This week, residents of a pioneering Dorset Council scheme for adults in social care – a first of its kind in the United Kingdom – are celebrating one year of living independently.
Dorset Council’s initiative enables adults with learning disabilities, mental health issues or physical impairments, to take their first steps to independent living. Their individual needs are met through temporary, relocatable and adaptable accommodation at Red Oak Court in Wareham.
People who receive social care support from the local area live in custom-made homes, because they have different health requirements. Some people may want to live by themselves and some people need to move on from their current living arrangements. Some residents may have been discharged from hospital and need an appropriate place to stay.
In 2018, a review of housing provision for adults with care needs identified a gap in suitable accommodation with on-site support. Therefore, temporary accommodation was commissioned to address the situation.
What do people think about the scheme a year on?
Shaun, a resident at Red Oak Court, enjoys having his own home.
He says: “I like being on my own and being independent. Living here is a good thing…it’s a good place to live. I cook every day and like having mum and dad over for tea. I do newsletters and stuff like that every month and do events and organising, like football.”
Cllr Laura Miller, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health says:
“Dorset Council’s Building Better Lives’ supported-living scheme is enriching the lives of adults with social care requirements in Purbeck, by providing modern, fit-for-purpose and state-of-the-art accommodation.
“Temporary accommodation works well for our residents. It allows people to build their confidence and independence before moving into longer-term independent housing.
“Our aim is to build on the strengths of people we support, focusing on what is important to them and what they can do, rather than what they can’t do.
“I’m so proud of our workforce and also the families of individuals who have supported the successful transition for people with care requirements to live independently.”
There are 4035 adults with a social care package of support in Dorset Council. Around 24 per cent (953 adults) have a learning disability. The council supports 392 people with a learning disability to live in a Supported Living setting.
Rachael Howes, Area Practice Manager for Learning Disabilities at Dorset Council says:
“It has been wonderful to see our residents thrive in their new homes. They are very happy and enjoying having freedom and their own space. Many of them have made new friends with their neighbours.
“Since the residents settled into their new way of life, the level of support required from our social workers has reduced. This is great for them and also for the wider community, as the team can now support more people in the Purbeck area.”
Red Oak Court
In 2019, the council’s Building Better Lives team commissioned 17 modular, moveable, self-contained apartments and bungalows. There is also an office and overnight facilities for an on-site care provider. The units were built in a factory and craned on to the site for further work to be carried out in Spring 2020.
The steel framed units which are timber clad, have a lifespan of a minimum of 30 years. They will be craned off-site once permanent homes are built next to the complex. The scheme is part of the Purbeck Gateway development – the council’s longer term vision to address housing needs in the area.
Red Oak Court is managed by East Boro Housing Trust (EBHT) and on-site support is provided by Community-Integrated-Care (C-I-C).
The Local Government Association’s One Public Estate awarded the programme an £86,000 grant in 2019. This contributed to the overall £2.2M cost of the build.
Find more information on Relocatable Housing and supported living in the Dorset Council area.
exelent progress i hope moree can be done in the near future
Thank you Terry, that’s lovely of you to say so.
This seems to be a great idea. I am wondering if such a site could be created for the Weymouth and Portland area. I have clients who would love this but they do not want to move from Portland.
A real success story. Well done to all concerned.