Providers recently alerted NDS to concerns about Collaboration Agreements, which we then presented to DFFH based on consultation with over 60 providers.

These concerns relate to clauses within the Agreements and DFFH has committed to working with individual providers to respond and update the agreement where practicable.

In doing so, the Department has also indicated that it will:

• Prepare an updated version of the Collaboration Agreement, adopting agreed changes which are considered to have general applicability;
• Offer the updated version to all SIL providers, including providers who have already signed the original version and not requested any changes - this is to ensure all providers benefit equally from any improvements; and
• Contact any provider that has already signed a Collaboration Agreement to discuss how they would like to proceed until the new version is available.

NDS is aware that concerns with the Collaboration Agreements sit alongside broader concerns relating to the regulation of disability housing. These include potential blurring of SDA and SIL responsibilities, issues with the current tenancy lease options open to residents of disability accommodation, and implications for SIL providers of the related gazettal of some disability houses under the Disability Act. NDS is continuing to advocate on behalf of the sector regarding these issues.