Agenda item

WELFARE REFORMS AND HOUSING PLANNING BILL (2015 - 2016): IMPACT ON HEALTH

Minutes:

 

7.1  The Chair introduced Andrew Holmes DWP and Satnam Kaur, TMBC who were invited to present the two main areas of the report’s focus, welfare and work related measures, housing measures and potential impact. The Chair invited Board members to assess any likely responses in relation to the Board’s ability to “control; influence and affect any change”.

 

7.2  Andrew Holmes reflected on the challenges facing DWP and its customers in light of the Government’s Welfare Reforms which requires public bodies like DWP to do more but with fewer resources. DWP was now looking at ways of increasing effectiveness, making better linkages with health and building relationships that might assist the clients/patients who were often accessing both services. Mr Holmes emphasised that DWP was not looking to interfere with the patient-GP relationship or GP decisions. DWP is interested in creating better understanding about other support available to help patients back to work.

 

7.3  Mr Holmes outlined initiatives being trialled in other parts of the County with partners including the CAB; the promotion of better use of the ‘Fit Note’ and other developments including JobcentrePlus participation in GP training programmes which was seeking to enable better outcomes.

 

7.4  Comments and questions in discussion included:

 

·  Format of previous Protected Learning Time Event with Jobcentre Plus had not been successful, different approach to strategic discussions needed

·  Acknowledgement required that there were no ‘simple solutions’; change likely not to happen using ‘traditional’ methods – role for therapy; third sector ‘unofficial’ sector also has an important role to play and sustainable funding principles/arrangements were key

·  When considering the potentially complex circumstances of patients/JobCentrePlus clients opportunities for building confidence, skills in ‘alternative routes’ to work were needed

·  Need to consider external funding resources e.g., ‘Tomorrow’s People’ Project in MBC; Building Better Opportunities Fund to create opportunities for people furthest away from the jobs market that helps with skills development and to bridge the divide between work and ill health in its different forms. 12/05/2016 decision on external funding for Kent districts. (AB)

 

·  WK HWB and local GPs interested in and committed to developing approaches to Social Prescribing as in other areas this was helping individuals and communities establish a sense of belonging and cohesion. Important to recognise strong local interest in this (recent events at which pioneer,  Sir Sam Everington spoke was evidence of this). Recognition this was chance to release resources.

 

7.5  Satnam Kaur, Chief Housing Officer at TMBC presented those sections of the report outlined in pp5 -11, which considered the links between the welfare and housing reform measures and health. Ms Kaur summarised the main issues as follows and emphasised the interconnectedness of the new measures:

 

·  Fundamental shift in the approach to housing need

·  Pledges in relation to Home Ownership

·  New definitions of Affordable Housing

·  Expansion of ‘Starter Homes’

·  Wider housing market conditions were set to have local impact (Rising Property Prices and Rental levels)

·  Changes within the Social Housing sector (end to life-time tenancies; extension of Right To Buy; introduction of Pay To Stay)

·  New Definition of Child Poverty

·  Benefits rate freeze

·  Rent Reductions

·  New eligibility criteria for benefits, including further reductions to benefits cap

·  Young People Housing related benefit restrictions

 

7.6  Ms Kaur reflected on early indication of the effects in West Kent;  drew the attention of Board members to section 5 of the report on ‘cumulative impacts of the reforms on health and wellbeing: implications for West Kent’ and offered examples of some characteristic features emerging from the changes including:

 

·  Rise in number of evictions (private landlords issuing notice to quit)

·  Rise in waiting lists for housing – across West Kent 3500 people on waiting lists and unable to access market products (Challenges exist for Local Authorities with regards to meeting statutory duties)

·  Increase in homelessness

·  Rise in need for temporary housing/longer stay in temporary accommodation

·  Increasing financial hardship (including as a result of rise in private sector rents)

·  Increase in overcrowded households

·  Private sector housing becoming increasingly unaffordable

·  Benefit Cap – likely new impact will affect  2-3 bedroom households

 

7.7  Ms Kaur encouraged the Board to consider areas where they had the potential to intervene to mitigate negative effects of the reforms and shared some examples of good practice across West Kent. Ms Kaur commended the report to Board members and invited careful consideration of the recommendations as set out in section 8 of the report.

 

7.8  Comments and Questions in Discussion:

 

·  Partners poised to support local GPs in serving their patients better,  whilst also respecting the GP role and client confidentiality. Other agencies can offer advice and sign-posting around a broad range of issues such as debt/money management; relationship breakdown and welfare/benefits using volunteer advisers in different settings across West Kent.

·  Recommendation on Making Every Contact Count within all the agencies in West Kent should be given the highest priority by the Board (Need to articulate what it means for Every Contact to Count and ask Commissioners to ensure it happens).

·  Scope for boosting GP knowledge about what other sectors can offer, e.g., housing professionals access people in their own homes and are well-placed to sign post

·  Needs careful thought about the most effective/appropriate models for communities as there is some experience of establishing projects yet, these were not accessed by patients

·  Good evidence base exists which can assist in identifying initiatives that deliver good outcomes e.g., network of advice providers who have agreed a local referral protocol (Currently, 30 providers are offering cross-referrals)

·  Across West Kent, different demography in communities so a number of different approaches needed.

·  Advice services can also offer home visits; focus on needs and tailor services and support where needed (e.g., specific to frail elderly people) 

 

7.9  The Chair thanked Ms Kaur, Mr Holmes for the presentation and other officers for bringing the report to the Board.

 

7.10  RESOLVED:

 

a)  That the Board agree to all the recommendations laid out in the report and as there are a number of existing partnership bodies within the housing arena give further consideration to the most appropriate mechanism for seeking delivery of the recommendations and points highlighted in the accompanying discussion.

 

b)  Ensure clarity about what it means to a service user, if ‘every contact counted’ and ensure services which seek to deliver on that ambition are effectively commissioned. ACTION: Malti Varshney and Hayley Brooks to establish a Task & Finish Group to determine how to assure delivery of the actions agreed.