Big changes to home care

Rotherham Council has written to all 1,800 service users about the changes which will see 15 care companies providing the home services, compared to the current nine.

The local authority believes the changes will result in a more flexible service, more responsive to the needs of individual clients and will go beyond personal care provided in the home.

Coun John Doyle, cabinet member for adult social care for Rotherham Council, described the changes as ‘incredibly good news’ but acknowledged the changes could cause concerns.

He said: “The elderly and vulnerable are extremely important to this authority and we are determined to get it right. By contracting more companies, who will work on local, area-based delivery, we believe that service users will receive a much better, broader service that is much more responsive to the needs of the individual.”

The companies have been awarded three year contracts which begin on 1st April.

During the transition period, the council will work with the care provider companies to ensure a smooth transfer of services and special domiciliary care provider branch offices will be set up.

Coun Doyle said: “We want to reassure those who will see a change that we have plans in place for a smooth and continuous transition of care.”

“We have set up special provision for the handover period and our aim is to ensure that those customers who will see a change will be fully informed and will meet their new providers as soon as possible.”

Coun Doyle added that there will be continuous rigorous monitoring of the new provider organisations.