The QAF Refresh pilots have now started and will run until 25th October. Please click here for Draft QAF and here Using the QAF.

These documents are for information only. This is not a formal consultation exercise. Feedback will be obtained via the pilots and the Reading Group, membership of which is now closed. The final documents will be launched after the pilots, some time in late Autumn 2008.

Personalisation will it work for the housing care and support? Personalisation is arguably the biggest current trend in social policy and forms the cornerstone of Government’s current push for a radical transformation of Social Care. This conference will look at personalisation in all its guises – and in particular at how it affects housing, care and support.

Click here to download conference programme

Click here to download booking form

Sitra, HouseMark and the National Housing Federation have been running the only national benchmarking service for Supporting People providers since 2005. Due to the continuing demand from providers and positive feedback about its success, we are offering this service for a fourth year in 2008.

click here for more details…

2 October 2008

Wellcome Collection Conference Centre, London

Don’t miss this brand new event from the Federation, which looks at how housing associations, local authorities, community organisations, education and social care colleagues can work together to deliver effective and sustainable responses to homelessness.

Key speakers:

Terrie Alafat, Director, Housing Strategy and Support Directorate, Communities and Local Government

Jane Slowey, Chief Executive, The Foyer Federation

Jean Templeton, Chief Executive, St Basils Housing Association.

For further information, call 020 7067 1066 or email events@housing.org.uk

A Sitra publication designed to ease the process of procuring services for those working within the housing care and support sector was launched by Baroness Andrew at the NHF Housing Care and Support conference. The guide funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government offers readers a step-by-step analysis of the procurement process and offers helpful suggestions, insights and case histories from organisations who have tendered for services.


Click here to download

Welcome to the first Sitra
Services Guide

This guide is unique in bringing together for the first time the full range of services offered by Sitra. The housing with care and support sector is undergoing a period of change, and Sitra recognises that there are distinct policy streams impacting on members of the sector. In order to provide an alternate pathway to accessing Sitra services we have broken down our services into relevant policy directions. The five key areas we have looked at are:

- Localisation and Regionalisation – Supporting People in the Local Community
- Personalisation – Increasing service user choice
- Commissioning, Procurement and Partnership
- Laws and Regulations
- Managing and Delivering Quality Services

Click here to download our Services Guide

Sitra Tenure Briefing June 2008

The introduction of the Supporting People programme in 2003 brought about many changes to the landscape of supported housing. Support now can be provided for service users in a variety of accommodation settings including owner occupation, private rented as well as social housing. Click here to read more…

Taskforce launched for third sector welfare reforms

Stronger third sector involvement in delivering the Government's radical welfare to work reforms is called for as a new 'third sector' taskforce is announced by James Purnell, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Stephen Bubb Chief Executive of the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations today. Click here to read more…

Car User Allowances 2008/09

NJC Car Allowances effective from 1 April 2008 can be downloaded by clicking here.

Sitra Respond to the discussion paper: Rough Sleeping 10 years on: from the streets to independent living and opportunity

Click here to download read this response

Freedom to Live

Livability have launched a campaign to improve disabled young peoples opportunities and choices as they move from childhood to adulthood.  The campaign follows their report Freedom to Live which identified that 40% of disabled young people aged 16 – 24 live in accommodation that does not meet their needs.

The vast majority of disabled young people have little or no choice over where they live, who they live with and how they spend their time. They are denied the freedom to live their life.

Report and campaign available from www.livability.org.uk

NJC salary negotiations 2008 - 09

The unions have submitted a claim for 6% or 50 pence per hour, whichever is the greater. A response from the employers is expected in the coming weeks. Please check back for updates.

"Supported Housing and the Law" Author: Sue Baxter and Helen Carr Supported Housing and the Law is the first book designed to equip the providers of supported housing, their advisers, and service users with an accessible and user-friendly introduction to the complex legal and regulatory framework which governs supported housing. Complex issues are helpfully illustrated with case studies, frequently asked questions and summaries of key points. Click here to read the first chapter. To order copies please click to be redirected to the LAG website. OR Receive a FREE copy when you attend the ‘Introduction to Law in Supported Housing’ training course. Click here for more details.