NORTH SOMERSET, BRISTOL, BATH AND NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCILS CARE AND REPAIR COMMISSIONING AT SCALE TO SECURE A WIDER RANGE OF SUPPORT AND INNOVATION FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN MAINSTREAM Bristol City Council, North Somerset Council and Bath and North East Somerset Council jointly commission sector-leading care and repair services across all three council areas from a single organisation, West of England Care & Repair (WEC&R), the largest independent home improvement agency in England. This arrangement is covered by a four year contract which has been extended for two years. The councils have jointly commissioned this service and pooled their resources to secure economies of scale in the delivery of a range of services to support older and disabled people to live well in their existing homes, eg through providing home improvements, handyperson services, adaptions and support with hospital discharge. Bristol City Council was responsible for the procurement of the services on behalf of the three authorities and each authority draws down to suit their requirements. Jointly commissioning these services over a large area from a single organisation has enabled WEC&R to use the size of the contract and the associated economies of scale to innovate by providing additional service capacity and added value to the councils and the older people living in their areas.
Housing and older people context The need for the types of practical assistance provided by a home improvement agency (HIA) service has been long established in all three council areas. Historically these types of HIA services were commissioned, funded and provided in different ways by each council. Evidence of the need for HIA type services has come from a range of sources including older people’s strategies and plans, housing needs assessments and private sector housing stock condition surveys. The make-up of housing stock by tenure is predominantly owner occupation amongst older people although this does vary between areas, eg in North Somerset it is over 70 per cent; in Bath and North East Somerset 68 per cent of the stock is owner occupied and 34 per cent of these are occupied by residents over 65 years. The growth in the private rented sector is a recent trend that has also fed into growing demand for HIA type services. The core services available under the contract are: • a comprehensive information and advice line • handyperson service • technical support for home repairs, maintenance and adaptations • casework, advocacy and support • independent living centre services • training and advice for professionals.
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HOUSING OUR AGEING POPULATION
