Supported and Sheltered housing
Cabinet decision on 8 June 2009
Update on the legal position on Sheltered Housing
Sheltered Plus, Extra Care Housing and Alarm Services
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 currently receive support from resident staff or non-resident staff making regular scheduled visits.
Cabinet report decision of 8 June 2009
Following consultation, Cabinet, at its meeting on 8 June 2009, agreed a more targeted visiting service to those residents in sheltered housing who need it and also widen this service to older people not living in sheltered accommodation. However, this decision has since been challenged in the High Court.
Update on the legal position on Sheltered Housing
This explains the recent judgement by the High Court in the Judicial Review of Barnet Council’s decision to withdraw funding for warden services.
The outcome of the Judicial Review is that Cabinet’s decision of 8 June 2009 to withdraw funding is quashed and for the matter to be reconsidered. This means that the council will not proceed with changes to warden services for the time being.
The reasons given by the court were:
- that although the Council’s consultation was “robust and substantial”, the Council did not have ‘due regard’ to its duties under the terms of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 when it made its decision to withdraw wardens
- that when carrying out an impact assessment on how the decision would affect disabled persons, the conclusion reached was not in the circumstances, reasonable
Other legal objections to the council’s plans were either dropped during the Judicial Review or were not accepted by the Court.
Impact of the judgement
The Court’s decision means that:
- Cabinet will have to reconsider its decision. This will happen in early 2010.
- should Cabinet decide to withdraw or alter contracts for the warden services, the changes would not take place before Summer 2010.
We will write to update all Residents about progress with these arrangements.
Sheltered Plus, Extra Care Housing and Alarm Services
The Judicial Review does not affect the council’s plans to continue with other work to improve services for older people, such as the development of Sheltered Plus and Extra Care Housing Schemes for people who need more support than is available in ordinary sheltered housing. The council may also review how alarm services could be provided in future years, although the council will continue funding for all alarm services as now for 2010/11.
Service Users’ Advisory Group
The Service Users’ Advisory Group, made up of sheltered and non-sheltered residents has agreed that it would like to continue to meet to discuss continued improvements in housing and support services for older people.
If you have any questions about this group, or about the situation regarding Sheltered Housing in Barnet, please contact Mithu Ghosh, Project Manager for the Sheltered Housing Review:
- Tel: 020 8359 4784
- Email: Mithu.Ghosh@barnet.gov.uk
Extra care housing
‘Extra care’ is a new 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.
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 27/01/2010