Laura Mills, Peter Saunders and Rachel Watts Picture Ref: 77346-67SWINDON Council is getting the basics right looking after vulnerable people but it needs to improve.
An Audit Commission report today gives the council's Supporting People programme one star on a scale of zero to three.
The £5.7million programme, which provides housing support, was judged as "fair" with "uncertain prospects for improvement."
Elderly and homeless people, as well as those with mental health problems or learning difficulties, are among those helped by the government-funded scheme, which has been run by the council with the Probation Service and Swindon Primary Care Trust since April 2003.
Audit Commission inspector Shayne Hembrow said: "The council has been slow in getting the programme off the ground, but they have made progress and are getting the basics right.
"However, the council and its partners need to be sure the programme is delivering the right outcomes to enable vulnerable people to live independently.
Coun David Renard, (Con, Haydon Wick) the council cabinet member for housing said: "We accept we haven't got everything perfect yet but we've concentrated on what we saw as the most important elements. We have a plan in place to make the service even better."
Isabel Field
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