Supporting People

Supporting People is a working partnership between

• Islington Council
• The Probation Service
• Islington Primary Care Trust (PCT)

Provider organisations, service users and their carers are also involved in the partnership. The aim of this partnership is to deliver locally relevant housing related support services to help vulnerable people live independently in the community.

The Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) directs many elements of the programme, but the services that each programme provides reflect the local needs of the communities they serve.

Supporting People offers vulnerable people the opportunity to improve their quality of life through greater independence. This is achieved by providing housing related support to prevent problems that can often lead to tenancy failure, hospitalisation, institutional care or homelessness. It can also help smooth the transition from accommodation based residential support to independent living .

'Good, two star, service with promising prospects for improvement'

The Supporting People programme administered by Islington has been assessed as a 'good, two star, service with promising prospects for improvement’, according to an independent report by the Audit Commission, published in May 2007 .

The Audit Commission carried out an inspection in January 2007 in conjunction with the Commission for Social Care Inspection and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation. On a scale from zero to three stars, the Audit Commission inspection team gave the programme two stars. Adrian Brown, Lead Housing Inspector for the Audit Commission’s London region, said: ‘Islington has effectively engaged partners in delivering the Supporting People programme and the overarching strategy is developed. Service reviews have been used to improve value for money and the quality of services and comprehensive contract monitoring arrangements are in place.'

You can download a copy of the Supporting People Inspection Report below.

Islington Supporting People provides a helping hand

Islington Supporting People has an online directory of housing support services. The directory aims to improve access to housing support services, by providing an accessible, relevant and central information point.

If you would like help from one of these services, or would like information on accessing supported accommodation in Islington, contact the Supporting People Referrals Co-ordinator on 020 7527 4656 /4369 or email supportingpeople@islington.gov.uk .