Manchester Supporting People is a three star service!

Manchester’s Supporting People programme has been awarded three stars with excellent prospects for improvement following an independent Audit Commission inspection.  The inspection team gave us top marks for how good our service is and for what our prospects for improvement are.

We were one of 19 Supporting People authorities perceived to be high cost by the government. Because of this, the inspection was looking at whether support services in Manchester give value for money. The Audit Commission found that: “most services currently provide value for money in that their costs are competitive, and there is evidence of high quality support services and positive outcomes being delivered”

Inspectors found that vulnerable people receiving support and their providers play a key leadership role alongside statutory organisations in the development of services, and that the programme is being administered effectively and is “value for money”.

Manchester City Council was acknowledged for its policies on diversity. The Audit Commission said: “The council values the diversity of its local population and has ensured systems are in place to promote equal opportunities and fair access to services.”

Praise also came from service providers and vulnerable people themselves for the city council's professionalism, and its commitment to tailoring services to those most in need.

One young person supported by the service said:  "We know that at the end of the day we will be able to do things on our own - that's the best thing."

Steve Rumbelow, Manchester’s Director of Housing, commented: “This result demonstrates the value of listening to service users and involving them in the programme from the very beginning, thus helping to direct the priorities for the fund.”

He went on to say:  “We are all very proud that Manchester is the first Supporting People authority in the country to achieve these top-level scores.

“Supporting People has brought its challenges to the authority and providers alike - insecure future grant funding and insufficient administration grant to name but two. But we recognise the major contribution of these services in making communities sustainable as well as supporting vulnerable people. We are in dialogue with the government to ensure we have the continued resources to meet those challenges.”

Manchester Supporting People funds more than 100 support providers, delivering more than 360 support services to more than 14,000 vulnerable people.

The three star rating has been made possible by the commitment of all partners to delivering best possible quality of life for local people through close and supportive working. Manchester was also praised by service providers and by vulnerable people themselves for the city council’s professionalism, and its commitment to tailoring services to those most in need.  We would like to thank everyone who contributed in any way to this inspection result.

Get a copy of the full or summary report

The report is available on the Audit Commission website:
www.audit-commission.gov.uk/reports/index.asp
On the Audit Commission reports website enter Manchester Supporting People in the site search to find the link to Manchester's inspection report.

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