support with mental health, drug and alcohol and substance misuse and specialist healthcare services. For these services, people are referred in lots of different ways. People can refer themselves to some of these services. Others are referred by health services like GPs or hospitals, by housing services, by other public sector services like police and probation or by other providers. Between 1 April and 30 June 2016 these services supported 3031 people. We currently commission eight organisations to provide these services. Homeless services We currently £2.6m a year on these services. They provide accommodation and support for adults who are homeless. These services currently include three direct access hostels to support people who might otherwise be homeless. People can access these services themselves or be referred by other services. We also fund hostels that can offer people accommodation and support for up to two years. District councils and other agencies refer people to these services and they are also used for people moving on from direct access hostels.
being here have got a chance to look forward to getting my own place and being independent.” “I came to sheltered property knowing I would have frequent contact with a person who knows my needs and helps me.” There were 28 comments from people in sheltered housing about the need for a warden. The main reasons for disagreeing are that the Supporting People service is a key service and to cut services have a detrimental effect on people’s wellbeing. 261 people disagreed on the grounds that the Supporting People service is a key service, describing it as ‘vital’, ‘important’ and relied upon: “I can't believe that these services are not seen as absolutely essential for the people of Norfolk.” / “The service as it stands is vital.” / “These are crucial services for people who use them and should be prioritised.” / “Because these services are vital to vulnerable low income people with health issues.” / “This is a very important service to the customers. This proposal would have a negative effect on the people who provide the service and the people who are supported by the service.” / “All people and older people need it more than ever.” 224 people disagreed because they felt that individuals’ wellbeing be affected by the proposed cut. Respondents referred to reduced “quality of life”, and also cited more positive personal examples, “I feel relaxed with my key worker and can be honest with the barriers I face. With his help I think most things are possible.” Some noted that increased confidence which accompanied a sense of wellbeing provides incentive and impetus to achieve more: “it's given me stability to move on to better things… ” (and, by implication, to require fewer services) – “The hostel
impact on protected groups and those living in rural areas good for me or the baby and could make us both unwell. I would have no support when I needed it.” Mental health (and differentiation of the needs of service users) – “People with significant mental health problems do not all meet the FACS criteria which is set at a high threshold. People are being maintained independently using SP Funding. This keeps them from relapsing and requiring even more expensive services. This funding stream was originally established for this purpose and the evidence suggests it has been most effective used for those who have experienced mental illness.” Age – “This is punishing already vulnerable and old people.” / Being elderly I feel as if you are all taking away everything I value in life. If this isn't discrimination, I don't know what is. Please don't do this to us.” / “Young people have been hit hard by all of the cuts in the last 5 years. As a professional I have seen the negative effect this has had.” / Disability - “Young people who need help to set up for themselves or people who are already at a disadvantage due to disability need as much help as we can give them.” / “How will people who are dyslexic and have special needs get support to even get started with a house. Where will people get help?” / “It seems very wrong to make cutbacks on the elderly and disabled as we are the people who really need supporting people services.” Low income – “It seems the lower paid and over sixties get the same problem every time a cut back on most things.” General - “People that are in the situation requires these services did not willingly put themselves in it. Taking this service away would discriminate anyone that is not healthy or happy at home and stop them being able to live as normally as possible. They are not being given the same chance at life as everyone else.”