Later Life Planning - London Borough of Barnet
Project description
Later Life Planning (LLP) aims to provide a flexible and holistic one stop shop for older people to help them plan for their future, retirement and to keep well and active. The London Borough of Barnet started this service in September 2013. Operating like a 'triage' service, it will build on the routine NHS 'health check' and will look at ways to sustain or improve wellbeing into older age.
LLP will be supported by a new model of neighbourhood provision for older adults offered by a group of providers working in partnership with Barnet. These will include information and advice, exercise classes, falls prevention, befriending, digital inclusion and intergenerational services.
Who is the service for?
- People planning for retirement and people considering their future retirement plans e.g. their financial position, suitability of current housing and lifestyle choices and changes
- Those with an adult child with disabilities needing to plan for their care after they die
- People who might benefit from a connection to local services, community or family support
- People with immediate needs for support but who are confused by available provision, for example, those recently discharged from hospital or are in poor health
- Those who have had a change in family circumstances and those who are socially isolated.
Intended outcomes
- Service users are supported to maintain independence and feel confident through receiving information, advice and advocacy relevant to their needs
- Service users are supported to access other services they may need
- Service users are supported to maximise their income, including receipt of the correct welfare benefits
- Service users at risk of social isolation or loneliness are supported to engage with social activity (to participate in leisure / cultural / faith and/or informal learning activities)
- Service users are supported to better manage their overall health and well-being, mental health and emotional well-being.
Why is the service being developed?
Social care and health services are undergoing a major transformation and in line with national strategy, Barnet is redesigning prevention services for older people in partnership with existing local voluntary sector providers. A wider choice of provision is required in more localised areas, which is responsive to the needs and aspirations of older people in order that they fulfil their potential in a safe and supportive environment.
Later Life Planning reflects the London Borough of Barnet's aspirations to commission services which support people to plan ahead with the aim of ensuring people have the information and advice they need to plan retirement, later life and make adequate arrangements for any change in health or mobility to avoid crisis and dependency on health/social care services.
Were people who use services and carers and other key stakeholders involved in setting up this service?
There was public consultation about neighbourhood services for older adults with explicit feedback sought on the Later Life Planning concept.
The plan and progress with neighbourhood model has been regularly been channelled through the Older Adults' Partnership Board facilitated by London Borough of Barnet and Barnet Older Persons Assembly (BOPA).
A User Reference Group has participated in with provider selection and will act as a steering group for implementation of the service. When consulted with older people consistently maintain an interest in staying well, active and healthy for as long as possible. They require access to the right support at the right time, as well as a sense of belonging to a family or social grouping.
Engagement and consultation with providers has shaped the proposed services. Commissioning future provision through the existing provider groups will create the conditions for integrated working.
Key stakeholders include the Barnet Health & Wellbeing Board, Barnet Older Adults Partnership Board, Barnet Adults & Communities Care Services and Commissioning, Community Barnet, a range of providers and cultural community groups.
Has the service met the intended outcomes?
The service has only launched in September 2013. At the time of going on our website the service had not yet been evaluated.
Do you have information on costs or savings?
The LLP service will in the main be free of charge to users. However, ancillary expenses such as the travel costs for volunteers to accompany people on visits or personal phones charges will not be met.
The annual contract value for LLP is £150,000 over 3 years.
What were the learning points in setting up this service?
- It is important to be clear how new models fit into existing networks and service provision
- Wide consultation and shared understanding of commissioning intentions need to be planned carefully
- As this is a new service, it has been crucial throughout to be very specific about what it does and does not do.
Contact details
Glen Crosier
Commissioning Manager, Adults & Communities, London Borough of Barnet
Glen.crosier@barnet.gov.uk
Tel: 0208 359 6193