The Welsh Government’s Supporting People Programme

The Welsh Government’s Supporting People Programme

 

The Auditor General for Wales published a report on The Welsh Government's Supporting People Programme (PDF 1MB) in August 2017.

The Welsh Government invested £124.5 million in its Supporting People Programme (the Programme) in 2016-17, to support vulnerable people in a wide variety of circumstances to live as independently as possible. The Programme provides grant funding to local authorities to deliver directly, or through third-party providers, housing-related support services to a range of people; from those with learning or physical disabilities and development disorders to victims of domestic abuse, people with chronic illnesses, mental health or substance misuse issues, criminal offending histories and people with refugee status.

According to the Auditor General for Wales’ report, despite some improvements, action taken to address longstanding concerns with its design and delivery has not always been effective, progress has been slow in key areas and there are inconsistencies in the Programme’s management at a local and regional level.

However, the report found that current objectives do not recognise explicitly the Programme’s role in preventing homelessness and tackling poverty. The report also reflects concerns about the way the Welsh Government has communicated the implications of changing policy on the Programme, including legislation on social services, future generations and housing, and UK Government policy on welfare reform. The Welsh Government has consulted recently on revised objectives as part of wider changes to Programme guidance, but developing these new arrangements has taken longer than expected due in part to resourcing constraints.

The Public Accounts Committee considered the Report and undertook an inquiry in the autumn 2017 / spring 2018. Following publication of its Report in May 2018, the Committee monitored the implementation of the report recommendations by the Welsh Government.

Evidence Session

Date, Agenda and Minutes

Transcript

Video

1.

Stuart Ropke –Community Housing Cymru

Enid Roberts - Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd

Katie Dalton –Cymorth Cymru

Rhian Stone –POBL Group & Cymorth Cymru Chair

Monday 20 November 2017

Read transcript of Evidence Session 1

Watch Evidence Session 1 on Senedd TV

2.

Naomi Alleyne - Welsh Local Government Association

Elke Winton - Torfaen County Borough Council

Nigel Stannard - Newport City Council

Monday 27 November 2017

Read transcript of Evidence Session 2

Watch Evidence Session 2 on Senedd TV

3.

Sam Lewis –Gwent Regional Collaborative Committee

Angela Lee –Gwent Regional Collaborative Committee Information Network)

Monday 27 November 2017

Read transcript of Evidence Session 3

Watch Evidence Session 3 on Senedd TV

4.

Councillor Mark Child – Western Bay Regional Collaborative Committee

Rachel Evans –City and County of Swansea Co-ordinating Authority

Monday 11 December 2017

Read transcript of Evidence Session 4

Watch Evidence Session 4 on Senedd TV

5.

Welsh Government

Tracey Burke

Jo-Anne Daniels

John Howells

Emma Williams

Monday 22 January 2018

Read transcript of Evidence Session 5

Watch Evidence Session 5 on Senedd TV

6.

Welsh Government

Tracey Burke

Jo-Anne Daniels

John Howells

Monday 3 December

Read transcript of Evidence Session 6

Watch Evidence Session 6 on Senedd TV

 

Business type: Committee Inquiry

Reason considered: Senedd Business;

Status: Complete

First published: 13/09/2017

Documents

Consultations