Supporting People cuts could force closure of small hostels and refuges

Government cuts in the Supporting People budget could force the
closure of services for vulnerable people, service providers have
warned.

Managing director of Housing Supporting Management Joe Halewood
said homeless hostels and women’s refuges with fewer than 11 beds
which provide around-the- clock support will be hardest hit.

The government is demanding that councils make 2.5 per cent
“efficiency gains” this year and have warned them to expect further
cuts in next year’s Supporting People budget. It is forcing some to
cap the amount spent on individuals’ care.

Halewood said if support per person was capped it would lead to
more rough sleepers, “sofa surfing” and an increase in single
people living in B&B accommodation.

For example, Bristol Council is proposing a maximum of up to 16
hours’ support for housing-related intensive care. Blackpool
Council is believed to be limiting the cost of support to the
social services domiciliary rate.

“If a hostel has 10 beds and is offering 24/7 cover and the average
working week is 38 hours, the hostel will require around four and a
half staff to make up the 168 hours required.

“If a council is only going to pay 16 hours per person per week on
intensive care, then the hostel will have a shortfall and cease to
be viable,” said Halewood.

Novas group housing management co-ordinator John Souray said a
consultation document on the Bristol proposals “alarmed” him. “We
can see right in front of our eyes a gap in provision being
created, a hole in the welfare net for people to fall through,” he
added.

A Bristol Council spokesperson said it was consulting providers
over its Supporting People strategy. “There has been no hard and
fast position taken with regard to maximum hours of support. But it
is important that providers and service users are aware that
services cannot be open ended,” he said.