Councillor Gulam Kibria Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, introduced Ben Gladstone, Interim Deputy Director for Aging Well, who gave an overview of the proposal and the Adult Social Care (ASC) strategy, designed to support residents to stay in their own homes, or provide specialist housing with care facilities if required.

Mr Gladstone informed the sub-committee that the borough population is predicted to increase in the next 10 years. Current figures show 15% in 2033 rising to around 54% by 2033,  which is over the national average, adding more pressure to ASC services. The Social Care Institute of Excellence has recommended an increase in the current capacity of 214 flats with 240 housing with care facilities. Due to a lack of housing provision, high land prices and space in the borough, approximately half the residents requiring residential care or care home must be relocated outside the borough, often times against their wishes.

Details of current provision includes around 2000 people supported with home care, 9 supported living facilities for residents with learning disabilities,14 mental health facilities,six older adult focused care homes and two nursing homes.

Findings from the strategy include a need for more nursing care home beds for patients with complex needs and more supported living provision for those with learning disabilities or mental health concerns. Members were told that an expression of interest will be made for the ‘Accelerated Reform Fund’ from the Department of Health and Social Care next month. This is to grow the ‘Shared Lives’ scheme to support adults with learning disabilities by matching them with an approved carer.

Details of the housing, tenure and types of support were given, and Members were informed that extra care housing is the preferred method rather than residential care, as residents are tenants with housing rights as opposed to occupancy agreements.

The proposed units will have a dementia and disability-friendly scheme and will provide culturally specific homes, such as the Somali Gardens scheme, which is cantered on ethnic minority. The proposal  also includes more structured partnerships with housing providers to ensure the housing needs for the next 10 years are addressed. Currently, six of the borough's care homes are privately owned, which makes it difficult to control the quality and cost.

Mr Gladstone noted that an annual delivery plan will run alongside the strategy, a delivery group has been formed to focus on feasible locations for specialist housing development,  and discussions with NEL commissioning to share intelligence are ongoing. The strategy will request Cabinet implement the annual delivery plan in conjunction with the capital projects priorities.

Further to  questions from the sub-committee, Ben Gladstone;

·       Clarified that the aim is to support residents who have complex care needs within the proposed care facilities, so they do not have to move into a nursing home. This will increase the range of options for older people in the borough and decrease the rate of residents having to move out of Tower Hamlets.

RESOLVED that;

1.    The presentation be noted.