erosh, an independent organisation championing good quality older people’s housing and support, has conducted a full review of Soha’s Independent Living service and found it meets all the criteria of its Code of Practice.
The assessor visited one of Soha’s three Extra Care and two of the 12 Independent Living schemes in November during which he saw the accommodation and observed services in use. He remarked on the favourable legacy of the pandemic when staff had worked hard to keep residents connected with each other and their landlord. In most schemes, free WiFi had since been installed, along with information screens allowing residents to benefit from information on events and opportunities in and outside the scheme. “It was evident that the levels of satisfaction were very high amongst residents and there was a good, relaxed atmosphere … residents were comfortable to talk about the service … and most were extremely happy.”
The assessment identified examples of best practice, noting two in particular. The first was Soha’s disaster recovery procedures which provide for staff from across the business (not just the Independent Living team) being available to respond locally to emergencies. Services now had a more localised focus – for example the storing of emergency supplies on site – following the severe storm of February 2022.
A second area of note was the role Soha residents play in influencing services. The resident voice will be key to an updating of service standards to reflect demographic change – for example, Extra Care schemes have become more diverse in the three years since erosh last assessed Soha, with many residents now working – and the demand for services. This overhaul is already underway with consultations taking place in schemes imminently.
For more information about Independent or Retirement living with Soha, please click here or contact us on ilt@soha.co.uk. A new retirement living scheme in Wallingford is due for handover within weeks. Find out more about that here.
Notes to eds:
(1) For more information about erosh, please visit www.erosh.co.uk
(2) The press team at Soha Housing hopes to be helpful in answering media enquiries about Soha or issues around the wider social housing ‘landscape’. You can reach us on 01235 514427 (direct) or press@soha.co.uk