Council bosses are to be updated on plans to create an extra 2480 care places across Norfolk as part of a long-term strategy to transform residential care to meet the needs and aspirations of older people by 2020.

Members of Norfolk County Council's Adult Social Services Overview and Scrutiny Panel will be told next Tuesday that detailed proposals for a full public consultation will be presented in February 2010. The consultation will focus on the future use of County Council residential care homes in Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council areas.

Although these proposals will be developed in West Norfolk first, the Council plans to roll out the approach to other areas of the Council and take any individual opportunities to bring forward change with willing partners.

The number of people aged 85 and over in Norfolk is projected to increase by 54% by 2020 which is why Norfolk County Council has created a long-term strategy to provide enough care places for the future growing population.


And although the quality of care offered in all Norfolk County Council's care homes is rated as either 'excellent' or 'good' by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), the current standard of accommodation no longer meets older people's expectations.

Councillor David Harwood, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services, said: “Norfolk is facing a massive increase in demand for different types of residential care, with the greatest need being identified in the West of the County compared to the number of older people living in that district.

“We will be carrying out a full consultation with residents, relatives, staff, unions and other stakeholders once the plans have been further developed - to ensure that everyone has the chance to contribute to the future of West Norfolk's care homes.

“Our goal is to provide older people in Norfolk with a choice of accommodation that promotes self control over their lives, as well as their physical and mental well-being. We have to act now to increase provision and increase the standard of accommodation available.”

'More Choices Better Choices', a public consultation carried out in Norfolk last year, showed a growing demand for Housing with Care facilities in the county, as opposed to traditional residential care homes. Housing with Care schemes give older people the independence of their own home in a safe environment and with the knowledge that their care needs are supported day and night.

A feasibility study carried out by NPS Property Consultants showed that while most of the County Council's residential homes for older people could be refurbished - at a cost of £60 million - to give ensuite facilities, this would lead to either a reduction in the numbers of care places, or the creation of rooms or bathrooms which are not accessible to wheelchair users.

Over the last 10 years, Norfolk County Council has successfully reprovided 12 residential care homes with housing with care, using a combination of capital raised from the sale of land and capital provided by partner Housing Associations usually from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). Members of the panel are to be told that this is likely to be the proposed model for the funding of changes to the four homes in West Norfolk.

Councillors will also be receiving reports about the County Council's community meals and an update on CareForce services in Norwich.

Norfolk County Council's Adult Social Services Overview and Scrutiny Panel meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 8 at 10am in the Edwards Room, County Hall.