Supporting People
Supporting People is the policy and funding framework for housing support services. The programme was introduced in April 2003 under the Housing Support Services (2002 Order) (Commencement) Order (Northern Ireland) 2003 and the Housing Support Services Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003.
Background
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive is responsible for approval for the commissioning of housing support services that meet strategic need identified by the Strategic Advisory Board.
The Strategic Advisory Board (a partnership of local housing, social care, health and probation statutory services) plays a key role in advising and approving Supporting People services. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive Board makes the final decision on which services will be approved for funding.
Housing support services are practical services that assist people to maintain independent living in the community. Support can take a number of different forms. It could include general counselling and advice, help with budgeting, shopping, dealing with issues around home safety or assistance with administrative affairs.
Supporting People is a wide and varied programme that reaches out to
- people who have been homeless or a rough sleeper
- ex-offenders and people at risk of offending and imprisonment
- people with a physical or sensory disability
- people at risk of domestic violence
- people experiencing harm due to alcohol / substance use
- teenage parents
- elderly people
- young people at risk
- people with learning difficulties
- travellers
- homeless families with support needs
- migrant Workers
For more information on Supporting People visit the NIHE website
Review of Supporting People
A Review of the Supporting People Programme was completed by this Department, working collaboratively with the Department of Health and Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) and with input from Department of Justice(DOJ) , the Committee Representing Interests of Supporting People Providers (CRISPP) and the wider Supporting People sector.
The Supporting People Review final report was published in November 2015 and thirteen recommendations were identified. Work is ongoing regarding the implementation of these recommendations. Documents in relation to the review are available from DfC, contact SupportingPeopleGovernance@communities-ni.gov.uk.
The Supporting People Policy Framework (NI) 2025 guidance
The Supporting People Policy Framework (NI) 2025, is the updated Departmental guidance for the Supporting People Programme. This replaces the Supporting People Policy Framework (NI) 2023 which was produced to address Recommendation 6 of the 2015 SP Review, referred to above. The Department for Communities has overall responsibility for publishing and maintaining this guidancee.
Special Needs Management Allowance (SNMA)
Special Needs Management Allowance (SNMA) is a distinct form of Supporting People provision within Registered Care Homes.
Special Needs Management Allowance was established in 1993 to provide funding for housing support for people who are vulnerable, socially disadvantaged or disabled. Following the introduction of the Supporting People Programme in 2003, a small number of SNMA schemes in Residential Care Homes continued.
In 2022, the Department for Communities (DfC) commissioned a team at the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research at Sheffield Hallam University to undertake a Review of SNMA.