A registered social landlord has scrapped traditional live-in wardens in favour of a new breed of support officers in a radical shake-up of its sheltered housing.
In what is thought to be the first move of its kind, New Leaf now has one service support officer working office hours, backed by a 24-hour mobile response service, in each of its 65 sheltered developments. They liaise with social services, GPs, other primary care services and meals on wheels, and draw up individual support plans for residents.

New Leaf, the Places for People Group's supported housing subsidiary, made the change after consulting residents. Many felt live-in wardens undermined their independence; others were reluctant to call on someone they saw more as a neighbour than an employee of their landlord.

Service support officer Julie Turner, who was previously a warden, said: "I have more time to spend with residents and their families – and at the end of the day I can go home and switch off."

The first officers began work in December but has not been publicised until now.

Source

Housing Today