Suffolk’s Home Shield service, which provides easy access to
many services and organisations for vulnerable people aged 60 and
over, has been officially launched.
Since 17 October 2005, when the pilot scheme started, 1124
referrals have been received and 1756 onward referrals have been
made. This success has led to the scheme being rolled-out across
the whole county.
A DVD, made by New Suffolk College students James Bester and
Greg Zborsek along with Trickster Productions, has been
commissioned to help with the staff training.
The DVD features a scenario of an older person in their home,
with a number of problems. It shows how the Home Shield service can
benefit that person, and explains to staff how they can make the
referrals.
At the launch, people heard about the difference that Home Shield
has made to the work of the pensions service. Lesley-Jayne Clifford
explained that Home Shield has speeded up their work in helping
vulnerable people.
She said: “When we visit customers in their homes, we have to
identify the services they need, which could be provided by many
different organisations.
“Prior to Home Shield, we had to identify the services needed,
then find out who provides that service, and contact them on the
customer’s behalf to ensure that they received the service they
needed. We then had to get the written consent of the customer for
each agency we contacted. Quite often this could take several hours
of valuable time, which could more usefully be used to see other
customers.
“But Home Shield saves us time and is easy to use. Only a few
minutes are needed to complete the tick boxes on the form and get
the customer’s signature. And once we’re back at the office, the
whole process is completed by one fax to the Home Shield
co-ordinator.”
Front line officers who visit people in their homes are asked to
identify potential risks or factors that can affect the person’s
quality of life. The four key areas they look at are:
- Health and well-being – for example enabling people to live
independently in their own homes
- Income and finance – making sure that people are claiming all
the benefits they’re entitled to
- Basic needs – do people have food and heating
- Safe and secure – are there potential fire risks that should be
addressed or issues about home security
Alan Keely, Suffolk County Council’s Community Safety Manager,
and a member of the Home Shield partnership, said: “The college
students did a fantastic job in making the DVD, and it will become
a very useful tool for training. This will enable new staff to feel
that they can provide a full service to help any customer they
visit as part of their job.”
He added: “We are all concerned with the needs of older people,
and Home Shield helps us to improve the quality of life for our
ageing population. I’m sure that many more people will benefit from
the partnership working between all the organisations
involved.”
Partners involved in the Home Shield scheme had displays at the
launch, so that delegates could find out more about their service,
and how they have benefited from Home Shield. These included
Suffolk County Council Trading Standards, Suffolk County Fire and
Rescue Service, Suffolk County Council Practice Advice Team,
district and borough councils, Eaga (Warm Front), Age Concern, the
Pension Service, Suffolk PCT, Help the Aged, Ipswich HEARS, Mow and
Grow, Royal British Legion, Suffolk ACRE, Suffolk Family Carers,
Citizens Advice Bureau, St Matthews Housing and Energy Savings
Trust.
If you would like to know more about any aspect of Home Shield,
contact Tony Fuller at Suffolk County Council. Email:
tony.fuller@csu.suffolkcc.gov.uk;
phone: 07919 165 092
