Our consultancy team worked with Derby City Council to help them better understand the supported housing in their area. In the case study below, Derby City Council shares insights into how the project unfolded and the key lessons learned.
Our journey to improve Supported Exempt Accommodation in Derby has been a collaborative and insightful process.
At Derby City Council (DCC), we are committed to ensuring that all residents live in safe, high-quality housing, and receive the level of care, support, and supervision they need. This commitment drove us to seek external funding via the Supported Housing Improvement Programme (SHIP) to develop a Supported Exempt Accommodation (SEA) project aimed at improving non-commissioned transitional supported housing in Derby.
The challenge
Non-commissioned transitional supported housing in our city has been growing rapidly, with various providers offering schemes across Derby. SEA allows providers to charge higher rent levels as they are exempt from the usual benefit caps if residents require care, support, or supervision.
This rapid expansion made it essential to gain a comprehensive understanding of the current landscape and future needs of SEA in Derby.
The solution
Recognising the need for a thorough assessment of our current SEA provision and future demands, we set out to commission an external consultant. This process required a detailed brief, adherence to procurement rules, and full stakeholder engagement to ensure we achieved value for money.
Developing the brief and procurement process
We developed a detailed brief, outlining the scope and requirements of the needs, supply, and demand assessment. This brief was crucial in setting clear expectations and ensuring that the consultant understood our objectives. We are keen to learn from other Local Authorities across the country, so we hit google and our well used DASH Services address book and did our own research. Once this was done, we worked with colleagues in procurement and appointed a qualified consultant.
Partnering with experts
Our search led us to Homeless Link, an organisation with a proven track record in this area.
Together with Homeless Link, we agreed on a comprehensive specification, methodology, and a six-month timeline for the project. This would culminate in a draft report and consultation which would influence a final report.
Specification and methodology
A specification was developed by the council which detailed the requirements for data collection, stakeholder engagement, and analysis. Homeless Link's methodology included quantitative data analysis, qualitative interviews with stakeholders, and site visits to assess current SEA provisions. This mixed-methods approach ensured a thorough and nuanced understanding of the SEA landscape in Derby.
Collaborative approach
We’re always keen to work with partners to make life better for our citizens, and this collaborative approach was a key aspect of the project's success.
We held an inaugural meeting with supported housing providers in Derby to discuss the SEA project's aims and objectives. This meeting was well-attended, and providers were eager to engage with the newly formed SEA team. We introduced all team members and explained their roles, emphasising our commitment to working together to improve the SEA sector.
Engaging providers
It was crucial to get providers on board. We invited Homeless Link to a meeting to discuss the methodology and emphasise the importance of their participation. We assured providers that the findings would be shared with them, fostering transparency and collaboration.
The final report
In April 2024, Homeless Link delivered a draft report, which was presented to the SEA project board. After thorough consideration, consultation, and agreed amendments, the final report was produced in June 2024. This comprehensive report includes conclusions and recommendations that will guide our strategic planning for new SEA schemes and developments.
Contract management and oversight
Throughout the project, we held monthly contract meetings to monitor progress, address any issues, and ensure the project stayed on track. This proactive management approach allowed us to maintain momentum and swiftly resolve any challenges that arose.
Key findings
The final report revealed several critical insights:
- Current provision: Detailed analysis of existing SEA provisions, highlighting areas of good practice and those needing improvement.
- Future demand: Projections of future demand for SEA, based on demographic trends and housing needs.
- Quality and safety: Assessment of the quality and safety of current SEA provisions, identifying specific hazards and areas for improvement.
- Care and support needs: Evaluation of the care, support, and supervision provided to residents, ensuring compliance with exemption criteria and identifying gaps.
Moving forward
Our journey to improve Supported Exempt Accommodation in Derby has been a collaborative and insightful process. We are excited about the future and committed to ensuring that all residents in SEA receive the highest standard of care and support.
The recommendations from Homeless Link will guide our strategic planning and help us address current gaps and future needs.
We are dedicated to working with all stakeholders, including housing providers, residents, and community organisations, to implement these recommendations and improve the supported housing sector.
