People living in sheltered housing in Reading are being consulted about changes which could lead to staff cuts
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Tenants asked about job cuts
By Linda FortOctober 11, 2011
People living in sheltered housing in Reading are being consulted about changes which could lead to staff cuts.
The 335 tenants in 10 sheltered schemes and their families are being asked their views in a three-month consultation about the changes.
At the moment, there is one dedicated officer for each sheltered housing scheme and that will continue in three of them – Christchurch Court, Bristow Court and Tyrrell Court.
Proposed changes for the other seven are that two teams of staff will cover them all, with people available on site at specific times depending on need.
Staffing levels will be reduced to three officers, instead of four, covering St Stephen’s Court, Weirside, Woodlands and Trinity.
There would be one part-time and one full-time officer, instead of three full-time staff, for Corwen Road, Liebenrood Road and Durham Close.
One proposal involves a change which will mean that, instead of having two staff on duty providing weekend cover across all 10 sites, there will be just one.
In addition, 24-hour, seven days a week, cover will continue to be be provided by the Forestcare community alarm service.
Other plans under discussion include introducing a new post for an activities officer to develop and promote social and healthy activities across all the sheltered housing scheme.
The consultation will also be asking about changing the way the night service is provided. At the moment, two members of staff well-known to the elderly residents respond to calls between 5pm and 8am.
According to the council consultation paperwork, they answer between 450 and 500 calls a year. But about half the calls come from the same 10 tenants.
The consultation document says: “Whilst we appreciate that this service provides peace-of-mind, it is not highly used by the majority of tenants.”
It goes on: “We are therefore very keen to find out your views on the night service during the discussion.”
The plans to review the councils sheltered housing service were proposed last November by the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition then in power and the review continued when Labour took over in May.
Lib Dem leader Daisy Benson raised concerns about the consultation saying: “Labour are picking on some of the most vulnerable people in Reading. Our top priority is to protect the most vulnerable children and adults in Reading.
Lead councillor for housing and neighbourhoods Rachel Eden said: “Any proposed change to such an important service can cause understandable concern. It is important people realise that no decision has yet been made about the proposals.
The consultation ends on December 16. Copies of the questionnaire are available at the Civic Centre and an online version can be found at
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Most recent user comments 5 of 5
Ergo you will find 'politically motivated' cuts being made, such as this, to score points by frightening old people, kids and the vulnerable.
I'd look closer to home - literally - and the petit paper tigers/pen pushers in Local Government - if you want to lay the blame
13/10/2011 at 12:46 Offensive or Inappropriate?
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Readings Sheltered Housing Scheme became a gold standard scheme under the previous Labour Administration. With £19 million of cuts last year and £14 million this year. The labour Group have to make cuts or lose services. This government does not care for the poor or vulnerable. They care for the rich and the powerful. The cabinet are all from privileged backgrounds. and they will do everything to protect those privileges.
If Daisy Benson cares for the poor and vulnerable, then I suggest she leaves the Liberal Party.
13/10/2011 at 08:05 Offensive or Inappropriate?
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I can see that this will worry the residents, part of the reason for them going into sheltered accommodation was the fact that there was someone there the majority of the time.
Elderly people are worried by change and seekthe familiar - it has been stated that at least one of the staff was 'well known' to the residents, which would be a comfort to them in itself.
Don't bother with the activities officer, there are plenty of charities only too willing to come in to provide that kind of thing. Concentrate on making your customers feel secure - the very reason they came into sheltered accommodation in the first place.
12/10/2011 at 13:37 Offensive or Inappropriate?
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11/10/2011 at 20:12 Offensive or Inappropriate?
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11/10/2011 at 09:10 Offensive or Inappropriate?
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