£150m to help vulnerable people

MORE than £150 million is to be spent over the next 4 years helping support vulnerable people in Liverpool.  It follows a huge engagement exercise by health and social care bosses in the city involving more than 2,000 people who receive community services from the city council and the PCT to help them live independently.

The proposed new contracts include community services for people with learning disabilities, physical and sensory impairments, those with mental health needs and vulnerable older people - including those with dementia.  Through a series of workshops, questionnaires and focus groups over the last year, they and their carers and representatives were asked what they thought about current services, and what they would like to see improved.

The proposed new contracts aim to reflect the needs and wishes of people who use the services, who have indicated they want more choice and flexibility such as weekend and evening access, as well as increased opportunities for independent and inclusive living.  There could also be more opportunities to get involved in the community and more assistance in getting qualifications and employment.

7 current providers did not submit an expression of interest but 108 organisations that did were evaluated against quality and financial criteria.  Of these, 82 organisations have been successful and will now be invited to submit a tender.  They include 20 new local providers, several of which could fill gaps in current services, particularly for people from black and ethnic minority communities.

Councillor Ron Gould, executive member for health, care and safeguarding, said:- “Liverpool PCT and the city council are both committed to ensuring that people are being provided with the most appropriate, accessible and highest quality of community services possible.  To ensure this happens, we need to review and evaluate the services that they can meet the current and future needs of the local community.  Anybody that currently receives a service will continue to do so based on their assessed needs.  This is all about trying to improve services and make sure the people who receive them have a real choice in what they are offered.”

The type of services involved include those that provide support for people to live independently, take part in social, leisure and learning opportunities and access employment.  Services will also be available to provide additional support for families and carers in times of emergency and crisis.

Gideon Ben-Tovim, Chair of Liverpool Primary Care Trust, added:- “We are absolutely determined to put the people who receive community services in the driving seat, and that is why their views have formed the basis for this recommissioning exercise.  We’re also looking at how we can involve those who receive community services in the decision making process so that they get a service as close to what they need as possible.  One of the key messages that has come back through the consultation is that more could be done to help people into training and employment and we will be doing our very best to address that.  Naturally, some of the organisations providing community services will change, but we will work with people to manage the transition carefully and sensitively so that it is as seamless as possible.”

The proposed new contracts will take effect from July 2009.

EUROPEAN FUNDING BOOST FOR LIFELONG LEARNING...

WORKERS in the North West are among those set to benefit from a £1.18 million European Social Fund (ESF) cash injection for unionlearn’s Learning and Skills for All Fund.  Unionlearn helps unions spread the lifelong learning message to their members, and its work means that thousands of people across the region can learn new skills to develop their careers.

The Learning and Skills for All Fund (LSFAF) will help unions to work with companies and promote and develop learning opportunities for their employees.

Unionlearn staff support unions and employers to work together and will provide project support to those successful in obtaining support from the LSFAF.

LSFAF will also foster new partnerships between unions, employers and training providers.  This will offer employees access to a wide range of learning activity and qualifications; from skills for life accreditation to degree level courses, giving employees access to greater employability and progression opportunities.

The ESF exists to improve employment opportunities and help raise standards of living.  It aims to help people fulfil their potential by giving them better skills and better job prospects. 

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) operates as a co-financing organisation for the ESF; responsible for allocating funding to learning and skills projects and providers.

Dave Eva, Regional Manager at unionlearn said:- “The funding we have received from the ESF will benefit many unionised organisations and their workforce.  It will enable us to kick start learning in the workplace, increase workers life chances and strengthen their voice within the workplace.  The Fund enables unions to develop projects that meets the needs of their members and opens up learning opportunities for thousands more adults across the region.”

John Korzeniewski, Regional Director of the North West LSC said:- “ESF funding makes a real difference to the lives of thousands of people across the North West, and nionlearn’s Learning and Skills for All Fund is a great example of this.  Learning new skills and acquiring qualifications can make a big difference to an individual’s career and life, and it is encouraging that the region’s unions and employers recognise the opportunities that learning can bring."

From January 2009 unionlearn will be establishing and developing new projects in the North West that meet key objectives of the ‘Learning and Skills for All Fund’.  These will give thousands more North West workers the opportunity to gain further qualifications.  For further information regarding Learning and Skills for All Fund and next year’s new projects please visit:- unionlearn.org.uk.

Email us your views on this report.  What do you, our readers think about ‘Learning and Skills for All Fund’.  Email us to news24@southportreporter.com.