Housing for Varying Needs Review - Aberdeen City Council

NeedsHousing for Varying Needs Review10.5 This new team’s remit will be to assess applicants for medical priority,care and/or support needs, engaging with other professionals such asoccupational therapists, GPs and care managers who can providerelevant information as required.10.6 This approach will provide a clear picture of an applicants needs that willenable us to allocate the right type of accommodation to suit their needs.10.7 A team of Housing Needs Assessors will be established to assessapplication where the applicant has indicated they have a housing andsupport need. The development of an in-house assessment team usinga Single Shared Assessment model will:• Provide a “Holistic” approach to medical assessment and will provide aconsistent approach in prioritising housing need.• Make best use of diminishing housing resource.• Ensure the right person gets the right house.• Assist the Shifting the Balance of Care agenda.• May produce revenue savings in terms of Social Work care packages.• Provide a more accurate picture of assessed demand for Housing withCare which will assist in planning future provision.• Improve customer service.• May assist people to remain in their own homes for longer.• Improved advice and options to service users.• Provide an opportunity for early identification of cases who may benefitfrom the use of adaptations or Telecare.11 Telecare11.1 Telecare is the remote monitoring of a persons health and wellbeing withthe use of information and communication technology, within their ownhome, using a variety of unobtrusive sensors and detectors.11.2 Telecare is a service that enables people, especially older andvulnerable people, to continue to live independently in their own homes.11.3 It can be used by all age groups, however, is predominately used toassist older people and vulnerable groups to remain within their ownhomes for as long as possible.11.4 It has been found to be particularly useful for:• people who are becoming increasingly frail and are at risk of falling.• people who have little support and may need the reassurances theservice provides; are struggling to cope at home, and may be regularlyadmitted to hospital.23