The Department for Work and Pensions in collaboration with the Local Government Association and other government departments, has launched a strategy to join up services across and beyond government and simplify how older people are able to access the services and help they need.The Pension Service Local Service and local authorities are joining forces nationally to form ‘Joint Teams’ to provide integrated services focused on health, housing, benefits and social care for older people. The Joint Team will be an integrated partnership between The Pension Service Local Service and a primary tier local authority. The teams will be dedicated to developing processes that reduce duplication and focus on improving the service to the customer. Team members will be authorised to carry out administrative functions, such as information gathering and verification, on behalf of each of the partners. Staff will undertake single visits, taking claims across the range of benefits and, at the same time, making financial assessments for services.

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A dozen pathfinder authorities are to take the next steps in projects to tackle health inequalities within their areas under a scheme being supported by the Improvement and Development Agency. Work the councils have already done is available for other authorities to share.Working towards healthier communities is one of the Shared Priority themes developed by central and local government because of concerns about widening inequality in health between groups and areas. The differences cross the generations but significantly affect children and are blamed for holding back educational standards.

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Local councils have been told it is up to them to ensure more than five billion pounds being made available over the next three years to enable more vulnerable people to lead independent lives is used to best advantage. The funding settlement – part of this year’s Spending Review will provide 1.72 billion in the year 2005 to 6 followed by similar amounts in the two succeeding years under the Supporting People programme.The government is claiming the three-year settlement shows its commitment to improving the quality of life for those at risk. The money will provide housing-related support including home visits, alarm systems and advice on accessing benefits to which they are entitled. At the same time local government is to be encouraged to improve value for money in providing services in this area and to share best practice after auditors found scope for savings.

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