Assessment Process for Supported Lodgings Providers

Once the application has been received and the assessment allocated the Supported Lodgings Officer will:

When the assessment is complete and checks and references have been returned the Supported Lodgings Officer will compile a report on the suitability of the applicant using the Assessment Form (Appendix 11: Assessment Form).

The completed assessment will be presented to the Supported Lodgings Panel. During the Panel Meeting the Supported Lodgings Panel will make recommendation on the suitability of the applicant to become a Supported Lodgings Provider and these recommendations will be passed to the Agency Decision Maker. (See Supported Lodgings Panel Procedure).

If the applicant has been approved as a Supported Lodgings Provider:

The Project Co-ordinator will notify the applicant of the decision in writing within 7 working days and send a Supported Lodgings Agreement (Appendix 12: Supported Lodgings Agreement) for the Supported Lodgings Provider to sign and return.

If the applicant has not been approved as a Supported Lodgings Provider:

The Project Co-ordinator will inform the applicant of the decision in writing within 7 working days, detailing the reasons why the applicant has been unsuccessful and outline the applicant's right of appeal.

If the applicant wishes to appeal against the decision of the Supported Lodgings Panel, they must make a representation to the Agency Decision Maker within 28 days from the date of the letter of notification.

The Agency Decision Maker will decide whether to:

• Refer the decision back to the Supported Lodgings Panel for further consultation; or
• Uphold the original decision.

Where the decision is referred back to Panel:

Members need to agree the initial recommendation and the reasons for it or make a new recommendation with reasons.

The applicant must be given the opportunity to make their representations to the Panel in person if they wish to do so. Where an applicant attends Panel to make representations the Chair of the Panel must explain that the Panel's role is to listen but that members are not required to enter into a debate in justification of their recommendation.

Where an applicant is referred back to Panel, the Agency Decision Maker is required to consider any further recommendations made by members and then notify the applicant of the agency's final decision together with a copy of the Panel's final recommendations and clear reasons within 7 working days of the Panel meeting.

After approval the Supported Lodgings Officer will draw up a training agreement with the Supported Lodgings Provider for core training (see Guidance for Supported Lodgings Providers).

The Supported Lodgings Provider will be notified in writing by the Supported Lodgings Service of training sessions. Notice periods may vary when courses become available at short notice.

The Supported Lodgings Provider will be required to confirm their attendance/non-attendance. Attendance is encouraged and any practicalities causing difficulties in regular attendance at training should be discussed during the assessment process between the Supported Lodgings Provider and the Supported Lodgings Officer.

Persistent non-attendance should be addressed during supervision sessions (see Supervision for Supported Lodgings Providers) and/or annual reviews.

All training sessions will be recorded on the Training Programme Form (Appendix 17: Training Programme Form) by the Supported Lodgings Service administration team and recorded on liquid logic LCS.

Termination of approval can occur because:

A Supported Lodgings Provider decides they no longer wish to continue as a Supported Lodgings Provider with the service:

The Supported Lodgings Provider should write to the Project Co-ordinator informing them and giving 28 days' notice.

The Supported Lodgings Service is no longer satisfied that the Supported Lodgings Provider and the household are suitable:

If serious concerns have arisen the Supported Lodgings Officer will discuss these with the Supported Lodgings Provider.

A review of approval will be conducted and concerns will be presented at the Supported Lodgings Panel.

A recommendation will be made to the Agency Decision Maker who will consider all information. The Supported Lodgings Provider will receive a letter giving:

• The reasons for the Agency decision;
• The date it will take effect;
• Details of the complaints procedure which can also be found on the: Durham County Council website.

Appendix 1: Initial Telephone Screening

Appendix 2: Initial Visit Report

Appendix 3: Initial Visit Guidance

Appendix 4: Information Database Check

Appendix 5: Home Safety Checklist

Appendix 6: Confidential Reference Request - Employer

Appendix 7: Confidential Reference Request - General

Appendix 8: Confidential Reference Request - Children

Appendix 9: Confidential Reference Request - Ex Partner

Appendix 10: Dog Risk Assessment

Appendix 11: Assessment Form

Appendix 12: Supported Lodgings Agreement

Appendix 13: Role of Supported Lodgings Provider

Appendix 14: Application Form

Appendix 15: Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

Appendix 16: Consent Form

Appendix 17: Training Programme Form

Appendix 18: Request for Approval to Undertake Outside Work