Wiltshire's innovative scheme to help older people live more independently, has received national recognition in the government's key White Paper on social care reform.
The Help to Live at Home programme developed by Wiltshire Council, in partnership with older people, has resulted in a range of new services that are available to help more people in the county to stay living independently in their own homes for longer.
Paul Burstow, Minister of State for Care Services, mentioned Wiltshire in his speech at the Kings Fund as an example of good practice. He talks about how different councils are responding to the pressure of social care in different ways.
“The smart ones are working with service users, carers and providers to innovate and redesign services. Using the investment in reablement. Looking to integrate. Sharing back office functions.”
Mr Burstow goes on to applaud the ways some councils have risen to the challenge and are protecting vulnerable people, “Wiltshire, who have transformed their provision of domiciliary care. They have managed to reduce delivery costs by 20 to 25 percent through tighter geographic organisation of provision, the integration of housing support, reablement and low level preventive services, and the introduction of automated billing.
“As part of the new contracts the council has introduced a payment by results system. The results must improve independence and quality of life, delay deterioration or prevent harm.”
The council appointed four organisations to deliver a joined up care and support service (Help to Live at Home) which provides personal care such as help with bathing, getting dressed, managing your home, being part of the community as well as advice and support.
It has also developed a new service that provides a wide range of equipment and practical help for people, a 24 hour response service and indentified two organisations which can assist people with obtaining appropriate financial advice. All of these services are available to the whole population of Wiltshire.
Cabinet member for adult social services, John Thomson, said: “When we spoke to people we heard how important it was for them to remain in their own community and own homes and to receive the help they need in a crisis.
“Services developed under the The Help to Live at Home programme will provide that support. Having just one provider in each area, will also make it a lot easier for people to access the services and find out what’s available to them.

“We are very confident that this scheme will vastly improve the care at home people receive.”
These changes are a result of an extensive two year consultation in which residents were asked what they wanted from their care.

Any residents or carers who would like to know more about Help to Live at Home can call 01225 712553.