SCSH Briefing

September 2001

Funding Floating Support

An overview of the Transitional Housing Benefit Scheme and Supporting People

This briefing focuses on the funding of Floating Support services through THBS and Supporting People. It outlines both funding streams and offers practical suggestions for service providers.

THBS and Supporting People

A Divisional Court Hearing decision in 1997 and a governmental inter-departmental review highlighted the need for fundamental changes to the HB scheme in relation to housing support. Interim regulations were produced and replaced in April 2000 by the Transitional Housing Benefit Scheme (THBS) which is now a key access point for funding Floating Support. In 2003, THBS will be replaced by "Supporting People" a broader funding regime which also provides a new legislative framework for housing support services. It intends to enable people

• to remain in or establish themselves independently in the community, whatever their tenure1
• Current Supporting People literature indicates that it will seek to achieve this by encouraging:
• the growth of services that are more flexible - suited to individual circumstances
• collaborative approaches to provide seamless service provision
• services that place stakeholders (including service users) at the centre

As the practice of Floating Support complements this ethos and its achievement, it should be well placed to attract Supporting People funding. This optimism though is tempered by the possible impact of differences between Supporting People and THBS, namely:

THBS

• support is a condition of the tenancy
• support is defined as a series of activities that fit eligibility criteria
• funds the housing provider who then pays the support provider 3

Supporting People

• support does not have to be a condition of the tenancy
• it is expected that support - in the process of being defined 2 - provides individually tailored packages
• funds the service provider (block funding) or - to a lesser extent - the service user directly

This gives rise to a complex situation in which services need to demonstrate their appropriateness within two distinctive frameworks. At this stage it is important therefore that Floating Support stakeholders find out whether their service is eligible for THBS in the short term or Supporting People in the long term - and if not what work is required. The effort spent on this should be balanced with the advantages of accessing processes that may result in offers of specific funding4. The next part of the briefing suggests key points to focus on. Because THBS is not a uniform process - councils are guided (rather than directed) by central government - experience may vary from area to area.

At this stage organisations should be gathering the right information from the right sources, translating service activities into the language of THBS and preparing for Supporting People.

1) Networking and information gathering are key to both processes. It may be useful at this stage to ask:

• Do we have relevant information about THBS and Supporting People ?
• Who is the local contact for THBS and who is the council's Supporting People lead officer ?
• What are their strategic priorities for housing with support ?
• How are the council interpreting THBS and Supporting People ?
• Is there a need for direct lobbying to influence funders ?
• Is it useful to find out how other local councils are working ?
• Are there other local agencies that have already accessed THBS that can help ?

2) Promoting services - as a means for supporting funding applications - is already a well established practice. At present the service has to demonstrate its appropriateness for THBS, and in due course, how it fits with the local Supporting People strategy. It is not entirely clear whether services will be measured purely against THBS eligibility criteria or whether there is scope now for developing services that are broader but may be sustainable under Supporting People. If your service doesn't meet THBS criteria but reflects Supporting People goals therefore, it may be worthwhile to make a case for inclusion. It is becoming apparent that pre-tenancy support (not eligible for HB) and Supporting People type services have been able to access THBS in a number of areas of Scotland.

3) Information that is required is found in circulars, HB/CTB A47/99 and HB/CTB A10/2001. The Scottish Executive's Consultation Paper 7 is also important as is Draft SFHA guidelines for Housing Associations 30/07/01. There are 2 main types of costing information required:

• the activities required to give the support (within eligibility criteria e.g. general counselling and support e.g. assistance with personal budgeting)
• staff time and associated costs (this could include management, training, client assessment or where other staff are required e.g. to uphold Health and Safety)to provide the activities

4) Remember

• accessing THBS and Supporting People has to remain consistent with the organisation's service objectives and service user needs
• councils are new to this process as well and thus are keen to work with service providers
• working with councils is your opportunity for informing wider strategies
• reviews that you do for THBS are a positive tool for developing your own wider vision
• the value of your existing expertise in funding and resourcing services
• local interpretations and understanding are different which could be an advantage for you when lobbying
• be active in the debate by participating in the Scottish Executive consultation process
• THBS is a significant gateway to Supporting People - but it a temporary measure until 2003 with more limited scope than Supporting People.

footnotes

1 Scottish Executive Supporting People: Interim Start-up Guidance sections 1.1.2 and 1.1.3 February 2001

2 Scottish Executive Supporting People Consultation Paper 7 "Definitions of Housing Support"

3 This means that the support provider could be excluded if the housing provider does not access THBS

4 Although the pot is limited and hybrid funding packages may still be required.

© 2001 Scottish Council for Single Homeless