About Sitra South West
Sitra has had a regional office in the South West since 2001 and has a Policy Officer based in Bristol. We have over 120 members based in the region, ranging from small support providers to large housing associations and local authorities.
Along with our contribution to Sitra's national role, we work on policy issues with members and partners in the South West, for example by participation in the South West Regional Provider Forum, Supporting People Regional Implementation Group and Regional Housing Strategy Vulnerable People Implementation Group (VPIG). Our services in the region include an ongoing programme of public training courses, seminars and other events around the region. We also deliver in-house training and consultancy services to members and other customers in the South West. For further information on any of our services, see our current Services Guide.
South West care and support conference
Extinction or Evolution? Tools to transform
The South West regional Housing Care and Support Conference, entitled 'Extinction or Evolution? Tools to transform' took place on 12 May in Exeter.
Speakers from across the sector, including Vic Rayner, Sitra's CEO, set out their perspectives on the changes we have seen and their expectations for the future.
Making the local case for housing support services
At this time of threatened severe cuts to public spending, many provider organisations want to make the case for the benefits of preventative housing support services. The South West Regional Provider Forum agreed that a template or model document, which local Provider Forums could adapt and supplement with local information to use in local work with MPs, councillors and any other decision makers they can influence, would be a valuable resource. It would be usable first in relation to the Government’s Spending Review, but after that with a more local focus as local authorities decide what to prioritise. Sitra have drafted a template briefing from which providers can select what they think will work best in their area. National sources of information are referenced in the documents. Local sources of information will include the authority’s Supporting People and Sustainable Community Strategies, Local Area Agreement priorities and targets, any local modelling of the Capgemini financial benefits tool and authority level outcomes reports from the Centre for Housing Research at St Andrews.
For guidance on identifying who to brief, see Sitra’s report on local strategic engagement, Navigating the Maze.
South West Personalisation Working Group
The South West Regional Provider Forum and Regional Implementation Group have set up a joint working party to share and disseminate information on good practice in the personalisation of support services. Its terms of reference, minutes and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) can be found on the Regional Groups page of the Supporting People South West website at www.spsouthwest.co.uk
South West Access to Services survey
The South West Regional Provider Forum (RPF) and the South West Regional Implementation Group of Supporting People Managers (RIG) wished to share what was being learned from the introduction of various forms of single points of access to local authority funded housing support services. So that all participants felt free to share both negative and positive feedback, it was agreed that this survey should be conducted on the basis of anonymous responses. The initial information on what access arrangements are currently in place was provided by Supporting People teams to the RIG Co-ordinator. Sitra carried out the survey and analysis of the responses. The report on the survey findings and a summary of the current access arrangements in the region is here.
South West VPIG Small Providers Report
This report was commissioned by the South West Regional Housing Strategy Vulnerable People Implementation Group (VPIG) on the significance and impact of small providers of housing support services in the region. The study identifies for the first time the numbers, proportion and type of provision by small organisations in the South West and reviews the impact of current policy developments on such organisations. The study was carried out by Sitra with support from the SW RIG.
Lessons Learned from Procurement - South West Survey Report
The South West Regional Provider Forum and Regional Implementation Group have worked together to review experiences of procurement of Supporting People funded services in the region. Both providers and commissioners took part in the survey so that common ground could be identified and learning from the experiences shared by all parties. The recommendations focus on issues of shared concern including timetables, accommodation and support links, transfers of services and TUPE, tender documentation and communication. Click here to download the report.
Consultancy in the South West
For more details on how Sitra West can help you with your consultancy requirements click here.
