Glossary
The world of Supporting People is full of jargon and abbreviations and some of the language associated with Supporting People can be
hard to understand and difficult to follow.
The following list contains definitions of commonly used words, phrases and abbreviations it is intended to help you understand the language of Supporting People.
If you come across a word or a phrase that is not listed here please contact
us and we will add it to the list
5-year Strategy
The Strategy that was submitted to the ODPM in March 2005 and outlines the plans of the Sunderland SP programme for the following 5 years.
Accreditation
A process for assessing the viability and competence of an organisation and formally recognising their ability to provide services.
Process of checking the financial and administrative ability of an organisation to provider SP services, prior to awarding the steady state contract (see below)
Administering Authority (AA)
The local Authority (Sunderland City Council) responsible for operating the SP programme in the area.
Audit Commission
An independent body responsible for ensuring that public money is used responsibly, economically, efficiently and effectively.
Block Gross Contracts
Contracts for services where payments are fixed regardless of how many people are using the service.
CLG
Communities and Local Government. The Central Government Department responsible for the SP programme (formerly ODPM/DCLG).
Client Group
A category such as 'older people with support needs'or 'Teenage Parents' used to help SP teams to monitor who is accessing services
and identify where there is need for new services.
Client Record Form
Forms used to monitor all new clients who use Supporting People services, these are completed by Service Providers.
The data is used to help SP Teams identify needs.
Commissioning Body
In Sunderland, the Commissioning Body is made up of representatives from Housing, Adult Services, Health, and Probation.
The body is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the local SP Programme.
Financial Assessment
For chargeable services (services that are delivered long - term, 2 years+) a Fairer Charging Financial assessment is done for
service users. It is a test used to assess how much, if anything, service users are expected to pay for the support they get.
This test is carried out by Welfare Benefits. In Sunderland, Charging is on hold for two years as we are currently reviewing the way
people are charged.
Floating support
Support attached to a 'service user'and not the property, and when the service user leaves the property the support follows
a service user when they move to another property. A client does not have to live at a certain address to receive the service.
HIA (Home Improvement Agency)
This is a support service that enables people to remain in their own homes for as long as they wish and to promote independent living.
This service type is usually focused around practical support related to the accommodation
– e.g. maintenance and adaptations – but often also provide a wider range of services such as advice, advocacy and signposting to other support services.
Housing Benefit
A means tested state benefit paid to council or private tenants who need help in paying their rent.
Housing Related Support
Support specifically aimed at helping people to establish themselves, or stay in, their own homes.
Examples of housing related support include helping people learn to:
- manage their money,
- apply for benefits,
- keep their home secure,
- access other services.
Interim Contracts
An initial contract that was given to all services providing housing related support.
Interim Contracts ran from 01/04/03 - 31/03/06.
ODPM
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Now called the CLG (Communities and Local Government)
Partnership Forum
This is a meeting that generally occurs twice a year within the Sunderland SP Team.
All of our Service Providers and other stakeholders come together with the SP Team to gather people's views about
SP issues and developments.
Performance indicators
Performance statistics submitted to the Supporting People teams by Service Providers.
They are used to measure and assess how well services are performing.
Providers Forum
This is a meeting where all of a Service Providers gather with the SP team to talk about and raise issues
in relation to their services, developments, etc. The meeting generally occurs every quarter.
QAF (Quality Assessment Framework)
Quality Assessment Framework is a set of criteria used by the Service Provider to self assess the quality of their service/s.
The Supporting People team use the results, with the aim of continually improving the quality of services in Sunderland.
QAF Lite
QAF Lite is a variation of the Quality Assessment Framework for Supporting People services.
The QAF Lite includes fewer requirements than the QAF itself in recognition of the inappropriateness and difficulties of applying many of the requirements to more informally delivered services and services with low levels of Supporting People Grant.
This would mainly used by small providers etc.
Service objectives
Service objectives (core and supplementary) are national standards that are used by providers when they carry out the QAF self-assessment to
Service Provider/Support Provider
The organisation providing housing-related support services paid for by Supporting People.
Organisation types include Registered Social Landlords, voluntary sector organisations, local authorities, charities and the private sector.
Service review
A review of the strategic relevance and the quality, performance and cost-effectiveness of a Supporting People service prior to the expiry of its contract.
A process through which the SP Team look at the quality, performance and value of all services commissioned through the programme
Service users
People who receive a SP support service.
Service User Forum
A Service User Forum will be held at least once a year. The SP Team invites a number of service users to attend from each scheme in order to get their views and opinion on service improvement and which other services they feel are required within the City.
Service User Involvement
Service Users are asked for feedback about the services provided to them during a Service Review, by their providers and when invited
to Forums where they can meet other service users and have discussions about the SP services.
The Sunderland SP Team also expand on opportunities for service users to get involved.
Sheltered Housing
Housing specifically for older and/or disabled people.
Includes a block or group of houses with resident or visiting warden, and individual houses, bungalows and flats which receive support from a mobile warden or pendant (emergency) alarm service.
SP
Supporting People
Stakeholders
Individuals and organisations that have a interest in a service area.
Steady State Contract
The Steady State Contract has been issued to replace the Interim Contract as all service reviews have been completed in Sunderland
All Steady State Contracts are effective from 01/04/06.
Strategic Group
A group made up of representatives from Housing, Supporting People, Probation, Adult Services, Children's Services and Domestic Violence that meet to shape the direction and priorities for the Supporting People strategy.
Strategic Relevance
This looks at whether a Supporting People service meets the needs of the people of Sunderland and whether there is demand for the service and if it is eligible for SP funding.
Supporting People grant
Money from the government to pay for housing related support services under the Supporting People programme.
Supporting People Programme
The programme came into effect on 1 April 2003, and pays for services providing housing related support.
Services are monitored on their quality, performance and cost.
Support Service
A service eligible for funding through Supporting People.
Support provided at this service could include:
-advice on maintaining a tenancy,
- help with filling in forms,
- help with keeping accommodation safe and secure, etc.
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