Briefings, Reports and Toolkits

Briefings, Reports and toolkits are listed below. Please click the relevant link to view in adobe acrobat reader. If you do not have adobe acrobat reader you can download it here.

April 2012
Housing and the new agenda for health and wellbeing - presentation template
This presentation provides a template for NHC members to present housing's role in the new agenda for health and wellbeing. 

With the legislative framework now in place Health and Wellbeing Boards around the country have a unique opportunity to rethink and redefine new solutions which improve the health outcomes of the local population whilst effectively balancing needs and resources.  Government guidance to boards is clear that the agenda extends beyond health and social care to include wider partners such as housing whether or not there is representation on the board.  So whilst boards are looking afresh at ways of working with local partners the housing sector has a window of opportunity to highlight common ground and build stronger collaborative relationships with the new leaders of health and wellbeing. 

The NHC presentation is a template which can be tailored to suit different audiences and enhanced with regional or local data sources as well as intelligence from your own organisation such as customer profiles, management data, tenant satisfaction, lifestyle surveys etc.

To access the presentation click here.

For more information about the Northern Housing Consortiums work on the health and wellbeing agenda please contact enquiries@northern-consortium.org.uk

February 2012
Housing, Health and Social Care Steering Group - presentations
Presentations from the last steering group meeting held at the May Logan Centre, Liverpool on 7th February are available via the links below. 

Delivering Health and Wellbeing Outcomes - Donna Kelly, Director, Housing and Support Team, Liverpool Housing Trust
Beautiful North - innovative partnership working - Erika Rushton, Neighbourhoods Director, Plus Dane Group
Estimating the Value of Care and Support - David Ripley, Head of Strategy and Research, Home Group

January 2012
NHC/NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement Webinar
The Northern Housing Consortium and HK Consulting recently invited HPHL fellows to join a practical discussion on the current state of play and emerging good practice, sharing their experiences of the value and challenge of wider partnerships in strategic leadership for health and wellbeing.  The webinar included a presentation on 'A foot in the door' - the NHC's recent toolkit for engaging housing in health and wellbeing boards - a useful framework for any organisation considering their offer and role within the new, local structures of decision making.

To view the presentation click here. 

October 2011
'A foot in the door: a guide to engaging housing and health'
The NHC published a toolkit - co-designed with health, public health, social care and housing colleagues - that will help the housing sector play a stronger and more visible role in tackling health inequalities and improving outcomes.

'A foot in the door: a guide to engaging housing and health' demystifies the organisational structures and assurance processes of health and care and sets out six clear steps for housing organisations to take when putting together their offer and building stronger collaborative relationships with the new leaders of health and wellbeing. The toolkit, which is sponsored by Gentoo Group, has been designed to help the housing sector engage effectively with health and care leaders who are facing large-scale change and huge cuts to budgets, and help them set out their contribution to health improvement.

To view the toolkit click here.

Housing Benefit Reform - Supported Housing
The NHC response to the DWP consultation on Housing Benefit Reform - Supported Housing provides views on all 16 questions, informed by feedback from three consultation discussion groups, attended by Registered Providers, Third Sector Providers, Strategic Housing Leads, Local Commissioners and Housing Benefit Officers. 

The proposals aim to re-design the way in which Housing Benefit helps with the higher rents sometimes faced by those needing support to live independently, such as the elderly or those with disabilities. The proposals are likely to have implications for providers of supported housing such as hostels and sheltered housing as well as housing which has been specially built, acquired or adapted for those with specific housing needs. Whilst the proposals appear to give a degree of protection to Registered Providers, we think it is too early to tell what the implications will be, particularly for those working with managing agents.

To view the following documents please click on the relevant title:
NHC response.
Full DWP consultation document.
A DWP presentation on the reforms.

August 2011
NHS Reform, Health and Wellbeing Boards and the Housing Fit
At the last meeting of the NHC's Housing Health and Social Care Steering Group John Rylance, Principal Consultant from LGG facilitated a roundtable discussion on the latest developments in the NHS reforms and emerging trends in the development of Health and Wellbeing Boards.  Members discussed where housing fits, why it's important for housing to be inside the Health and Wellbeing Boards, issues to consider and reasons to be there.  If you would be interested in joining the steering group please contact Sarah Taylor 0191 5661029. 

View the presentation.

NHC Briefing - Open Public Services White Paper
On Monday July 11th, the Prime Minister launched the Open Public Services White Paper which sets out the Government's principles for public service reform, and how they apply to a range of policies which have already been announced or are being implemented.  This NHC member briefing sets out the key messages from the White Paper and considers what this all means for housing.  For further information please contact Brian Robson or Sarah Taylor 0191 5661000.

View the full briefing here.

July 2011
Funding cuts and personalisation - delivering housing, care and support services for older people in a changing world
In partnership with Peter Fletcher Associates (PFA) the Northern Housing Consortium ran four half day seminars for providers and commissioners.  Two of the seminars focussed on sheltered housing looking at a future with less funding and opportunities to develop new models of service delivery. The second two seminars considered the future for extra care, the impacts of personalisation and future models of care and support.  Whilst the future for older people's housing care and support services may look uncertain both events demonstrated a strong desire on the part of providers and commissioners to meet the needs of older people through new and innovative ways of working. 

June 2011
Public Health Inquiry - NHC submission
The Northern Housing Consortium response to the Health Committee's Inquiry into Public Health (June 2011) welcomed the focus on helping people live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives, and improving the health of the poorest fastest.  This is a key issue for the north where health inequalities persistent. 

View the full NHC submission here.

February 2011
No health without mental health: a cross-government mental health outcomes strategy for people of all ages
The cross-government strategy promotes a preventative approach to mental health - a good start in life, developing well, living well and ageing well - and makes clear the links between mental health, housing, employment, and safe communities. This briefing paper provides a summary of the key messages in the strategy and explores potential areas of interest to members.

Please click here for the full briefing paper .

July 2010
Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS - Implications of NHS White Paper for Members
This briefing paper seeks to guide Northern Housing Consortium (NHC) Members through the recently published NHS White Paper and explores potential impact on the social housing sector in the North. It also serves as a launch point for emerging NHC services around health, social care and housing and provides a timetable for future developments.

Please click here for the full briefing paper.

May 2010
Inclusion Health: Improving the way we meet the primary health care needs of the socially excluded Implications for the housing sector
The Department of Health and the Cabinet Office recently published a joint report "Inclusion Health: Improving the way we meet the primary health care needs of the socially excluded".

The report sets out a vision for delivering health services to all - including those in most need and socially excluded. The health needs of socially excluded groups are often complex and require a sophisticated response. Frequently the efficacy of this response requires on the support and active participation of a wider range of agencies outside of "traditional" primary health care services. The report and positive practice highlighted within it, reference the role of the housing sector in delivering this response.

To view the report paper in full please click here.

March 2010
Marmot Review - the impact on the housing sector
February 2010 saw the publication of the Sir Michael Marmot's Strategic Review of Health Inequalities in England post 2010. It was commissioned in November 2008 by the Secretary of State for Health to propose the most effective evidence based strategies for reducing health inequalities in England from 2010. The review had four key tasks;

• Identify, for the health inequalities challenge facing England, the evidence most relevant to underpinning future policy and action 
• Show how this evidence could be translated into action 
• Advise on possible objectives and measures, building on the experiences of current PSA target on infant mortality and life expectancy 
• Publish a report that will contribute to the development of a post 2010 health inequalities strategy.

The subsequent report provides a wealth of evidence around health inequalities and policy recommendations that will assist in reducing the devastating impact of health inequality. The policy areas addressed span from early years interventions through to employment, healthy standards of living, sustainable and healthy places and communities and strengthening the impact of ill health prevention.

This briefing paper is intended to provide key highlights from the Marmot review that impact on the housing sector.
Please click here to view the briefing paper in full.

January 2010
Age Friendly Communities in the North: Neighbourhood 2020
The Northern Housing Consortium (NHC) has just completed an ambitious project to explore what an age friendly community might look like in the year 2020 and beyond. The final report (sponsored by Keepmoat and Tunstall), "A Guide to Age Friendly Communities in the North: People and Places 2020" was launched at the NHC's Age Friendly Communities event at York Racecourse on Tuesday 26th January.

Charlotte Harrison, NHC's Director of Policy and Strategy commented,
"The aim of the project was to provide support services and practical steps for Members to take in response to this dynamic policy agenda. We selected some key partners to work with, including design champions from local authorities across the three Northern regions; Northern Architecture to assist us with the visioning work, and, of course, our Members. We knew that high quality engagement with communities would be critical to the success of the project, and have consulted with over 400 older people across the North to help them articulate their dreams and aspirations for their local neighbourhood in 2020."

The report features the aspirations and visions of residents around 'what makes a neighbourhood age friendly' and makes recommendations on the long, medium and short term actions that housing organisations could take to make neighbourhoods age friendly.

Age Friendly Communities in the North: Neighbourhood 2020 can be downloaded here.

For further information on the Age Friendly Communities project or the Northern Housing Consortium, please email enquiries@northern-consortium.org.uk or contact us on 0191 566 1000.

September 2009
JSNA and Housing: A Review of Northern Approaches
Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) is essentially about people and the places where they live. It is a process which brings local authorities, PCTs and local partners together to generate a shared view of local needs and service provision across the whole population, to identify where best to spend their resources and jointly design interventions that will lead to better health and well-being with particular attention to the most excluded. JSNA was introduced as a statutory duty in April 2008.

This report provides a summary of the policy context, the relevance of JSNA to the housing sector, and highlights a series of key messages about progress and challenges. The report is of interest to commissioners and providers of housing, health and social care services as well as policy makers within national and regional government offices.

The 'JSNA and Housing: A Review of Northern Approaches' report can be found here.

August 2009
New Horizons Towards a Shared Vision for Mental Health
The New Horizons consultation document provides an overview of the Department of Health consultation document 'New Horizons: towards a shared vision for mental health'. The document outlines the Government's vision for 2010 and beyond and is based around the principle that good whole-population mental health and wellbeing is fundamental to the well-being and prosperity of our nation.

Mental health is not the sole responsibility of the Department of Health or mental health services, it is a cross sector issue involving wider stakeholders including housing, education, criminal justice agencies, local authorities and employers to play their part in achieving New Horizons' aims.

Click here to read the NHC briefing on New Horizons Towards a Shared Vision for Mental Health.

July 2009
Social Care Green Paper briefing
This latest in a series of briefings from the Integrated Living Network gives an overview of the Social Care Green Paper - 'Shaping the Future of Care Together' published on 13 July 2009 - which sets out the potential future shape of adult social care and support in England, and a vision for a new National Care Service.

May 2009
Enabling Environments - feedback on the draft standards
The Northern Housing Consortium welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the Royal College of Psychiatrists Enabling Environment Standards by providing feedback based on consultation with a number of our Members.
These standards are applicable across a broad range of contexts, including health, social care, education and the workplace. Therefore the language in which they are framed is as inclusive as possible.

The 'Enabling Environments - feedback on the draft standards' report can be found here .

April 2009
Joining up strategic needs assessments across housing, health and social care - NHC/ILN Review
The Northern Housing Consortium is beginning a review of the links being made between strategic housing assessments and Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) across the three northern regions.

JSNA, introduced in April 2008, is about people and the places where they live. It brings local authorities, PCT's and local partners together to generate a shared view of local needs and service provision across the whole population, and jointly design interventions that will lead to better health and well-being with particular attention to the most excluded.

A NHC briefing paper, published in April 2008, outlining the scope of JSNA and thoughts around the role of the housing sector can be found here.

Hopefully, many of you have been involved in JSNA in your areas, particularly given the inequalities that northern communities face, and the very well-known connections between poor housing and poor health and well-being. National research due to be published this week by the IDeA, will show that the involvement of local partners has been patchy. One year on local authorities and PCT's will be looking at whether they engaged the right mix of partners in the first iteration of the JSNA. This, coupled with the contribution that JSNA will make to area based assessment/funding, provides an opportunity to strengthen partnership working in the year ahead. It is therefore very important for us to understand how JSNA is being used as a tool to involve the housing sector, and the challenges and opportunities across a range of geographies and types of authority.

We will now carry out a series of interviews/discussions with housing/housing support leads, and where possible their health counterparts, alongside a desk top review of a selection of JSNA's throughout May - July with a view to publishing our final report in the autumn. We hope that this review will contribute to a national picture of housing sector engagement with JSNA and will raise the profile of the role of the housing sector as a key partner to the health and social care sector.

For further information, or to take part in the review please contact Sarah Taylor.

February 2009
Living Well with Dementia: A national dementia strategy - Considerations for Housing Providers
Following the NHC's early involvement in the shaping of a national dementia strategy, this new NHC briefing paper is pleased to outline the Department of Health's February 2009 publication of 'Living well with dementia: A National Dementia Strategy'.

The briefing paper identifying the potential impact of the Strategy on the housing sector and NHC members, considers whether the Strategy has sufficiently acknowledged the role of housing in this agenda, and provides some points for consideration in delivering and developing housing services in light of its objectives.

Click here to read the NHC briefing on Living Well with Dementia: A national dementia strategy - Considerations for Housing Providers.

August 2008
Making your Sheltered Housing stock and service fit for purpose - the challenge for sheltered housing providers
Working in conjunction with Peter Fletcher Associates the Northern Housing Consortium is delighted to launch a package of practical help and support tools specifically designed for sheltered housing providers, with a discount on the published prices for members of the Northern Housing Consortium.

The aspirations of older people are changing, and increasingly sheltered housing providers face issues of lettability and stock condition. This has led to many providers identifying the need to appraise their sheltered stock and service to ensure sustainability.

We understand that needs differ greatly from provider to provider, and so we have developed a pick and mix menu of service options to choose from including property surveys, resident surveys, option appraisal and business planning.
To download a brochure detailing the support tools available and the costs please click on the link below:-
Making your Sheltered Housing stock and service fit for purpose

If you wish to discuss these options further and learn how you can obtain the Northern Housing Consortium discount, please contact:
Peter Fletcher Associates info@peterfletcherassociates.co.uk 01434 684944 or Sarah Taylor, Northern Housing Consortium Sarah.taylor@northern-consortium.org.uk 0191 5661000

May 2008
Mental Health & Housing - Initial Findings from the North East
This report summarises the views and experiences of members working in the north east region with vulnerable people and in particular people with mental health problems. The views were collected by the Northern Housing Consortium (NHC) to inform the planning of a regional event - 'Mental Health & Housing: Working Together in the North East' which brought together those working across the housing, health and the care and support sectors to raise debate regionally and jointly identify barriers to partnership working and debate the steps required to overcome them. The event, held May 2008, was sponsored by the Government Office North East, Care Services Improvement Partnership, National Social Inclusion Programme and the North East Regional Assembly.

Click here to read the NHC briefing on Mental Health & Housing - Initial Findings from the North East.

April 2008
Inclusive Design: how a simple potato peeler can help you revolutionise your housing service
The North's housing markets are changing - the population is ageing and we can expect radical changes in lifestyle and expectations in the future. This discussion paper considers the concept of Inclusive Design - a process which ensures that products and services address the needs of the widest possible audience, regardless of age or ability. Familiar and popular items such as the 'good grips' potato peeler and trolley style suitcase have been created using the principles of Inclusive Design, enabling these products to not only meet the needs of older and disabled people but a wide audience of consumers willing to pay for products which are stylish, convenient and easy to use.

Inclusive Design has risen up the policy agenda following the launch of the National Strategy for Housing in an Ageing Society to become the subject of much debate in the housing sector. But how can the principles of Inclusive Design help you to create homes, neighbourhoods and services which not only respond to, but importantly capitalise upon, the north's changing markets? Where can we see Inclusive Design in practice and what are the key questions we need to ask?

This paper is the first of a series of discussion and findings papers to be published as part of the development work for our 'Age Friendly Community' design project. The paper seeks feedback and input from members and the wider housing community into the project and ensures that the full breadth of issues you are facing will be tackled through the project. For more information contact Sarah Taylor, Policy and Practice Development Manager.

March 2008
Joint Strategic Needs Assessment - briefing paper
The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill received royal assent in October 2007 bringing a duty for local authorities and PCT's to jointly produce a joint strategic needs assessment (JSNA) from April 2008. The JSNA is defined as "joint analysis of predicted health and well-being outcomes, what the community wants and a view of future needs". Taking a whole population focus, the JSNA will provide the evidence base to inform the commissioning and delivery of appropriate services and will support the personalisation agenda. This NHC briefing outlines the role of JSNA and some of the early implications for NHC members including the need to engage with the JSNA process, the use of the findings to plan their own interventions and targeting of resources, and the implications for market development.

February 2008
Disabled Facilities Grant - Briefing Paper
The Government released its plans to update and improve the delivery of the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) programme on the 25th February 2008. The proposed changes include: tackling the complexity of the system and the bureaucratic nature of the process, speeding up the delivery of a DFG and tailoring the service to individual needs. These plans can be downloaded from the CLG website.

The NHC's briefing paper summarises the Government's key measures for change to improve the delivery of the DFG programme. These measures will be explored further at the NHC's annual Housing Adaptations conference on 1st May 2008 at York Racecourse.

January 2008
National Dementia Strategy
There are currently 700,000 people with dementia in the UK and this figure is forecast to increase to over 1 million people by 2025 and 1.7 million by 2051. The Government has recognised that dementia is a growing problem and because of this the first ever National Dementia Strategy for England will be published in October this year.

This briefing paper prepared by the Northern Housing Consortium takes a look at the plans for the Strategy and seeks feedback from Consortium members on the role that housing can play in improving provision and services for people living with this condition. We would ask you to take the time to read the briefing paper and respond to the questions in it so that we can take a comprehensive and representative view from the social housing sector to the listening event and ensure that housing's contribution is recognised within the Strategy.

English Indices of Deprivation 2007 - briefing paper
Communities and Local Government (CLG) published the new Indices of Deprivation 2007 (IMD 2007) following an extensive public consultation. Due to data being reported at consistent boundaries after the introduction of Super Output Areas, this is the first time comparisons can be made to the previous indices (produced in 2004). This offers the opportunity to compare how levels of deprivation have changed in the interim period and it is the purpose of this NHC Briefing Paper to show where in the north high and low levels of deprivation exist and where improvements have been made since 2004.

December 2007
Putting People First - Briefing Paper
The Government has announced a radical transformation of adult social care aimed at driving forward the personalisation agenda. This NHC briefing outlines the key themes and provides analysis of the likely implications for commissioners and providers. Putting People First was published on 10th December 2007 by the Department of Health marks the first stage in the transformation of adult social care. This is an important policy announcement for Northern Housing Consortium members as it supports the sector to work across shared agendas with users and carers and will have implications for the commissioning and delivery of support services.

November 2007
Building Strength Through Community Ownership
The NHC's latest publication was launched at the Northern Housing Summit on 20th November. As a route to empowering communities and developing thriving local economies, community ownership of assets, is a policy area which we will be hearing much more of in the future.  "Building Strength Through Community Ownership" highlights the role of the social housing sector in supporting communities to own and manage assets. Community ownership is an important agenda for our members, and the wider social housing sector, to engage with and our experience of partnership working and sustainable communities puts us in a prime position to take this agenda forward. Using a series of case studies including community land trusts, social enterprises and development trusts, the publication seeks to inspire readers to imagine how community ownership can real add value to their communities and their organisations whilst meeting the challenges of a changing policy environment.

August 2007
In Work, Better Off: Next steps to full employment Briefing Paper
The DWP Green Paper: In Work, Better Off: Next Steps to Full Employment, was published on 18 July 2007 setting out the government's vision for achieving 80% employment and represents a step change in approach which will have significant implications for members. The reforms have clear implications from a northern housing perspective in terms of the impact they will have on tenants income levels and the need to develop financial inclusion strategies and appropriate support for tenants. However, there are a number of positives including the clear link with our work on sustainable communities and opportunities for partnership work particularly for Supporting People providers.

This briefing paper is intended to provide analysis and commentary to assist Northern Housing Consortium members to understand, prepare for and respond to the reforms set out in the green paper.

June 2007
Tenant Empowerment Consultation - NHC Summary
Communities and Local Government launched the consultation document, Tenant Empowerment, on 19th June setting out proposals to increase tenant empowerment within social housing. This brief summary of the consultation, prepared by NHC, outlines the key issues proposed in the consultation, including:

• A new draft Statutory Instrument to simplify the Right to Manage regulations for local authority tenants;
• A proposal to promote a voluntary Tenant Management process for all social housing tenants and landlords;
• A proposal to establish a National Tenant Voice; and
• Proposals to increase tenant voice in stock transfers.

May 2007
Commissioning Framework for Health and Wellbeing
This briefing paper outlines the key features of the Commissioning Framework for Health and Wellbeing which was launched on 6th March, by the Secretary of State for Health, Patricia Hewitt MP. This document has been long awaited and has far reaching implications for both Health and Local Government during the next few years. The framework outlines 8 steps to more effective commissioning and demonstrates how local commissioners can improve health and well-being by providing personalised, preventative services, proactively working in partnership and focussing on outcomes for the individual. The framework ultimately aims to give power to individuals and communities but requires a significant cultural shift for successful delivery. The NHC submitted a response to the framework, and we await the final document later this summer.

April 2007
Mental Capacity Act Briefing Paper
This short briefing paper outlines the key features of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and some of the early implications for housing care and support. The Act, which came into force in England in April, introduces a major overhaul of the law relating to individuals who lack capacity in decision making, particularly around changes in accommodation. The Act introduces a legal obligation on health and social care commissioners to jointly commission advocacy services and is expected to have significant implications for the provision of supported housing, care and support services. Further details on the Act can be accessed via http://www.dca.gov.uk/menincap/legis.htm

November 2006
Housing and Healthier Communities: Making a difference to our communities
This document focuses on the 'softer' side of health providing case study examples of how social housing providers in England are playing a part in improving the health of their tenants and the general community through healthy eating, sport and exercise initiatives. This publication is intended to provide social housing providers with ideas and inspiration for what they can do to better the health of their residents and the community at large. To request a hard copy of this publication please email enquiries@northern-consortium.org.uk