Housing 21 shortlisted for Care and Support provider of the year award

Housing 21 is celebrating their recent success in being shortlisted for 24housing’s 2019 awards. The leading not-for-profit provider of Retirement Housing and Extra Care will be up against nine other care and support providers, including Langley House Trust and Northampton Partnership Homes, at the awards ceremony on Tuesday 10 October.

Housing 21 supports independence and choice for older people through providing quality housing and care, managing over 20,000 properties and providing over 42,000 hours of social care each week. The organisation works closely with local authorities, providing a desirable alternative to residential care. The on-site care team are available 24/7 to provide residents with tailored care and support. Specialist design features throughout the Extra Care apartments and communal areas also enable residents to live independently for as long as possible.

Four of Housing 21’s Extra Care services have been rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). This means Housing 21 has met its target for at least 5% of its Extra Care courts to be rated ‘Outstanding’ by March 2021, 18 months early! At present, 97% of their care services are rated at least ‘Good’, with the aim to increase this to 100% by March 2021. 

Housing 21’s recent resident survey found that 97% of residents, who are in receipt of care, are satisfied with the quality of the care provided. 98% of residents also agreed that their Care Workers treat them with dignity, respect and listen to what they have to say.

In a bid to consistently improve the care and support on offer to residents, Housing 21 launched a digital system which enables Housing and Care Managers to be even more responsive to residents’ needs. This includes recording daily checks, changes to personal information and submitting housing repairs in seconds.

Since achieving the Investors in People Gold accreditation in July 2018, the social housing provider are hoping to add the Care and Support Provider of the year award to their list of achievements.

For Housing 21, Care Workers are an integral part of making a difference to the lives of older people. The organisation’s care workforce has been restructured to offer Care Workers pay that sits at least 10% above the National Living Wage, as well as guaranteed hour contracts. As a result of this, as staff retention improves, residents can expect at least 70% of their care to be delivered by permanent staff. This ensures care is consistent and therefore minimal distress will be caused to residents by changing faces – an issue that is prevalent in the industry.

Kris Peach, Director of Extra Care at Housing 21 said: “We are delighted to be recognised as one of the best care providers in England by 24housing.

“We have been working extremely hard to ensure our quality of care is constantly improving and this includes changes to our employment offer for Care Workers, who now receive at least 10% above the National Living Wage and guaranteed hour contracts for all of their normal working hours.

“We recognise that high quality care comes from the right staff who understand the changing needs of older people and our person-centred approach.

“We have done so much over the last 12 months and look forward to hearing the results at the award ceremony next month!”