Housing and Care for Older People

Location: Brighton & Hove

Issue: New Extra Care housing scheme

Action: Brief description of the 'new practice/bright idea

The City Council was very pleased to have been awarded £2,300,000 grant by the Department of Health in 2004/5 to develop a new extra-care housing scheme.

The City council has been developing a strategic response to what it recognises as the increasing inappropriateness of residential care in meeting long term care needs of older people. A strategic partnership including Brighton & Hove PCT and various City Councils departments, including Housing Management, Housing Strategy, Supporting People and Adult Social Care have drawn up an extra care housing strategy.

This new extra care development will kick start this new strategic approach and will enable us to develop long term changes to the care of older people in the City.

The City currently has no extra-care housing and the proposed scheme will deliver 32 new homes and 5 intermediate care dwellings alongside improved community facilities for the residents and their neighbours.

The partners who will help the City Council develop this extra care scheme include Hanover Housing Association, Brighton & Hove PCT, Supporting People commissioning body and Southdowns NHS Trust.

We expect that the first residents will move in, in May 2006.

A more independent life-style for older people, and their families
More flexibility of support and care to meet changing needs
Better community facilities for people, particularly older people, living near the new development

Why did this change/development 'work'? Could it be replicated?

The development is still in the planning stage and we will learn about the benefits of this model as the project nears completion and it will inform our own strategic approach to care of older people in the City. We hope that what we learn can also contribute to work by other authorities in developing similar schemes.

Evaluation will take place towards the end of the building phase as new residents move in. Evaluation will be carried out by the University of Kent, Personal Social Services Research Unit funded by the DH.

Organisations Involved: Brighton & Hove City Council, Brighton & Hove PCT, Hanover Housing Association, Southdowns NHS Trust, Supported People, Department of Health

Contact: Karin Divall
Telephone: 01273 293 060
Email: karin.divall@brighton-hove.gov.uk