Advice service 'needs improving'

The service helps vulnerable people find housing

A programme that helps vulnerable people in Lincolnshire needs to be improved, says a report.

The Audit Commission said the Supporting People programme needed to work better with its partners in providing housing advice to disabled, unemployed and elderly people.

Lincolnshire County Council says improvements are already being made.

Programme spokesman Jonathon Cope said: "This is a wake-up call for the members of the partnership to work together."

Mr Cope said the programme provided funding so people can get benefits and remain independent.

"It is not the services that are being criticised, but the governance of the programme and how the partnership works," he said.

"The report is clear that the services are of good quality and says the services have expanded and improved," he said.

The commission also said the programme had "uncertain prospects for improvement" and did not offer value for money.

Lincolnshire County Council has been advised to draw up a five-year plan to improve organisation.