Supporting People strategy should protect vulnerable

The forthcoming Supporting People strategy must contain strong safeguards to prevent funding being withdrawn from the most vulnerable groups, according to a homeless charity.

Dominic Williamson, Homeless Link’s director of policy, practice and campaigns, said if the strategy, as expected, gave more financial freedom to local authorities, there could be a tendency to “close the door” on the most unpopular or mobile groups.

The much-delayed strategy, expected later this month, is thought likely to recommend delivering Supporting People through local area agreements, with councils deciding how to spend the money to achieve nationally-agreed outcomes.

Williamson also called for more flexibility in how SP funding could be spent by providers, to take in issues such as training.