Report of the Executive Director of Adult Social Services

This slide presentation will inform Elected Members of the developments across Extra Care Housing during the past 7 years, culminating in significant growth in provision by working in partnership with Manchester Housing Providers.

Extra Care is purpose-built accommodation with care for people over 55 years of age and is a key enabler for adult social care in increasing suitable housing options for older people to remain in their chosen community, which, through this provision, avoids the need for people with care and support needs to rely on institutionalised care settings such as residential and nursing care.

The Committee considered the report and presentation of the Executive Director of Adult Social Services that described the developments across Extra Care Housing during the past 7 years, culminating in significant growth in provision by working in partnership with Manchester Housing Providers.

Extra Care is purpose-built accommodation with care for people over 55 years of age and is a key enabler for adult social care in increasing suitable housing options for older people to remain in their chosen community, which, through this provision, avoids the need for people with care and support needs to rely on institutionalised care settings such as residential and nursing care.

The Committee then welcomed Mr Martin Toal and Mr Vic Nuttall, Manchester citizens. They both spoke of the circumstance that had resulted in them moving into their respective homes and of the positive experience of living in Extra Care accommodation.

To accompany this item the Committee also viewed a short video tour of Dahlia Gardens Extra Care scheme, courtesy of Southway Housing.

Key points and themes in the report included:

·         Providing a background to the report, noting that The Housing for an Age-Friendly Manchester Strategy 2014-2020 set out the vision to increase extra care housing by trebling provision; and

·         Describing the benefits and outcomes of Extra Care Housing, including key facts and figures.

Some of the key points that arose from the Committee’s discussions were: -

·         Thanking both Mr Toal and Mr Nuttall for attending the meeting and sharing their experience with the Committee;

·         Recognising the positive impact this model of accommodation had on both residents and their families;

·         Was there enough of this type of accommodation to meet demand in the city;

·         Could private owner occupiers access Extra Care accommodation, and if so communication in relation to this needed to be improved;

·         Future schemes needed to be codesigned with residents with experience of living in Extra Care accommodation;

·         An update was requested in relation to the LGBT Extra Care scheme that was planned for Whalley Range; and

·         More needed to be done to promote Extra Care as a viable option for BAME residents.

The Head of Commissioning (Older People) responded to Members’ questions and comments by advising that the delivery of the schemes over the previous seven years had been achieved by working with Strategic Housing and housing providers in the city. She described that the accommodation delivered was of high quality and supported people to rightsize. She described that since 2014 the number of units in the city had trebled and there was a pipeline of schemes to grow this provision. She described that the maps describing proposed schemes had been developed using data to map where the older populations currently lived, adding that it was important to acknowledge that the schemes were for the city as a whole. 

The Head of Commissioning (Older People) stated that the benefits realised by people living in Extra Care accommodation included decreased levels of depression; loneliness; falls; increased feeling of safety and increased activities. She also advised that this reduced the demand on hospital services. She informed Members that Extra Care was a home for life and they worked with a range of NHS partners to support people to remain living safely in their homes, including Macmillan Cancer Support. She further stated that a further, specific Dementia Extra Care home would be developed in Manchester to provide specific, appropriate support for people so as to avoid them having to move into residential care.

The Head of Commissioning (Older People) informed Members that owner occupiers were eligible and could apply for Extra Care accommodation and acknowledged that there was a need to consider key messaging on this issue to include owner occupiers and members of the BAME community. She advised that there were good examples of where BAME residents had been engaged on this subject as a viable housing option; however, she acknowledged there was an existing perception amongst some residents regarding this model of accommodation, adding that this was a national issue. The Chair commented that existing Sounding Boards could be used to support this activity and promote Extra Care more widely.

The Head of Commissioning (Older People) acknowledged the suggestion regarding the codesign of future schemes to include residents with lived experience. She advised that Occupational Therapists did work with architects during the design stage and stated that the learning from previous schemes would be built upon to inform future schemes.

The Interim Director of Housing & Residential Growth reiterated the previous comments that commended the joint strategic approach in Manchester to deliver the Extra Care schemes and he further paid tribute to all officers involved with this work for their commitment. He described that this work and approach complimented the Manchester Housing Strategy (2022-2032) that would be considered at the July meeting of Executive. He further provided an update on the LGBT Russell Road scheme and stated that the Committee would be kept informed as this scheme developed.

The Executive Member for Healthy Manchester and Adult Social Care stated that the report described a success story for the city and needed to be celebrated. He particularly welcomed the lived experience articulated by the invited residents that had meaningfully contributed to the Committee’s deliberations. 

Decision

To note the report.