24 June 08 – Publication of working paper 53: linkage plus: access to information and services for older people – the joined up approach
Research published today reports on methods used by eight LinkAge Plus pilots, which bring together local authorities and their partners in government, health and the voluntary and community sector, to improve access to information and services for older people.
The pilots are testing different methods of providing information to individual older people, service providers and other professionals who work with older people. The pilots aim to make it easier to identify and meet their needs by joining up local information and services. In most pilots additional services and activities have also been provided but the emphasis has been on joining up what’s already there across the sectors.
The research says that the pilots have responded positively and diversely to this challenge, reflecting local circumstances and building upon existing provision and delivery systems. These include:
- electronic information systems joining up information from partners;
- leaflet based self-check lists;
- a council-wide IT system offering older callers additional services such as a home security check;
- an operational partnership whereby a range of service providers complete a simple check list on each other’s behalf when they visit a client and then refer for further services;
- network or neighbourhood centres extending the type of services they offer; and
- outreach in both urban and rural areas to reach the most isolated.
The research finds that the heterogeneity of the over-50 age group means that we need to think in terms of different generations with different information and service needs. Many will be independent, but others will need assistance or advocacy.
The pilots have worked across local authorities, with voluntary and community sector partners and in some cases with the Primary Care Trust (PCT), to extend the number of points of access to information and services and to a range of activities to promote wellbeing and independence. In some case this has already led to a reduction in duplication, better targeting and improved cost-effectiveness. One example is Nottinghamshire where the fire service has been helped to serve its target group better while in Tower Hamlets the PCT is now basing some of its services in local centres.
Some pilots are working on life event based services, for example services helping those who are bereaved or become disabled, offering additional support at times of change. An example of this is Salford’s housing options service, a new service which supports older people of all tenures to move home or get the help they need to stay put. Outreach has already demonstrated that it is an effective way to identify unmet need. In Gloucestershire around 230 direct referrals for services are made by the village agents each month with referrals for social care increasing initially from a low base of 60 to 109 in rural parishes in a three month snapshot year-on-year comparison.
In addition to getting partners to join up and work in a more person-centred way, the LinkAge Plus projects have widened access to healthy living activities and helped to develop networks of friendship and support in localities.
This report is an interim assessment of the LinkAge Plus approach and one of a series of reports focusing on key themes. A full evaluation report will be available in March 2009, with two further thematic reports available later in 2008.
Notes to Editors
- Working Paper 53 ‘Access to Information and Services for Older People – the joined-up approach’ is published as part of the DWP Working Papers Series
- The authors are Katrina Ritters and Howard Davis from the Local Government Centre, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick.
- The report draws on interviews with key stakeholders, monitoring and performance information, a literature review and early findings from local evaluations.
- The report can be found at: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/WP53.pdf.
Prepared by: Department for Work and Pensions State Pensions, Older People and Pensions Reform Directorate
