After a report from the Audit Commission and Social Services Inspectorate last year, which criticised the council’s over-use of residential care for old people, the council plans to introduce more “very sheltered” housing and domiciliary care.
Lancashire originally proposed closure of all 48 of its care homes, but now plans to keep 13 under council ownership. The future of the remaining three will be decided upon later.
This latest announcement comes after a group of district councils in Lancashire mounted a legal challenge against the home closures (HT 15 August, page 9).
The council is in talks with New Fylde Housing, Wyre Housing Association, Impact Housing, Methodist Homes, County Palatine Housing Society and the Abbeyfield Society about plans to run 16 of the homes.
A further 16 are earmarked for closure but local RSLs could still bid to run them.
It is expected that the housing associations will provide the buildings and Lancashire County Care Services, the council’s arm’s-length care provider, will provide the service.
Barry Roberts, head of business development at Wyre, said the association was interested in buying the Bowgreave Rise, Worsley House, Thornton House and Queensway Lodge homes.
He said it was too early to say how much they would cost or exactly what type of care they would provide.
Chris Cheatham, cabinet member for social services, said: “Wyre has a proposal for very sheltered housing with a specialist dementia wing.” He added: “We will have facilities for rehabilitation and respite, and we do not see the need for people to move outside the district where they live to receive this kind of service.”
Mike Muir, chief executive of Impact Housing Association, said it was interested in acquiring Moor Platt, The Craggs, Beaumont View, Slyne House, Woodhill House and Dolphinlee House.
The council will give its recommendations at a full council meeting on 26 September.
Source
Housing Today
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