M25 Strategy Review

Introduction

Following the review of our strategy back in May the Trustees of the Charity have set the broad priorities for the coming year.

The Trustees asked me to thank all the clients and workers who contributed to the day they found your input and suggestions really important in enabling them to develop a clear idea of the direction we should take in the coming year and into the future.

Headlines

  • Service user involvement a top priority and essential for improving our services to clients
  • Concentrate on and prepare for maintaining and developing services in Doncaster
  • Support for M25 'Create'
  • Developing new outreach services for homeless people

If you have ideas about our services please get involved - You can do this in a number of ways – speak to your key-worker and tell them what you think and your ideas - give me a call 01302 361 777 – discuss it at your service user meeting or attend a Board meeting the next one is in late September so if you are interested speak to your key-worker and we will make the arrangements for you to attend the meeting.

Thanks

Matt
Director

Key Objective for 2009/10

  • Ensure Wharf House and Open House Plus are true 'Places of Change', a truly excellent service delivering accommodation (including a direct access element at Wharf House), support to a high standard and education, training and health opportunities for clients. We will work with all partners to deliver this service.
  • Work to continually develop the work we do in relation to service user involvement & influence, ensuring our service users are central to what we do.
  • Build on the award of the SQM and the award of contracts in Doncaster & Barnsley in Housing, Community Care and Welfare Benefits. We will work to deliver quality services maintaining the highest standards and prepare for the 2010 'LSC bid round' as the most effective way of maintaining independent housing advice in Doncaster. Developing partnerships to enable multiple areas of law to be delivered will be key to success in terms of long term funding. DHAC will also deliver on our responsibilities as 'Project Manager' for Doncaster Advice Service Partnership (funded through the Big Lottery Fund Advice Plus).
  • Continue to place an emphasis on developing the meaningful occupations work (Sessional Work) with our service users this is key to effectively engaging and will have a positive impact on people moving forward positively.
  • Continue to provide trainee posts within the organisation as a way of developing good quality support workers in Doncaster.
  • Ensure we continue to meet all requirements in relation to Supporting People including:
    • Accreditation (the assessment of our viability & competence, leading to formal recognition of our ability to provide services).
    • The performance framework (The performance indicators used to assess our performance).
    • That the strategic relevance of our services is clearly identified.
    • The Quality Assessment Framework, we will achieve level B (good practice working towards level A) and progress towards level A in the refreshed QAF.
    • Monitor outcomes participating and building on the work in the National Outcome Monitoring Tool.
  • Ensure we are well prepared for a competitive process for Supporting People Services in Doncaster.
  • Seek to develop and strengthen the organisation through broadening our funding base specifically through:
    • Continue building relationships and reviewing the Supporting People Market outside Doncaster.
    • Reviewing opportunities outside the Supporting People funding regime – in relation to Advice, Housing Management and supported housing.
  • Review the impact of the change of DHAC from a Day Centre to an Advice Centre and the closure of Open House Union Street and the opening of Wharf House in terms of Rough Sleepers access M25's services – examine and develop outreach proposals.
  • Support the development of M25 'Create' – M25's social enterprise delivering work-like experience to our clients.