Waking night support consultation

We are seeking your views on a proposal to change night support arrangements at three sheltered housing schemes: Deborah Lodge, Gadsbury Close and Speedwell House.

Introduction

The council currently funds a ‘waking night support’ service to tenants living at Deborah Lodge, Gadsbury Close and Speedwell House. This involves one carer being present at each of these schemes funded by Barnet Council between 9pm and 7am, seven days a week.

The waking night support was originally provided to support a small number of tenants at night following an assessment of need by Adult Social Care. However, currently all tenants at night, regardless of whether they have assessed eligible needs, are able to access this. This is far broader than the intended purpose of the service at the point it was commissioned.

What are we proposing?

The council is proposing that council funding towards waking night support for all tenants at all three sheltered schemes ends, but we want to make sure that any individuals with eligible care and support needs continue to have their needs met.

Why are we proposing this?

• The scheme has evolved beyond the scope of its intended purpose and is now available of all tenants regardless of need.
• Our review did not indicate that the service was meeting eligible care and support needs for tenants now residing at the sheltered schemes.
• We believe there are other ways to support any residents who may have eligible care and support needs.

Before making a decision, we want to first hear the views of the tenants of these sheltered housing schemes, their families and support networks on their views on our proposal.

We also want to ensure these adults have time to request a Care Act Assessment, if they feel they need one; so we can understand how best to support anyone with an eligible care and support need across these sheltered housing schemes (including those needing waking night support).

Tenants and their families can request a Care Act assessment by contacting socialcaredirect@barnet.gov.uk with the subject: Sheltered Plus Assessment Request.

You can find more information on our proposal in our consultation document.

Following the 8-week consultation period the council will then make a decision on this proposal based on the responses to the consultation and the outcome of individual Care Act assessments.

Why are we consulting?

We want to hear your views on the proposal and if you support it, we also want to understand:

• how proposed changes to the night support might impact tenants
• what additional support, if any, tenants may need if the suggested change were to go ahead.

Give us your views

The consultation is open to all tenants and their families at Deborah Lodge, Gadbury Close and Speedwell House, as well as members of the public.

Please take the time to read our consultation document before and then give us your views on our proposal by completing the online questionnaire.

For any further information, or to request a questionnaire in an alternative format, please email engage.adults@barnet.gov.uk or telephone 020 8359 7582 (Tuesday – Thursday).