Supported and Sheltered housing
What is Sheltered Housing?
Sheltered housing enables older people to remain independent in specially adapted community settings. Typically sheltered schemes consist of a group of self contained flats or bungalows for rent, and in many schemes, communal areas and facilities.
There are 1547 rented sheltered housing flats in the London Borough of Barnet of which nearly 500 are owned by the council and managed by Barnet Homes. Around 1000 are owned and managed by housing associations, charities or trusts.
Many tenants living in sheltered housing accommodation receive some support from resident staff or non-resident staff making regular scheduled visits.
Changes to Sheltered Housiing
As agreed by the council’s Cabinet meeting in February 2011, the Council has withdrawn funding for warden services from all sheltered schemes in the borough as from 30 September 2011. Funding for the emergency alarms will remain. This information explains what this will mean to sheltered housing residents and what other types of services are available.
1. Most sheltered schemes will still have an on-site staff member (a Scheme Manager) but their duties will be different.
Scheme Managers’ role will vary from scheme to scheme but they will generally continue to:
- look after the building
- monitor the cleaning and gardening services
- ensure the security of the scheme
- carry out health and safety checks
- arrange tenants’ meetings and any other activities relating to Housing Management in the scheme
- contact residents to see if you have any repairs and any other health and safety issues
- help with any rent, service charge or housing benefits enquires, including explaining what letters mean on these subjects
What will happen when the Scheme Manager is not there?
This will be the same as before when the warden was away during weekends or holidays. Tenants can pull their emergency cord if they have a problem and the alarm will go through to a Central Control.
Will it mean I will have to pay more for these changed services?
The Scheme Manager will be funded through increased service charges and if someone is entitled to Housing Benefits, these charges will be paid for them. Tenants will no longer have to pay the support charge for wardens.
What does this mean to someone who pays their own rent and service charges?
Tenants may have to pay a higher service charge but will no longer have to pay the support charge, apart from the emergency alarm system.
2. A range of support options for older people
To work alongside the new arrangements for Scheme Managers in Sheltered Housing schemes, the Council has drawn up a range of support options for older people 
(PDF: 721KB). These are services that people can choose from, to suit their individual needs and budget. Charges for these services will vary, and you should ask for more information about any charges when you contact the service provider.
3.Sheltered Plus Housing
The council has set up two Sheltered Plus Housing schemes. These schemes are designed to support people who may need more support than offered at Sheltered Housing schemes, or are unable to live independently.
Sheltered Plus housing
The council has set up two Sheltered Plus Housing sites at:
1. Deborah Lodge, Edgware.
2. Gadsbury Close, West Hendon.
Who would qualify for Sheltered Plus?
Sheltered Plus is for people who are assessed by the council’s social services as:
- having a substantial or critical need for social care and support and
- who are in need of night-time support
People who currently live at these Sheltered Plus sites who do not qualify for the services offered in Sheltered Plus do not need to move out but if they wish to do so, will be helped to apply for alternative accommodation.
What services would be offered at a Sheltered Plus site?
Following a Community Care Assessment by the council’s Adult Social Care and Health service, Sheltered Plus would offer:
- Accommodation with an alarm and other equipment and sensors to help tenants maintain their independence
- An on-site Scheme Manager during working hours (similar to sheltered schemes)
- A nightly emergency intervention service for those who need it, such as:
- assistance to transfer to the toilet if called on as an emergency
- assistance to wash / bathe if client has soiled themselves during the night
- emergency administration of medication
- assisting in the preparation of food for someone for example with diabetes
- assisting someone to eat or drink, where for example there is a risk of dehydration
- checking equipment that fails to trigger an alarm
In the future, the Council plans to have a small team of staff based at the Sheltered Plus sites that can deliver care and support to tenants there as well as those that qualify outside of the scheme.
Would I have to pay for a Sheltered Plus service?
Following a Community Care Assessment to see if someone is eligible for the Sheltered Plus service, people would have a separate financial assessment to work out how much they could afford to contribute towards the cost of their care and support, under the Adult Social Care and Health Fairer Contributions Policy (PDF: 102KB).
For more information about Sheltered Plus Housing, contact Mithu Ghosh, Project Manager:
- Tel: 020 8359 4784
- Email: adults.commissioning@barnet.gov.uk
Extra Care Housing
Extra Care is a type of housing which has been developed for older people who have higher support needs but still want and are able to live in a self-contained flat. Facilities include walk-in showers, a laundry for residents, lounges and hobby rooms. Support and care is usually available 24 hours a day for those who need it.
Almhouses in Barnet
If you are aged over 55, Almhouses in Barnet can offer good quality homes in various parts of the borough.
Email this pageLast modified by: Dawn Rowe on 12/10/2011