In April 2003 the Lantern Community de-registered as a provider of residential care, and became a provider of support to people in their own home. This change has seen a fundamental shift of social care on a national basis, provided under the Governments initiative called "Supporting People". The funding is allocated by grant to each local authority, and on a contractual basis to the provider from their home authority. The basis of change has been focused on providing support to a wide range of groups of vulnerable people, in order that they achieve and maintain greater independence, and they are enabled to remain in their own home. Through this process the Companions, as residents in the Lantern Community, are now enabled to

  • Be recognised as citizens with full rights
  • Have a Tenancy Agreement with the Sheiling Trust for the room that they occupy: i.e. their own home
  • Claim a range of benefits according to need
  • Choose who supports them in defined areas of their lives
  • Access support to administer their own finances

For further information see Companion Admission and Administration.
The Supporting People initiative is still very much in its early stages of development and "forming", and future changes will take place. It is important, particularly for prospective residents of the Lantern Community, that there is an understanding of this new initiative, and is implications. We are happy to support people in this process if guidance is needed.