ChesterCare launches new Choice service
Chester & District Housing Trust (CDHT) has simplified and improved ChesterCare’s community alarm and support service for CDHT tenants and other customers. It is launching ChesterCareChoice with new levels of support services. Previously, grouping people into one of eight categories, the support and associated costs were often based on how long the tenants had been in CDHT properties and the categories were complicated. There are now three, more flexible, easier to understand, new levels of ChesterCareChoice based on needs and where the support can be designed around the individual. These changes will be implemented during June and July.
The three levels are:
Peace of Mind – providing an alarm and 24 hour mobile response for this. Needs are assessed at least annually and the support provided responds to any changes in circumstances. The typical number of personal contacts will be up to 12 times per year, by appointment, as and when needed, but the intention is to provide “peace of mind’ and as much independence for customers as they want. There will be access to separately funded telecare services and the cost to tenants will only be £4.20 a week.
Choice – providing an alarm and 24 hour mobile response, also access to telecare services. There will be regular, low level, personal contact approximately once per week and a flexible, short term increase in support if needed following for example, a stay in hospital. Needs are assessed at least annually and the support provided responds to any changes in circumstances. This level costs tenants £7.00 a week.
ChoiceExtra – providing an alarm and 24 hour mobile response for this with access to separately funded telecare services. There will be a regular, higher, personal contact level of approximately twice or more times per week. Needs are assessed at least annually and the support provided responds to any changes in circumstances. This costs tenants £9.50 a week.
Fran Taberner, ChesterCare Manager with CDHT commented; “ChesterCareChoice is an exciting new delivery method for our housing related support service. It aims to provide a service based on peoples’ needs which is more flexible and independent of where they live. It will help everyone using the new enhanced support remain as independent as they can, be knowing the right level of support is available when needed from one of the best organisations in the country.”
Terry Peach, Supporting People Coordinator at CDHT added; “After a period of speaking with everyone who would like reassurance on their individual needs we expect to have the new enhanced service levels in place by the Summer. Anyone who is worried about their own circumstances or who wants more details can speak to us by phone on 01244 390749 or by pulling their cord alarm. We have already sent everyone a pamphlet explaining the changes in more detail.”
Graham Christopher, Cheshire County Council’s Senior Manager for Supporting People, endorsed the moves to simplify the current system adding: “ChesterCareChoice helps people feel safe and remain in their own homes. A group of users and carers were asked for their views on what they wanted from the system in a recent survey. Top came peace of mind because it made them, their relatives and friends feel more safe and secure. Remaining longer in their own home also came a close second. CDHT’s most recent service review was classed as “excellent’, achieving level A and showing the Trust as a top performing provider in the UK.”
Ends: 573 words
Notes to Editors:
For more information and photos please visit: <a href=”http://www.marketingprojects.co.uk/admin/clients/chester-district-housing-trust/articles ”>http://www.marketingprojects.co.uk/admin/clients/chester-district-housing-trust/articles
ChesterCare is administered by CDHT and funded by Cheshire County Council as part of Supporting People, a Government funded initiative to help people to remain in their own home. Supporting People is not enforced by legislation and covers a variety of people, not just the elderly. These include refugees, homeless, drug and alcohol users, travellers, ex offenders and young people at risk. ChesterCare received a grade A review for its service delivery by Cheshire County Council’s Supporting People Team and also has Telecare Services Association full accreditation.
ChesterCare answered 157,853 calls from April 2006 to March 2007 and made 24,715 visits. The latest client satisfaction survey stated from a 41% response rate, overall good or excellent satisfaction with 100% of appointments, 98% of support officers visits and 99% of call logging. It has recently upgraded the facilities in use at the control desk.
ChesterCareChoice is used by approximately 1,650 tenants, other association tenants and private customers, approximately two thirds receive Housing Benefits which will pay ChesterCareChoice direct. ChesterCareChoice has been designed by CDHT following the recommendations and guidelines assistance from ERoSH, the National Consortium for Sheltered and retirement Housing in the United Kingdom. The service levels are designed to be higher than those recommended by ERoSH, consistent with the wider older people’s strategy and to be one of the top strategies in the UK. Following a successful pilot scheme, the Peace of Mind Community Alarm Service (POMCAS) ChesterCareChoice is planned for expansion out of the traditional sheltered environment to include private and general housing.
Chester & District Housing Trust (CDHT) was created in November 2000 to acquire the housing stock of Chester District Council and now owns and manages over 6,200 properties in and around Chester, employing 275 staff. The Trust’s homes fall in to six neighbourhoods – Blacon North; Blacon South; Chester City Area; The Rurals; Lache and Handbridge; Upton, Hoole, Newton and Plas Newton.
CDHT provides a range of services to tenants and residents in Chester and surrounding areas. These include ChesterCare, a telecare alarm service for CDHT tenants, other association tenants and private customers and the management of the specially designated Community Intervention Budget. This improves facilities and allows changes, which are felt by tenants to be vital to their community. CDHT also manages the housing waiting list and homelessness agency service on behalf of Chester City Council.
Current projects for CDHT include the £12million regeneration of the Treborth Road area of Chester, to include 200 new homes for rent, sale and shared ownership, as well as a village green and wildlife habitats.
For more details please visit www.cdht.net
The survey mentioned by Graham Christopher was carried out of 235 residents, 100 returned and reported on in November 2007.
Press Contacts: Phil Brotherhood E: phil@marketingprojects.co.uk M: 07884 493370 Jane Harrad-Roberts E: jane@marketingprojects.co.uk M: 07785 395705
T: 01244 330000 W: www.marketingprojects.co.uk also http://www.ziggurat.co.uk
Return to Chester & District Housing Trust listings
> Return to Client Press Office
