ODPM welcomes the Audit Commission's report. We believe this has done an excellent job in highlighting not only the issues and concerns, but also the benefits, of the Supporting People programme.
Over the past three years Supporting People has delivered high quality, housing-related support, bringing real benefits to individuals and communities. For example, older people have been supported in order to retain their home and independence, some have been helped out of the crisis of homelessness, and people with learning difficulties have been enabled to live independently rather than in residential homes. The Quality Assessment Framework has also made a significant contribution to raising standards of service, with some of our most vulnerable people now receiving higher quality services, tailored to their individual needs. We are pleased that the report reflects this achievement. Without Supporting People, the opportunity for vulnerable people to improve their quality of life, through a stable environment which enables greater independence, would be greatly reduced.