Key challenges for vulnerable people have been identified by a number of Audit Commission Reports and government research reports. In particular, research and public surveys have highlighted the importance of assisting vulnerable and older people to have independent living within their own homes. Improving quality of life for vulnerable people requires concerted efforts across a wide range of local agencies and services:
- improving quality of life for vulnerable people by focusing on:
- housing and the home
- the neighbourhood in which vulnerable and older people live
- social activities and social inclusion of vulnerable and older people
- getting out and about with flexible transport systems
- maximising income and benefits for vulnerable and older people to prevent poverty
- better information, advice and coordination across all agencies
- assisting independent living for vulnerable people
- preventing avoidable injuries among older people
- improving the employment prospects of disabled adults.
Prioritising the needs of vulnerable people, including older people and people with learning disabilities, in the Local Area Agreement (LAA) will ensure consideration is given to the reshaping of local services across many agencies to assist independent living to enhance employment prospects for people with learning disabilities, and to prevent avoidable injuries, falls and hospital admissions. Furthermore, inclusion in the LAA will help the targeting of resources from acute and institutional services to preventative services in the community and neighbourhood, as identified in the Government White Paper, Our Health, Our Care Our Say (2007).
