Sheltered housing philosophy

The philosophy underpinning our sheltered housing service includes:

• a commitment to meeting the housing needs of older people by providing good quality specially designed housing
• the creation of an environment within sheltered housing schemes which has at its heart a commitment to promoting the independence of the individual and to enabling older people to live as normal and satisfying a life as possible within their own homes
• a recognition that the people of any community have a responsibility to promote their own welfare, and that of their family, and neighbours; the service provided by the sheltered housing service builds on this and complements it, but does not supersede it. By encouraging independence and choice, tenants are exposed to the same physical and emotional risks, as any other people, and therefore cannot be protected from every risk
• a commitment to ensuring that sheltered housing is outward and not inward looking and is a source to the local community whenever possible
• a commitment to providing tenants with a home for life. Tenants should be able to remain in their own homes until death, if that is their wish, except when their care needs can no longer be adequately met in the settings of their own home, or when medical treatment in hospital is required
• the provision of services should take into account the social, cultural, and ethnic values, together with the religious beliefs for all older people
• to provide an effective service for older people the Council needs to work closely with statutory agencies and the voluntary sector. Services will be provided in conjunction and in co-operation with other agencies, statutory, voluntary, and private
• actively encouraging people to make personal choices and to enable them to do so by provision of information about the services available
• ensuring that the services provided for older people will be based not on stereotypes of old age or on chronological age, but on the individual physical, mental, emotional, or social needs of the person
• a commitment to quality, which ensures that tenants always receive the services they have been promised, and for which they have paid
• managing and respecting the delicate balance between observance of an individual’s rights, with the rights and welfare of other tenants
• ensuring that staff in the sheltered schemes, provide tenants with a service that is accountable and professional

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