Option 2: The Council designs and constructs a new home at the Sandye Place Academy site and arranges alternative accommodation for existing people living at Allison House. The Council would then close the home.
What would this mean in practice?
We make a decision about the future of Allison House.
Undertake a procurement process to deliver the design and construction of a new care home on the Sandye Place Academy Site.
Ensure that prospective new people at Allison House are informed about the plans for its future and how they would be affected.
Finalise arrangements for new home.
Design and construction of new home.
It is anticipated that Care is Central, the council owned care company, would operate the new home.
Engage with people who reside at Allison House and their representatives to gain an understanding of their needs and preferences.
Undertake assessments as necessary for each person residing at Allison House
Provide people who reside at Allison House with a choice of alternative accommodation that meets their needs and preferences and are within a reasonable distance. The home(s) suggested would offer good quality care, modern physical and environmental standards and fee rates that are in line with the Council’s fee structure or the host Local Authority rates.
Stop new admissions to Allison House.
Prepare for relocation, including logistical arrangements and having care staff from the new home come to meet people who reside at Allison House and learn their routines, likes and dislikes.
Manage the moves to alternative accommodation, following accepted best practice.
Undertake staff consultation and determine the outcome for the individuals concerned.
Formally close Allison House.
Cost
Building a new 70 bed care home would cost in the region of £18.5m.
Revenue costs would not be confirmed until the people who currently reside at Allison House have chosen where they would like to move to. However, people would be resettled to homes where the fee rates are in line with the Council’s fee structure. The framework rate applying at the time of move to the new home, at the former Sandye Place Academy site, would be charged to people living at Allison House choosing to move there.
Running costs for a modern home built to low energy standards would significantly reduce fuel costs whilst also reducing routine and cyclical maintenance costs compared to Allison House.
Approximate timescales
Write a Business Case and Executive Report requesting approval from the Council to invest in constructing a new home at the former Sandye Place Academy site.
- Tender design and build contract – 6 months
- Design of new home & planning permission – 12 months
- Construction of new home – 12 to 18 months
- Undertake assessments and discuss options with people who reside at Allison House and their representatives – 6 weeks
- Make choices about a future home, prepare for relocation and make moves at appropriate times – up to 4 months
- Staff consultation period – 3 months
- Formal closure of Allison House – 2 months
Assumptions
We are able to secure sufficient places in new homes to meet the needs of the people living at Allison House.
Advantages
We have established a care company which would be expected to operate the new home, with an ability to compete equitably and sustainably in the sector, an opportunity not currently available to us.
Existing and future residents would live in a home that meets modern standards.
Some people who live at Allison House could use this opportunity to move to a home that is nearer to family and friends.
The approach is fair and open to the care home market, as all homes that meet modern standards and deliver good care would be considered as relocation options for people that live at Allison House.
We would no longer have to invest significant funds to maintain and repair an old building that does not meet modern standards.
We would have a surplus site which could be disposed of or given an alternative use.
Disadvantages
The health and wellbeing of people living at Allison House may be negatively impacted by the disruption of a move and, in mitigation, active measures would be taken to minimise these risks. We have experience and developed best practice to help people who live in residential care homes prepare for any move and familiarise themselves with their new home and care staff (for example, using photos, visits and short videos). We would also follow best practice in a thorough handover process with the new home. Best practice has been gained throughout four previous home closures.
Friends and relatives of a small number of people may have to travel further to the new home
Whilst it is not possible to be specific about the impact for the staff of Allison House, if this option is pursued, legal advice has established that TUPE regulations (Transfer of Undertakings, Protection of Employment) would not apply. Staff would be actively supported to apply for roles with Care is Central, the expected operator.
Initial assessment
Relocating existing people living at Allison House to care homes that meet people’s expectations in respect of physical and environmental standards is considered to be a favourable option as it allows existing and future residents to live in good quality accommodation and continue to receive good quality care. By following and applying best practice, we would seek to minimise the risks of the disruption caused by moving people, and for some, this could prove to be a positive experience.