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Panorama exposé on sheltered warden decline sparks Unite concern

24th August 2009

Tonight’s (Monday, 24 August) exposé by BBC’s Panorama on the decline in the number of wardens at sheltered accommodation for the elderly has sparked concern from Unite, the country’s largest union.

The decision by local authorities and housing associations nationwide to replace residential wardens with teams of ‘floating’ workers, covering up to six housing complexes, by a mixture of visits and new monitoring technology should be re-examined, said Unite, which has a large membership in housing associations.

Panorama said that elderly people are angry because, they say, a promise made to them has been broken - that they live in sheltered housing with a residential warden - but the warden is now being taken away. Up and down the country old people have been taking to the streets in protest - and threatening legal action - to save their wardens.
 
Rachael Maskell, Unite national officer, community and non profit sector, said: "Old people and vulnerable adults have every right to be concerned and Unite is calling on councils to immediately re-examine their policies to make sure that funding is prioritised to provide comprehensive services for our most vulnerable in society.

"Wardens have a strong ‘preventative’ role to play in recognising problems before they get too bad and maximising people’s independence.

"A residential warden is physically there on a daily basis and can pick up on problems much more quickly than these ‘floating’ workers. Cost cutting in one part of the service will lead to financial and social costs elsewhere.

"Many older people will feel that they are losing their security, as well as being severely let down - if there was an understanding, when they agreed to move to sheltered accommodation, that a residential warden would be there to assist them.

"Panorama has done a public service in highlighting the concerns from this group of the population, who are often marginalised by news and current affairs programmes." 

ENDS

NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS:

• From 2009, Supporting People funding has switched from a direct funding stream into a local area budget.
• The Harrow Judgement, a case that proved that the Working Time Regulations applied to residential wardens (housing support managers), has caused housing providers to re-organise their supported services, rather than meet the requirements of the regulations.

Rachael Maskell, national officer, community and non profit sector on 020 7420 8979 or 07768 693933 or Shaun Noble, communications officer (third sector) 020 7420 8951 or 07768 693 940.