1 Establishing the West Midlands Regional Forum on Ageing Chris Eade Assistant Director : Worklessness and Later Life Government Office West Midlands

2 The Elbourne Review 2008 Minister for Pensions Reform (Mike O’Brien) asked John Elbourne to : “Examine the current arrangements for the engagement of older people and the ability of those arrangements to inform policy and actions of Government at all levels…… … explore options for improvement of engagement with older people in respect of the new Government performance framework and in relation to the roles of other organisations…. … make recommendations to ensure that the findings of the review take full account of the expectations of older people, best support the independence and wellbeing of people in later life and ensure an effective and efficient process to serve these needs.”

3 Findings ‘’ older people’s engagement with government is often very impressive, but is patchy…. there is much effective practice to build on’’ John Elbourne : October 2008

4 Detailed findings Extensive engagement with older people by Third Sector organisations and Charities Nearly 4,500 charities working with older people Older People’s Advisory Group network of around 200 local forums, consisting 500,000 older people BUT Audit Commission’s report “Don’t Stop me Now” found that only 28% of local authorities were performing well and had meaningful engagement with the older community YET Where local authorities have put processes in place to listen to older people, these tend to work well, with clear models of engagement and strong leadership. SO? Significant numbers of older people are involved, but their views are not being captured or responded to

5 Opportunities No systematic means of capturing views at a national level 1998 : Better Government for Older People : ‘’groundbreaking’’ : need to build on this Need to spread best practice and develop local Older People’s Advisory Groups Need to develop leadership : successful engagement relies on this! Original partnership structure, governance, and hosting arrangements need to be reviewed Individual and collective views can be captured Forums and groups should be constituted to ensure that views are accurately presented by those elected to do so

6 Way Forward Provide a clearer and more influential voice for older people at all levels Re-invigorate the original Better Government for Older people ‘spirit of partnership’ Reinforce leadership at all levels to provide a focus for older people’s issues Provide more support to strengthen grassroots Advisory Groups Spread older people engagement Utilise and complement other organisations/ forums to ensure views are heard Provide improved value for money for government funding

7 Recommendations Establish a National UK Advisory Forum for Older People, which brings together government, older people and other organisations; Establish regional forums; Strengthen Advisory Groups with dedicated support from Government Offices; Spread good practice, using an 18 month programme building on Beacon Scheme Authorities

8 Impact Stronger national and regional leadership on the Later Life agenda; Stronger influence on Central Government, regional and local policy; Strengthened partnerships, with new roles, in a new structure; Developing effective engagement across all Local Authorities; Using the experience, talents and skills of those currently engaged on the Later Life agenda

9 Elbourne and the Government Office GOWM will work with organisations with a focus on the Later Life agenda in this region to: Establish and support the Regional Forum; Facilitate links to the UK Forum; Undertake a mapping exercise to identify the extent of engagement and good practice across the region; Support the establishment of Older People Advisory Groups, where gaps in the network are identified.

10 Elbourne: the Government Office response GOWM will: Work with partnerships and agencies to ensure effective engagement, that captures the views of all groups; Promote the Government’s refreshed Opportunity Age strategy; Promote the age provisions in Equality Bill; Encourage Partnerships to consider and respond to issues that impact on Later Life :health, employment, skills, housing, social care, neighbourhoods, leisure/arts/well being Identify opportunities to promote the Forum’s work within the Region

11 The Regional Forum How? Facilitated, initial meeting of broad range of groups to consider : Membership Chair Terms of Reference Priorities Focus Process to deliver : sub groups? Links to other Regional Groups Communications Wider regional assembly

12 Membership Build up from existing partnerships/networks and for a Keep it Strategic Ensure it is Diverse ( Later Life is complex!) Ensure the links with smaller/more local groups and networks Get buy in from key strategic partners Ensure voice Keep it manageable

13 Regional Agencies Who to include? Anyone who should have an interest in the Later Life agenda : from health and housing to skills and employment Government Office West Midlands Equalities & Human Rights Commission Advantage West Midlands Jobcentre Plus The Pensions and Disability Carers Service Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Services Local Government association DWP Head Office contact West Midlands Improvement and Efficiency Partnership Housing and Communities Agency Strategic Health Authority

14 Named Contacts Key Contacts: Chris Eade Assistant Director for Worklessness and Later Life Helga Edstrom Team Leader Worklessness and Later Life Carol Wallace Worklessness and Later Life

15 Role of Housing in Later Life What needs to be considered: Assessing needs : current and future : people and homes Inclusion in the mainstream Planning for Strategic Investment : long term Building communities Understanding changing aspirations Unlocking potential

16 Homes for the Future Pathways to accomodation ( and jobs etc)? Cost benefit realisation? Raising the profile of disadvantaged and vulnerable groups? Planning for the long term : individuals? Sharing best practice? Communication and engagement?