A fresh approach

This focus appears to assume that local authorities will simply decommission or dramatically reduce the capacity of existing services to the detriment of service users. This is not necessarily the case.

Eight years into SP, providers continue to operate within highly competitive contract-driven cultures, while now also facing the challenge of delivering truly personalised services.

Commissioners are aware that when services are ‘market tested’ on cost, there is usually no shortage of bidders submitting high quality, innovative tenders at significantly reduced prices. This has enabled some commissioners to achieve required budget savings while maintaining service capacity and quality. This could help more commissioners to avoid tough decommissioning decisions and even allow them re-invest any savings in funding new services or plugging gaps in existing provision.

Personalisation is also now having a major impact on the supported housing environment and this, combined with funding cuts, means the sector will continue to experience significant upheaval over the coming months and years. Some providers will win contracts, others will lose. We are likely to see some new players in the market while others exit.

The organisations that will prove most successful both now and in the future, will be those that seize the opportunities presented by this changing climate. They will use them as a catalyst to ensure that the services they are providing really are choice, control and value for money for the very people they are designed for.

Chris Hampson is executive director operations of Look Ahead Housing and Care