West Sussex County Council shakes up provision of home care

More than 2,000 West Sussex residents receive home care which is purchased on their behalf by the council – helping them to live independently while still getting help for daily tasks such as washing and dressing.

Currently, services are purchased from more than 70 different home care providers.

However the changes mean the Council will now be contracting 27 providers.

A spokeswoman for the council said: “The aim is to build strong relationships with them which it is hoped will lead to good quality services.

“Among the reasons why the Council decided to tender the service again, were because it has sometimes been difficult to get support to customers across the whole county and to ensure quality by working closely with organisations.”

Peter Catchpole, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, said: “What matters most to us is providing quality care to residents who need these services.

“In a consultation last year customers told us they wanted care workers who are well trained and supported by their employers, and that the home care needs to be flexible according to their needs and wishes.

“We are working with customers and their families to ensure their future home care needs are met and the impact of any changes are kept to a minimum.”

The council said residents affected by the changes have been kept ‘up-to-date with the process’ and will be contacted individually about how the changes will affect them.