Cabinet to decide on supported living service arrangements

The way supported living in Staffordshire is arranged could be transformed to ensure they offer a good quality of care, promote independence and help people achieve their goals.

More than 400 people in the county with physical or learning disabilities, or mental health issues, have supported living arrangements. Supported living schemes offer them housing along with care and support whenever they need it.

Over the summer, people living in supported living arrangements, their parents and carers as well as housing and care providers, plus district and borough councils, have been asked what they would like to see taken into account when new services are commissioned.

Now, in a paper to be discussed at the county council’s cabinet meeting next week, officers are recommending that supported living services are commissioned in a way promotes quality care and support, consistency of care across the county, and ensures supported living services are available for people with a range of needs.

Cabinet Member for Health and Care Julia Jessel said: “Supported living services give people with physical and learning disabilities, mental health issues the care and support they need, while also ensuring they can be as independent as they wish. It is important that the services provided offer good quality care, promote independence, and offer the best value for money.

“After talking to people who use our care and support, providers and other stakeholders, it is clear they want us to ensure we get the best quality of care from our contracting arrangements, one that builds on people’s strengths, promotes independence, and allows them to achieve the outcomes they want.”

The paper will be discussed at a meeting of the county council’s cabinet on October 19.