Dundee’s housing convener has been invited to consider his position over a “shocking” new report on the council’s sheltered housing warden service which has been leaked to The Courier.
The scathing Care Inspectorate probe has branded the service’s care and support, staffing and management and leadership as weak, the second lowest grading possible.
It points to a serious deterioration in performance, as a year ago the quality of staffing was found to be adequate and the other categories were graded as good.
SNP housing convener John Alexander vowed then that action would be taken to improve the service but in November it was back under the spotlight when a 67-year-old man was found dead in his supported accommodation in Broughty Ferry.
He was understood to have lain for five days before his body was found, and the delay was blamed on understaffing due to cutbacks.
Labour housing spokesman Brian Gordon said the new report, which is awaiting publication, was a condemnation of the SNP’s stewardship of the service.
“This is a shocking report,” he stated. “A year ago John Alexander pledged they would take action to change things for the better well things are getting worse.
“Clearly the SNP administration can’t get a grip of this situation, which must knock the confidence of the tenants and their relatives who rely on this service. I call on John Alexander to consider his position.”
The Care Inspectorate said they could not comment on the new report, the finalisation of which is still the subject of discussion with the council.
The sheltered housing warden service is for 2,000 tenants aged 60 and over and others with additional needs including dementia, physical and learning disabilities and mental health problems.
The wardens cover 36 complexes across the city with a manager, eight senior wardens and 80 wardens on duty over set hours on weekdays and at specified other times.
Tenants are told about the availability of the service in each complex and are linked to community alarms. Wardens help tenants live independently and make twice daily checks by speaking to them or checking motion detectors.
The 2014 inspection was completed on February 21, and inspector Elma Davidson noted tenants stating that wardens provide a good, person-centered service.
She continued: “We were told that the service has been under review for at least the last two years and this needs to be completed as soon as possible to enable the service to move forward.
“This is causing concern to all staff, particularly those who are on temporary contracts.”
Other concerns related to tenancies being given to non-sheltered tenants (amenity housing), and these decisions “need to be made for the benefit of current tenants and staff”.
The inspectorate have concerns, shared with the Mental Welfare Commission, about the apparent lack of awareness and permission about motion sensors in flats.
There had been a staff shortage resulting in a high level of unfamiliar staff working in various complexes, and she said the service needed a training plan based on needs.