The Supported Housing Team delivers a 5 A service

The Supporting People inspectors at Gloucestershire County Council has awarded Gloucester City Homes 5 'A' grades, the highest score possible in the delivery of our supported housing service to older and vulnerable people. 

In 2006 Gloucester City Homes were the first in the county to be awarded the gold standard for its service. The inspection criteria have since been reviewed with organisations now being awarded up to a maximum of 5 A grades for the delivery of its services. 

Gloucester City Homes Supported Housing Service has 11 dedicated Community Scheme Managers who provide a service to sheltered scheme residents and vulnerable residents in the community. It also includes the Lifelink Service which provides 24 hour emergency cover, helping people to remain independent in their own homes. The service can also refer people to other agencies for support to help them maintain their tenancies. 

The inspection team visited 8 out of 10 sheltered schemes, assessing against the following framework criteria:

• Assessment and Support Planning
• Security, Health and Safety
• Safeguarding and Protection from Abuse
• Fair Access, Diversity and Inclusion
• Client Involvement and Empowerment

The team also looked at financial security, ie the money we spend on delivering the service, how it is allocated to rent accounts and whether it is value for money. Finally they reviewed the accuracy and timeliness of our returns on key performance indicators. 

The assessment team commented: 

“We visited Gloucester City Homes four years ago and they were good then, but now they are doing a brilliant job. We have never seen so much positive and meaningful involvement with the residents. We can certainly look to Gloucester City Homes as an organisation of excellence in Supported Housing”

GCH Chief Executive Ashley Green added:

 ‘I am really delighted by this phenomenal recognition for our Sheltered Housing Services. It shows the hard work and dedication of the team and what they achieve on a day to day basis with our older residents. The assessment team highlighted the “Telling Tales Book “and “Christmas Extravaganza” as national best practice which is fantastic news. I can only thank our tremendous staff for their excellent work. To get a maximum of five Grade A’s is an amazing achievement.”