The First Contact Scheme is an interactive system that allows client facing practitioners to make multi-agency referrals through a single recognised process.
This is an innovative scheme providing a holistic service to people working with vulnerable adults; enabling them to access advice, information and support through one single contact and to provide an integrated and seamless service.
The scheme has been funded by Rutland County Council until the end of March 2011 and is administered by Rutland Community Spirit.
First Contact Rutland Partners
- Leics & Rutland Fire & Rescue Service
- Police
- Rutland Adult Social Services
- PCT Falls Programme
- CAB
- Age Concern
- Rutland Home Improvement Agency
- Energy Savings Trust
- CLASP - the carers project
- Voluntary Action Rutland Car Scheme
- Trading Standards
- Harborough Lifeline
- Spire Homes (wardens and housing officers)
The aim of the project is:
• To enable vulnerable people living in Rutland to access low level preventative services to help them remain safe and independent in their own homes.
• To improve access to advice information and services.
• To provide a streamlined service whereby talking to just one person, a vulnerable person can access services which they may not have been aware of or did not know how to contact.
• To reach across different communities including rural areas to provide an equality of service to all.
• To reduce the risk of accidents within the home.
• To facilitate partnership working within the statutory and voluntary sector and to avoid duplication of services, time and effort.
As project administrators, Rutland Community Spirit Champions are available to support clients through the referral process if necessary. Equally, if an organisation who is not part of the scheme wishes to access the services of First Contact, the Rutland Community Spirit team can generate referrals on their behalf. Work in this area is already underway with Rutland's primary housing provider SPIRE Homes. It is anticipated that this facility is extended to GPs and community nurses.
For further information on Rutland First Contact, the Community Spirit team can be contacted on 01572 720282.