Agenda item

Report from the Executive Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet:

1.    Note the feedback from the consultation.

2.    Approve implementation of the proposed final model, as set out in paragraph 3.1.

Consideration was given to the report which summarised the feedback received from the 90-day consultation and proposed a model for the provision of Extra Care Housing in Rotherham. Extra Care Housing (ECH) was recognised nationally for providing people aged 55 years and over with independent, self-contained homes within a community setting, combined with on-site care and support services available 24 hours a day. It aimed to support older adults to sustain their independence and tenancy by offering varying levels of person-centred care and support. Rotherham had two ECH schemes, Bakers Field Court, and Potteries Court, offering 88 tenancies in total.

In April 2026, Cabinet approved a period of consultation on a proposed model for the delivery of care and support to tenants living in Extra Care Housing (ECH) schemes in Rotherham. The focus of the proposal was to ensure Adult Social Care could deliver a quality and sustainable model that met the support needs of tenants living in the Potteries Court and Bakers Field Court ECH schemes.

The preferred option outlined in the last report and subject to consultation, was for the schemes to be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) so that Council-employed staff could meet tenants’ personal care and support needs, focussed on ways to strengthen the existing care and support provision for tenants living in ECH. The preferred option’s intention was to ensure a flexible, person-focussed approach which would improve outcomes for people whilst ensuring value for money and sustainable investment in the Council’s workforce.

A Council-employed team of enablement-focused staff would meet tenants’ Care Act eligible care needs with the provision modelled on the existing enablement approach embedded within Adult Social Care Provider Services. This approach focussed on maximising people’s independence and wellbeing. Existing tenants would retain the right to choose who they received care and support from. Whilst the Council would honour the arrangements existing tenants had in place with independent providers, should tenants choose to retain this, future new tenants would be provided with core hours from the on-site care team, whilst still maintaining choice and control over their care and support for assessed hours that exceeded this. 

The findings from the consultation were consistently positive with 94% of people either supporting or strongly supporting this model. Section 4 of the report provided a detailed overview of the consultation approach and the findings. 

Cabinet Members expressed their support for the proposals, stating that it would result in a better service with better value for money.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:
 

1.    Note the feedback from the consultation.

2.    Approve implementation of the proposed final model, as set out in paragraph 3.1.