Bringing care home: promoting independence through integrated working

The way care and support is delivered at home makes a real difference to the ability of older people and those with complex needs to lead independent lives, whatever their housing setting.

These short films, jointly commissioned with Skills for Care, powerfully demonstrate how housing, care and support staff in three different organisations skilfully work to respond to the needs and wishes of residents and clients to deliver tailored care and support across a range of homely environments.

Launched at the Housing LIN's 2014 annual conference this month, Jeremy Porteus said: "Each film sensitively captures the views and experiences of residents in extra care and supported housing, where there is access to on-site personal care and support, along with those receiving at home services in ordinary housing. And whether planned care, crisis interventions or personalisation or a mixture of all three, at their heart they show the commitment to delivering person-centred outcomes determined by customer choice and control"

In welcoming the films, Sharon Allen, Chief Executive, Skills for Care said: "As well as being a registered social worker I am a member of the Chartered Institute of Housing and board member of a local housing association, so I am acutely aware of the absolute need for people to have flexible care and support that allows them maximum choice and control in their lives no matter where they live. Also that for well-being, people need somewhere safe and affordable as their home.
The power of these videos is that they take three very different settings clearly showing how integrating care and support round the needs of the individual not only leads to much improved outcomes, but is cost effective too"

In the first film, staff at an Extra Care Housing scheme in Yorkshire, managed by Guinness Care & Support, support older residents to overcome loneliness and isolation and build new social networks and meaningful relationships.

In the second film, staff in a busy supported housing scheme in Hackney, managed by Family Mosaic Housing Association, work closely with residents with enduring mental illness to provide an environment that enables them to live independently in the community.

The third film showcases the integrated approach that SEQOL have pioneered to deliver effective whole-system working in Swindon. Joining up community matrons, therapy and care staff, including the use of telehealth/care, staff deliver seamless care at home and prevent admissions into more institutional care.

We are grateful to everyone involved in making these films.

And finally, if you are interested in the issues raised in these films and would like to know about the individual coaching or mentoring available from the Housing LIN, email us at info@housinglin.org.uk