Housing
Derbyshire First Contact
A High Peak and Derbyshire Dales Pilot Signposting Scheme helping people to stay safe and independent
How does First Contact work?
First Contact is a single gateway signposting service. It is an easy way for people to get the help they need through one contact with an agency or organisation:
- A quick and simple checklist is completed on behalf of a client to identify a range of individual needs.
- The Checklist is sent to a central point of contact (Call Derbyshire).
- Referrals are then automatically sent to the relevant agency.
- The client will be contacted to see what services can be offered.
Why are clients using First Contact?
One of the fundamental aims of the First Contact Scheme is to improve people’s quality of life and wellbeing. When we complete
the checklist, we are asking people why they have agreed to be signposted via the First Contact Scheme.
When we look back to measure the effectiveness of the scheme. We want to be able to compare people's expectations at the beginning of the process, and then to ask them—via a telephone survey, whether or not we met their needs.
What type of services can be accessed through First Contact?
- Home fire safety checks – fitting of free smoke detectors and giving advice and information on fire safety;
- Home security or crime reduction advice and assistance, including door and window locks and door bars, spy holes, etc;
- Housing advice, repairs and adaptations;
- Information on local community transport schemes;
- Energy Efficiency Advice;
- Information on local groups and activities;
- Advice on benefits or welfare benefits advice and forms completed;
- Falls assessments and advice on falls prevention;
- Support for daily living activities and social care services where people meet local eligibility criteria.
Where do I get the First Contact checklist forms from?
- Personnel in the pilot area should ensure they have First Contact forms and leaflets available, when visiting potentially vulnerable people.
- An initial number of paper copies of the forms have been sent to agencies, which have attended an awareness raising session, or had a presentation, these include:
- Adult Social Services (High Peak and Derbyshire Dales, South Dales),
- Age Concern Derby and Derbyshire,
- Derbyshire Constabulary,
- Derbyshire Dales District Council,
- Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service,
- High Peak Borough Council,
- High Peak Community Housing,
- Carelink,
- The Pension Service,
- Welfare Rights,
- Primary Care Trust (District Nurses).
- Further copies of the form can be sent electronically to individuals on request - for either electronic or paper copies, please contact scheme coordinator Cathy Ayrton by email CAyrton@derbys-fire.gov.uk or phone 07879 434662.
- For more details, download the newsletter here
