Background of the LTU Prospecting Initiative

<BODY BGCOLOR="black" BACKGROUND="back3.gif" TEXT="#1031AD" LINK=RED VLINK=BLUE> <CENTER> <TABLE WIDTH=580 BORDER=0> <TR><TD> <CENTER> <FONT SIZE=6> <FONT FACE="HELVETICA"> <B> Liverpool Home Care Prospecting Initiative <BR> LTU Prospects Project </B> </FONT> </FONT> </CENTER> <FONT COLOR=RED> <H3> Background to the LTU Prospecting Initiative </H3> </FONT> <P> <B> <FONT COLOR=RED> Introduction </FONT> <BR> LHCPI was a European funded Action Research project for LTU. From December 1996 to June 1997 (the time focused upon in this report) the project researched the potential market for the provision of quality home care services. <BR> The project is hosted by LCC Ltd. an established community care business that provides domiciliary care services to people suffering from mental health needs. <BR> The Initiative aimed to establish whether new or expanded community business activity could be generated to meet demand. Any resulting job opportunities would be targeted at long term unemployed people, especially those aged 40 years or over, who have been out of work for more than two years. <P> <FONT COLOR=RED> The Origins of the Initiative </FONT> <BR> In 1994 Merseyside was accorded Objective One status for the receipt of EU structural funds assistance. Merseyside’s formerly port-based economy has seen continual decline and job loss throughout the post-war period. The area faces deep-rooted problems of poverty, lack of social infrastructure, poor health, endemic demand deficiency in the labour market, the out-migration of younger economically active people, and high levels of unemployment, much of it of long term duration. (Source: CEDA Report) <BR> Despite this there is a strong and successful tradition of self-help and creativity to overcome difficulties throughout the region. This can already be seen in the creation of the 38 community partnerships set up under the auspices of Objective One "Pathways to Integration". These partnerships are developing new structures for Business development <BR> Under Article Ten of the regulations for implementing the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), one per cent of the budget is for the Commission to fund studies and pilot schemes of use to the European Community as a whole. In July 1995 the Commission invited the Merseyside Local Authorities to bid under a new programme to operate pilot projects to assist the LTU. Merseyside was one of 19 regions across the EU selected to bid. <BR> A working group comprising of representatives from the 5 Local Authorities, Merseyside European Liaison Unit, Government Offices Merseyside and the voluntary sector met during August and September 1995 to prepare the bid. The Further Education sector and the TECs were involved and the Group were assisted by Professor Peter Lloyd from the University of Liverpool. <BR> This working group commissioned a report into possible new areas of employment on Merseyside. This report was undertaken by CEDA and was used to create the draft specification document. <P> <FONT COLOR=RED> A European Union Supported Initiative </FONT> <BR> Similar research is underway in 15 other European countries. All the results will be collated and submitted to Brussels for evaluation. From this, it is hoped to draw recommendations that can be applied across Europe as to how best develop new sources of employment. <P> <FONT COLOR=RED> The LHCPI Team </FONT> <BR> The team were appointed in December 1996 and consists of a Market Research and Development Officer (MRDO), three Care Service Advisers (CSAs) and an Administrative Officer and was managed by the general manager of Liverpool Community Care Ltd. <P> <FONT COLOR=RED> Liverpool Community Care Ltd. </FONT> <BR> LCC Ltd. is working in partnership with the local authority services and other interested parties to support people with mental health needs. Domiciliary support is the provision of practical support and personal care which helps an individual to live in his or her own home, and supports relatives and friends who normally provide that care. In doing this, LCC Ltd. is supporting people in leading the life they want to live. <BR> LCC Ltd. is a city wide community business providing domiciliary care and was established in 1996. In hosting LHCPI, LCC Ltd. managed a project that intended to be of potential benefit to all independent providers, both in Liverpool and on Merseyside. LCC Ltd. do not "own" the project’s findings. Regular progress reports have been provided to the Steering Group and other interested parties throughout. <P> <FONT COLOR=RED> The Steering Group of LHCPI </FONT> <BR> Overall advisers to the LHCPI are representatives from: <UL> <LI>Liverpool Social Services <LI>Liverpool City Council; (Economic Development and European Affairs Unit) <LI>Liverpool Community Care Ltd. <LI>Liverpool Housing Action Trust <LI>Employment Liaison Service <LI>Liverpool Community Based Economic Development sector <LI>Anti-Poverty unit <LI>Liverpool Pathways Organisations <LI>Liverpool Association of Disabled People <LI>Mr. E. Gowling, Market Research Consultant <LI>Other specialist advice. </UL> <P> <FONT COLOR=RED> New Sources of Employment </FONT> <BR> In pursuing its objectives, the Initiative had two main areas of focus: <UL> <LI> The provision of care services that are regarded as "care to the person". This includes dressing, bathing, basic therapeutic care services etc. <LI>The provision of complementary "add-on" services. This includes child care, gardening, energy conservation, home safety and security, laundry, painting and decorating, property repairs, transport, domestic services and good neighbour activities. </UL> The Initiative aimed to establish if there was sufficient unmet demand for these and other care services to allow the creation or expansion of community businesses to meet this demand. These businesses would aim to employ LTU and train them in the skills required to deliver a service. In doing so, viable and sustainable businesses would be established that provide services for the community and employ members of the local community to provide these services. <P> <FONT COLOR=RED> Potential Business Activity </FONT> <BR> To further assess business viability LHCPI is establishing a Pilot Service to meet demands identified through the projects research. <BR> This information could then be used by other providers to develop viable businesses. <BR> It should be noted that any jobs created from the research will not displace jobs already in existence. <P> <FONT COLOR=RED> Links with the Pathways Partnerships </FONT> <BR> Emphasis has been given to liaison between LHCPI and the Pathways areas with the aim of developing the positive outcomes of the Initiative after the project has finished. It is recognised that the Pathways areas are a vital part of the economic regeneration of Liverpool. In achieving this LHCPI has also developed links within the CBED community. <P> <FONT COLOR=RED> Welfare Benefits and Income Maximisation </FONT> <BR> The Initiative aimed to investigate if Income Maximisation, through the identification of possible welfare benefits claims, had an effect upon the level of demand for care services. It also investigated if welfare benefits maximisation was a source of income that people would use to purchase care services. <BR> The CSAs are experienced in advising on, and, most importantly, securing welfare benefits for persons of low income. People who were seeking care services were given advice to improve their income and capacity to pay for services. <BR> The CSAs identified possible opportunities for Income Maximisation, and where this was the case claims were made on behalf of the service user. <BR> In providing Welfare Rights advice LHCPI increased the incomes and purchasing power of people within the community. <P> <FONT COLOR=RED> The Welfare Benefits System </FONT> <BR> The social security system is notoriously complex. <P> <FONT COLOR=RED> Dissemination of Information </FONT> <BR> LHCPI aimed at benefiting the whole of Liverpool. This report has been presented to ensure that the results are widely known and that as many providers as possible are aware of the findings. A seminar will be held in Autumn 1997 to facilitate this. <BR> For details regarding obtaining information contained in this Report, please contact: <BR> Margaret Callan<BR> LHCPI <BR> c/o Liverpool Community Care Ltd<BR> London Road Business Centre<BR> 106 London Road<BR> LIVERPOOL <BR> L3 5JY<BR> <P> Phone/Fax: 0151 475 3203.<BR> E-mail:<A HREF="MAILTO:lhcpi@mersinet.co.uk">lhcpi@mersinet.co.uk</A> </B> </TD></TR> </TABLE> </CENTER> <B> <H5> <A HREF="xecutive.html" >[Executive Summary]</A> <A HREF="bacbot.html" >[Background of the LTU]</A> <A HREF="research.html">[Research Objectives]</A> <A HREF="conclusi.html" >[Conclusions]</A> <A HREF="recommen.html">[Recommendations]</A> <A HREF="glossary.html" >[Glossary of Terms]</A> <A HREF="lpool.html">[Liverpool Community Care Ltd]</A> </H5> </B> </BODY>