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Handypersons evaluation: interim key findings
- Authors:
- CROUCHER Karen, LOWSON Karin
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Department for Communities and Local Government
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 6p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Handypersons carry out minor home repairs and adaptations to help older and disabled people remain living independently in their own home. In 2009/10 the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) introduced a handypersons grant for local authorities in England. (£17m in 2010/11). This funding was designed to kick-start new services and to build capacity and range of services where they already existed. Alongside this funding, DCLG commissioned an independent evaluation of the national programme. This briefing summarises the findings from the first year of evaluation. It includes a review of the literature, surveys of local authorities and service providers, and case study interviews with key stakeholders, including service providers, in local authorities. These interim findings show that the DCLG funded handyperson schemes offer valuable services for older and disabled people. Emerging messages for success highlight: the importance of innovative management and effective teams; using feedback from clients; gaining the support of local communities and linking with other services and groups; promoting to a range of commissioners and other organisations; and demonstrating the preventative nature of handyperson services in avoiding costs elsewhere. The full report (due autumn 2011) will assemble evidence on setting up and operating successful services including a financial benefits toolkit.