It's been a concern for many and a topic of conversation on here in the past. I'm not sure how well this is going to work - time will tell!!
Older and vulnerable people living in sheltered housing will continue to receive a care and support service in their own homes despite funding cuts to warden services.
We announced proposals to cut our funding to warden services at older people's sheltered accommodation in 2014, as part of wider cuts to housing-related support services.
Following a 14-week consultation, which included extensive discussions with providers of the warden services and users of the service, we agreed to extend the £750,000 per year funding until March 2016.
Although the warden service will end next month, we've been working to provide an alternative support service for older and vulnerable people living in sheltered housing and this will begin as soon as the current service stops.
A number of landlords running sheltered housing schemes have also found ways to reduce the effect of the change on their tenants.
Up to 800 people at sheltered housing schemes across the county use the warden service, and from 1 April those who choose to will be assigned a support worker who will discuss their needs and how they can be supported to continue living independently, safely and well.
The support will include helping people with benefits, filling in forms, advising them on other services they may need and home visits where appropriate.
Our Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Councillor Paul Smith said:
"We have done everything we can to keep services running while our budgets are cut back year-on-year but we're facing the seventh year of the Government's austerity cuts and are having to make some really difficult decisions.
"Where we have to make cuts, we're not just walking away and leaving people to their own devices.
"We're working hard to find solutions where we can, listening to people and trying to find solutions that provide help and support where possible.
"We know how important the warden service has been for people and appreciate this has been an anxious time for them.
"However, we are confident the alternative service that will be available will still support people to live independently, safely and well in their own homes."
We'll be sending a letter to people receiving the warden service this week explaining the change and how the new service will be able to support them.
Topic: Support service will continue at older people's sheltered housing (Read 786 times)