes based support work
- Development of an Older Persons Strategy
- Community Alarms common assessment and strategy
The Providers Forum registered with the Voluntary Sector Assembly in 2010 as a Forum of Interest. To find out more about the Forum use the contact details below:
Shirley Castree Chair of Provider Forum
Shirley.castree@severnsidehousing.co.uk
Hilary Paddock Vice Chair Older People and Representative on the VCS Assembly Board
Hilary.paddock@ss-ha.org.uk
Keith Turner Vice Chair Other Services
Keith.turner@homegroup.org.uk