2.  Minutes from the meeting held on 12 March 2008

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed as an accurate record of the meeting.

3.  Update from Supporting People

Sally Hobbs introduced Marie Earle to everyone.  Marie is the new Lead Officer for Supporting People and Sally is now the Accountable Officer.  Marie will be attending the PIF meetings in the future.

Results of Election for Chair and Deputy Chair and Attendees to Core Strategy Group Meetings

Marie provided the results of the elections of Chair and Deputy Chair of the PIF.  One nomination had been received for Chair and two nominations had been received for Deputy Chair.  Eva Holt from Adactus HA is elected as Chair.  Following discussion about the Deputy Chair position, it has been decided to have 2 Deputy Chairs for this year (one for short term services and one for long term services).  Therefore, Alex Sporidou from the Young Person's Support Foundation is elected as the Deputy Chair for short term services and Nick Jones from Johnnie Johnson HA is elected the Deputy Chair for long-term services.  Marie, also informed the meeting about the 4 PIF representatives to attend the Core Strategy Group.  The Manchester Housing Services rep is Gareth Clarke, the Adult Social Care rep is Elizabeth Donovan.  The external landlords/support providers (RSL) rep is Nick Jones.  The rep for external support providers covering non-profit, community and charity organisations is Alex Sporidou.

Provider Consultative Forum Planning

Two project meetings (with the SP Team and PIF representatives) have taken place recently.  We are hoping to hold the Forum in the summer.  Lesley Lancelott informed the meeting about the purpose of the event which, essentially, is to consult with providers on making the SP Programme fit for purpose as we move towards the Local Area Agreement (LAA) and delivery through the area based grant.  The Forum will also be an opportunity for providers to influence the review of the SP Strategy.  There will be a number of keynote speakers including the Lead Officer.  The speakers will cover a number of themes including the LAA, the Community Strategy and possibly Regeneration.  It is envisaged that the Executive Member will be present and that he will present certificates to those providers who have reached Level A in one or more of the Quality Assessment Framework (QAF) core objectives.  The morning workshops will be information giving workshops.  After lunch, there will be a quiz (based on 'Play Your Cards Right').  The afternoon workshops will be about contributing to the SP Strategy review.  Mike Delaney said that service users hadn't been mentioned and that service user would want to be involved.  Marie Earle confirmed that service users would be involved.  Eva Holt said that volunteers are needed to facilitate workshops and asked those who are interested to contact Lesley directly.

Feedback from Commissioning Group and Core Strategy Group

Marie provided feedback from the Commissioning Group (CG) and Core Strategy Group (CSG).  The last CG took place on 7 May and it was 'vision event' where SP gave a presentation on the strategic direction (2009-2011) and commissioners gave brief presentation on the key priorities for their areas.  The Core Strategy Group was held at the end of April and the format of the meeting was similar to the CG.

Marie will circulate the SP briefing on the strategic direction (2009-2011) to PIF members.  The briefing refers to the priorities  of SP over the next 3 years.  There include a sustained emphasis on: continuous improvement of service delivery within the QAF, more accurate completion of outcomes, performance indicator and client record data, addressing issues such as the quality of life for older people and achieving outcomes for service users.  The new strategic direction will focus on: addressing 'worklessness', tenancy training and life skills training, support service users to fulfil their aspirations, providing enhanced housing options and enabling residents in supported housing to achieve owner occupier status such as shared ownership.

The commissioners at both CG and CSG referred to the key priorities for their areas.  Marie provided a summary:

• Homelessness.  Priorities include: preventing homelessness, the hostel replacement programme, MOPP, supporting families with challenging behaviour.
• Learning Disabilities.  There is an increase in the number of children coming through transition to adult services.  A minimum of 10 looked after children (LAC) needing 24 hours support each year over the next 5 years.  An increase in the proportion of people requiring ground floor/adapted accommodation.
• Offenders.  Reducing Re-Offending Strategy 2008-2011.  The document covers reducing re-offending, reducing crime, delivering co-ordinated responses to the resettlement of offenders, contributing to the building of safer communities and the regeneration of the city.  Pathways out of offending - accommodation, education, training and employment, drugs and alcohol, health, finance, children & families, attitudes, thinking & behaviour, victims of crime (ensuring their voices are heard).
• Older People.  Priorities include:  increasing the provision of extra care housing, providing more specialist dementia schemes, individual budgets, increasing the choice of low level and preventative services.  Older people are raising the following issues - affordability, manageability and feeling safe.
• Mental Health.  There is a need to improve the information available about needs (including dual diagnosis) and widen the number of providers.  Looked after children (LAC) having access to appropriate support and accommodation on leaving care is an important priority.  Other key priorities link in with the priorities of other partner commissioners.
• Drugs & Alcohol.  There is a need for better links with accommodation and treatment services, substance misuse training needs to be rolled out to all accommodation providers, policies and protocols need reviewing an specific quality standards need establishing or reviewing.
• Physical Disabilities.  Have started work on their housing strategy.  There is a need to extend quality and choice and work with the new local housing companies on accessibility and the social model.

Service User Consultative Forum Feedback

Lee Morgan provided feedback about the Service User Consultative Forum which was held at the Bridgewater Hall on 6 May 2008.  Lee said that 160 service users attended and 40 support workers.  90% of people were still there by the end of the day.  Lee thanked everyone who attended on the day.

There were town workshops on the day, which slightly overlapped.  There was a video booth and a graffiti wall for service users to provide feedback.  Lee circulated a paper copy of the slides from Marie's presentation (at the end of the day).  The presentation summarised some of the key themes which emerged from the morning's workshops.

Charter for Independent Living (Workshop1) - feedback included:

• when a service user first moves in to a service, other service users would like to show residents around
• changing your key worker should be supported when needed
• letters telling us how our ideas will happen

Unlocking Your Potential (Workshop 2) - feedback included:

• Show us examples of people that have overcome barriers
• being allowed to try new things and it being OK if it doesn't work
• peer monitoring by service users
• long term mentoring
• ask us what we want to do
• affordable choice of housing and a decent home - regardless of who you are
• information, encouragement and enthusiasm!

Graffiti Wall - feedback included:

• will today make a difference?
• some of the issues discussed today were relevant to my developing skills and self esteem.  I enjoyed it and it was worth coming.
• I think it's a good event because it brings together people who have a shared interest in what's going on in Manchester.

Lee said that further updates are to be provided (and that an action plan will be developed).  Steve Leonard said that a Pandora's box has been opened and that service users will want to see results.

QAF Review & Safeguarding Children Feedback

Lesley Lancelott updated the meeting on the QAF Review and Safeguarding Children.  Lesley said that SP are going t raise awareness about safeguarding children and how this affects all providers and client groups.  Lesley is developing a briefing for providers in relation to this.  More information will be provided at the next PIF in July.

Lesley also informed the meeting that a national review of the QAF is taking place.  A pilot will be taking place in the summer.  Manchester could be a pilot area.  Confirmation will be provided at the next PIF in July.

(Marie left the meeting at 3.15 pm)

Lesley also informed the meeting that a number of steady state contracts will be issued to some providers towards the end of July.

4.  Service User Report Back

Steve Leonard said thanks on behalf of all the service users from the day of the Service User Forum.  Steve is standing down from his position of chair of the Core User Group (CUG).  Steve said that he has enjoyed it thoroughly and thanked everyone.  Mike Delaney said that the venue of the Bridgewater Hall was a huge contributing factor to the success of the Service User Forum.  The AGM was also successful.

Adactus Housing Association has contributed to the CUG fund.  A number of other providers have donated resources and staff time.  Steve reported that they had spent approximately £400 on the development plan.  £700 is left.

Eva Holt thanked Steve Leonard on all his hard work for the CUG.  Steve said he will still be connected to the CUG but not in any official capacity.  Mike Delaney reported that he will standing down also because he is going to abroad to do some filming work.  He will attend the CUG where possible but cannot be committed for the next 12 months due to work commitments.

5.  Provider Feedback

Cate Mullen

Cate reported that Newbury House will be closing for refurbishment. Cate will provide further information at the next PIF.

6.  Agenda Items and Venues for Future Meetings

The Good Practice Session will be delivered by Lesley Lancelott on Safeguarding Children.

The venue for the next meeting will be Lorna Lodge, Wythenshawe.

7.   Any Other Business

No other business was discussed.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 9 July 2008 - 1.30pm to 4.00pm (good practice session at 1.30pm with main agenda starting a 2.00pm).

Venue:  Lorna Lodge, Wythenshawe