Service Providers

Stafford and Rural Homes
Project:- Review Sheltered Housing Service
SP Solutions were commissioned to under-take a comprehensive review of SARH’s Sheltered Housing in light of over provision and Staffordshire CC  Supporting People’s requirements. We created a Database of all managed stock, recommended closures or re-commissioning of schemes and conducted a thorough analysis of the financial integrity of the Service.

National Children’s Bureau
Project:- Review of work involving Health and Well Being for Young People in Supported Housing
SP Solutions were employed by NCB to assist develop their module of the National Youth Homelessness Scheme. We have solicited case studies and examples of good practice and joint working from Providers and Supporting People Team Managers and advertised in the project in SITRA’s
Bulletin. Ultimately, the best examples were presented on a new Web Site.

Chrysalis Supported Accommodation
Project:- Review of housing costs
An entirely new budget was developed and an activity based costing exercise was  carried out. Bristol Housing Benefits were given a detailed explanation as to why the rent increases were necessary and the future of the organisation was secured.

Pocklington Trust
Project:- Review of existing policy and practice, and developing a new Quality Assurance System
SP Solutions assisted another consultancy service by visiting services and recommending changes in management reporting and unifying practice across the organisation. Further work was under-taken on creating a new system for holding and reviewing policies.

South Oxford Housing Association
Project:- Interim management of the Floating Support Service
This piece of work required stabilising the service and the writing of
several key policies and setting up of monitoring and reporting systems.

One Housing Support (previously Community Housing Group)
Project:- Review of costs in providing housing services
This was a comprehensive piece of work, which resulted in major savings and improved quality in cleaning, window cleaning and gardening services, and furniture supply.  The work included managing the tender of services through the European Procurement process.  SP Solutions also arranged the interviewing and contracting of Utility Consultants who have negotiated high long-term savings and streamlined billing arrangements for One Housing.  Local Authority Council Tax departments were approached to agree one payment by schedule rather than hundreds of bills being paid to each authority.

Marcus and Marcus Ltd
SP Solutions has worked with Marcus and Marcus Ltd. for several years. Marcus and Marcus Ltd. is a private sector provider of services ot people with learning disabilities in the south of England. We have assisted in budget preparation, contract negotiations, financial and pricing negotiations and tendering for new services. We have assisted the company in achieving over £1 million per year of new business. We have also delivered staff training as well as assisted in preparation for contract reviews and accreditation.

Arbours Association
SP Solutions has worked with the Arbours Association for several years. The Arbours Association is a registered charity that provides therapeutic communities of people with mental heath problems. We have assisted in pricing services, deregistration of registered care homes, contract negotiations and policy development to ensure contract compliance.

Mencap
SP Solutions has worked with Mencap for several years on various aspects of the SP programme. This work has included budget setting, pricing services, contract negotiations and assistance in preparation for SP contract reviews.

Various service providers – contract negotiations and SP implementation
SP Solutions has worked with a number of other providers to assist with various aspects of the SP programme.
Recent projects include:
Working with a national charity to devise a methodology to accurately price SP funded services.

Working with a large private sector provider of SP services to negotiate prices and implement SP service review Action Plans.

Working with a smaller private sector provider to set up new registered care services.

Assisting three providers with preparation for tenders for new services.

Business Planning with a provider of nursing care services.

Assisting a small ethnic minority service provider with implementing the outcome of an SP contract review.