Housing support for the vulnerable residents of Warrington offers “promising” prospects for the future, but is currently only “fair”, according to the Audit Commission.

An independent report by the organisation, in cooperation with Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation and Commission for Social Care Inspection, adjudged that recent steps taken by Warrington Council were worthy of a one-star “fair” rating.

The groups were focusing on the delivery of the local Supporting People scheme, which is expected to cost £7.7 million.

“Warrington is making fair progress in its delivery of the Supporting People programme,” said Paul Clarke, lead housing inspector at the Audit Commission.

“The council has completed an effective review of services, identifying improvements to raise the standard of services. It has also implemented a framework to scrutinise costs and eligibility, resulting in savings which have been reinvested in additional services to extend the capacity of the programme,” he continued.

In order to make further progress, leaders of the scheme will need to assess the outcomes of the programme, upgrade IT services, make arrangements to include more carers and encourage each of its stakeholders to attend governance meetings, commissioners concluded.

© Adfero Ltd