The Staying Put Agency has been named the best in the UK at the 2018 national Home Improvement Agency Awards.
The Agency supports older people, vulnerable and those with disabilities, to be independent, warm and safe in their own homes.
The latest accolade builds on commendations at last year’s awards, and was announced at an event held at the House of Lords.
Organised by Foundations, the national body for HIAs, the annual awards – sponsored by ProCare – recognise the way in which the 200-strong HIA sector is contributing to the prevention and early intervention agenda in helping to link up health, housing and social care.
For the second year running the awards have resulted in joint winners of HIA Service of the Year, with Middlesbrough Staying Put and Lincolnshire HIA sharing this year’s top honour.
Middlesbrough Staying Put – an HIA run by Middlesbrough Council – has grown from a small grants department to a comprehensive prevention service that’s now playing a vital role in redesigning health and social care services.
As well as developing a wide range of support that includes everything from Telecare to a successful hospital discharge service, the HIA has worked hard to collaborate with partners and share learning with neighbouring local authorities.
Awards host Lord Best said: “It’s absolutely vital that we ensure vulnerable people are safe at home and enable them to live healthier, more independent lives as we shift the emphasis towards preventive services.
“These awards highlight how Home Improvement Agencies are rising to that challenge.”
Paul Smith, Director of Foundations, commented on the Awards: “What’s striking about this year’s awards is the way in which HIAs across the country are finding innovative ways to maximise the impact of funding and resources.
"We’re seeing more and more collaboration and that can only bode well for the integration of housing, health and social care.”
Councillor Julia Rostron, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, said: “We know how valuable Staying Put is to so many people and their families across Middlesbrough.
“The service enables them to maintain their independence for longer, which improves their quality of life, and that in turn has far-reaching benefits for the wider community.
“This fantastic award is deserved recognition of the professionalism, commitment and dedication of a team whose work really does change lives.”
