Our Supporting People programme was selected, along with Bolton, by Communities and Local Government as Regional Champions for Service User Involvement 2007/2008.

The Government department, headed by Secretary of State Ruth Kelly, has awarded Regional Champion status to just 10 local authorities, covering nine subject areas.

We operate a Housing Support Referral Hub and everyone wanting a Supporting People service (except a sheltered housing service for older people) needs to contact the Hub. We then find people the services they need, which stops them having to apply to lots of different Supporting People services.

In Torbay, Supporting People is a partnership between Torbay Council, Devon and Cornwall Probation Service and Torbay Primary Care Trust. The Supporting People grant is administered by Torbay Council and pays for support services.

The local programme is advised by the Strategy Sub Groups, which are made up of service users, service providers, and agencies who refer people to Supporting People services.

There are six groups, which focus on:

• older people
• learning disability
• physical disability
• young people and families
• homelessness and criminal justice
• mental health