NATIONAL REVIEW OF CARE & REPAIR

The Scottish Government has begun a review of Care & Repair services in Scotland. The purpose is to consider the future of C&R within the overall policy context of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006. It has been 15 years since the last review by Pieda/Raitt. There have been many changes to services over the years. The review will examine stakeholder’s issues and concerns and plan for future change.

ODS Consulting has been appointed as the contractor to collate information for the review. Their work will involve a wide ranging survey to gather the views of Projects, partners and other stakeholders, followed by two consultative workshops in December.

ODS will also develop practice profiles that can be shared and replicated by other projects.
ODS will submit a draft report in February that will be considered by the Care & Repair Working Group. The final ODS report is expected in March 2009 and Scottish Government will finalise the review process, based on its findings.

10th ANNIVERSARY – NORTH LANARKSHIRE

Care & Repair staff and clients.

Care & Repair officially started with one officer on 22 June 1998, and has as its aim “the provision of assistance to elderly or disabled owner-occupiers or private sector tenants, to have repairs, improvements or adaptations organised which will help them to remain in the safety and comfort of their homes.”

The project has been managed by Clyde Valley Housing Association since its inception, with the Association providing key support and services to non-client functions, thus allowing the Care & Repair project staff to provide tailored home-based services to clients.

The project now comprises 9 full-time and 2 part-time staff members who provide building works, minor works and maintenance, advice and referral services, and an in-house small repairs service.

At 31 March 2008, the project had received 12,148 enquiries and completed 1,720 works cases, 1,932 advice cases and 7,485 small repairs.

The project works closely with North Lanarkshire Council Housing and Social Work and NHS Lanarkshire, who provide revenue funding.  

Care & Repair in North Lanarkshire is undergoing an open tendering procedure by North Lanarkshire Council and NHS Lanarkshire which will determine future services and management arrangements beyond 31 March 2009.

HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY!

East Lothian Care & Repair recently celebrated 21 years of delivering a successful and well received service to home owners and tenants of private landlords in the community who are aged 60 or over (or aged over 50 with a disability).

Staff and Committee members met together at the AGM, held in Haddington Town House. Susan Buckle and David Bookbinder from the Scottish Government were the guest speakers. They outlined the provisions of the Housing Scotland Act 2006 and Government’s plans to introduce a Scheme of Assistance to all homeowners in Scotland. The scheme will provide advice and assistance to people that will enable them to carry out repairs to their homes.

East Lothian Housing Association Chief Executive, Martin Pollhammer, said “We are proud of the Care & Repair service’s achievements over the last 21 years, and the AGM was an excellent opportunity to celebrate the success of the past, as well as look forward to an exciting future”.