The council is reviewing its in-house services for adults, including day services, specialist support for younger adults with disabilities, and its care homes, Obelisk House and Southfields House. The proposals follow a 12-week consultation with service users, families, carers, staff, and partner organisations.
The recommendations seek to concentrate council expertise on residents with the most complex needs, improve independence and enablement services, and ensure efficient use of resources and buildings to meet future demand. Day services are proposed to be reshaped to focus on higher and more complex needs, while strengthening opportunities for independence and community participation.
Specialist support services for younger adults with disabilities provide domiciliary care for those aged 18-65 with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, and mental health needs. Eleanor Lodge, one of the facilities, is noted as not meeting modern standards for supported living due to limited accessibility and reliance on shared facilities, with significant investment needed for upgrades.
A proposal will be considered to close Eleanor Lodge, supporting residents into alternative community-based arrangements that offer greater independence and choice. Southfields House and Obelisk House, both over 40 years old and no longer meeting modern care environment standards, are also subject to a proposal for closure over up to 24 months. Residents will be supported through reassessment and agreement of alternative placements.
“"The demand for adult social care has changed, and shows a continued increase in the need for specialist support. We also have an increasing focus on helping people live more independently through personalised, community-based care. These proposals follow a thorough review of our services and extensive consultation with people who use them, their families, carers and staff. They aim to ensure support continues to meet people’s needs, promotes independence and makes best use of our resources for the future. We recognise these recommendations will be difficult for some people and Cabinet will consider them carefully and sensitively."
