Extra Care Housing Allocations Policy Consultation

Extra Care Allocations Policy

A pledge from the Sefton 2030 vision was to work together to ensure Sefton people have housing choice across all types and tenures across the Borough. One housing option that will support this is Extra Care Housing.

Extra care housing is a specialist housing provision that combines accommodation with care and support services designed to offer safe, private, and secure accommodation.

The draft Extra Care Allocations Policy details the eligibility, process, and system for applying for Extra Care Housing in Sefton.

A public consultation process was conducted from Friday 10th February 2023 for a period of two months to Tuesday 11th April 2023.

We Asked: -

The survey consisted of five questions and comment sections for each and a generic comments section (also including twelve optional equality monitoring questions).

The focus of the consultation and engagement was: -

1)           Extra Care Eligibility

a.           Local Connection

b.           Age Threshold

c.           Support needs

2)           Allocations Process

3)           Nominations Process

Responses received included fifty-two from individuals and two stakeholder groups one of which included ten participants at Parkhaven Extra Care Housing Scheme.

• 89% agree with the proposed criteria of local connection.
  • Eighteen comments received in relation to the proposed criteria of local connection.
  • Although 89% agreed comments around allowing applicants with close family and carer connections to the borough was highlighted. Agreed to monitor these applications but no change to policy as this could lead to current residents not being able to access extra care housing. This would also leave us open to challenge and would be difficult to manage and apply.

• 92% agree with the proposed age criteria of 55+.
  • Nine comments received in relation to the proposed age criteria of 55+.
  • Some minor mixed comments re upping and lowering the age limit and ensuring careful consideration is given. Overall positive and no changes to the criteria.
• 87% of response agreed with the proposed criteria to also consider people under the age of 55.
  • Fifteen comments received in relation to the proposed criteria to also consider people under the age of 55.
  • Some positive comments and views.
• 96% agree with the proposed criteria to also consider people with support needs.
  • Eight comments received in relation to the proposed criteria to also consider people with support needs.
  • 96% in agreeance but some comments and amendment to 3.3 and actions around the care and support specification agreed.
• Seventeen additional comments received through the generic question around the policy.
  • Some positive comments and overall, no action required.

Our first Extra Care Allocations Policy has now been produced and approved following this feedback.

Amendments included: -

• Agreed to reviewing the wording of 3.3 of the policy and an action to follow up with Housing Providers re succession rights of tenants.
• Minor amendment to 3.2 and well put comment re siblings and which will amend 3.3 to reflect.
• Amendment to 3.3 and actions around the care and support specification agreed.

The policy was shared with cabinet members and was sent to cabinet for approval on the 1^{st of} February 2024.

The policy was also be published on the “Your Sefton, Your Say” platform.

An implementation plan is now underway to ensure the policy is embedded and does what it has set out to do.