Older people

Working with older people and agencies to address the challenges and opportunities of an ageing population is at the core of PFA’s work.

We are working with authorities on delivering on the CPA requirements of partnership and engagement with older people, and developing overall strategies and action plans for an ageing population. We have developed a version of the ‘Every Child Matters’ Outcome Framework for local authorities as part of this work. In one area we are currently developing a network of 29 Senior Councils across a large shire county to build the voice of older people.

We pioneered the development of integrated housing, health and care strategies for older people, and as a result of this were commissioned by CLG (then ODPM) and DH to write the national guidance for local authorities and partners on preparing housing, care and support strategies for older people.

We work closely with central Government, and have written a range of guidance such as a strategic commissioning guidance for the DH Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP). We are the DH evaluators for their extra care capital funding programme, as well as successfully supporting authorities in preparing their bids.

We have been members of the CLG Steering Group for the national housing strategy for older people and have been developing housing market and needs assessments for older people over a number of years.

We have a wide range of needs assessment and service appraisal tools including a sheltered housing options appraisal. We are working with a number of providers to future proof their stock and service and develop robust business plans to deliver change. We also work regularly with Supporting People teams around service review and re-design – for example community alarm services - in order to modernise the pattern of services in a local area.

We are increasingly working with private sector providers who are looking for support around market assessments, planning applications, housing and service models and partnerships in developing older people’s villages, and close care and extra care housing.

We offer a wide range of services, including:

  • National policy and practice guidance for the Government and other national organisations
  • National and local research and evaluation of services and programmes
  • Needs and market assessments
  • Site assessments and support for planning applications
  • Strategy development
  • Commissioning for change
  • Sheltered housing stock option appraisal and business planning
  • System and service review and re-design
  • Building consultation and engagement structures and partnership development
  • Project management support for strategy and service development, contracting and funding bids
  • Learning networks, conferences, training and briefings

Further details about the individual services are provided in the section on Service Type.