Caring for someone with Dementia - Care Home Workforce Survey

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Caring for someone with Dementia - Care Home Workforce Survey

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Market Context

Extra Care schemes are for people with eligible assessed care needs who would benefit from a home environment with 24-hour on site care and support that enables their continued independence. This means living in a safe property, with self-contained apartments in a well-maintained scheme in the heart of the community, that is purpose built and tailored to the needs of residents.

There are two components to the on site care and support provided within Extra Care Schemes:

  • The provision of planned care for residents who wish to receive their personal care package through the on site care and support provider; and
  • The delivery of a ‘Peace of Mind’ service. This provides a 24/7 presence to respond to any unplanned care needs/emergencies. This service is available to all residents.

ECC have contracts with the on site providers for personal care. Residents can request an alternative provider if they wish. The on site provider is responsible to provide the Peace of Mind service for all residents.

Market Rating

The quality of the care in the extra care schemes is good. The market supply is moderate. Essex County Councils ambition is to increase the number of extra care schemes, therefore the Market maturity is evolving. The demand for extra care is currently stable.

Market Quality Market Supply ECC Demand
Good Low/Moderate Low/Stable
Market Quality = Good Market Supply = Low/Moderate ECC Demand = Low/Stable
ECC Ambition Market Workforce Market Maturity
Increase Supply Low Evolving
ECC Ambition = Increase Supply Market Workforce = Low Market Maturity = Evolving

ECC rating of the market, assessed 01 October 2022

The Council currently has contracts with the onsite care and support providers at 14 extra care schemes across Essex at which placements are made by Adult Social Care. This is made up of 10 different landlords and 8 different care providers.

Extra care schemes are for adults who want to live in their own home with the peace of mind of onsite care and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, if they need it. It means living in a safe property, with self-contained apartments in a well-maintained scheme in the heart of the community that is purpose built and tailored to the needs of the residents.

Extra care schemes are a relatively small but important part of a wider accommodation pathway of care, support and housing solutions, enabling people to live as independently as possible, playing full and active roles in their local communities.

Essex ASC Market (ECC Funded)
Spend £4 Million
No. Schemes - Contracted 13
No. Schemes -Spot 2
No. Units - Contracted 520
No. Units - Spot 90
No. Units with ECC Nomination Rights 610
% Care Providers CQC rated Good or Outstanding 83%
No. Adults supported 292
Average Contracted Rate per hour £17.09
Average Spot Rate per hour £19.05
Average Length of Stay (Years) TBC

The information shown in the table(s) above is correct as of 31.July 2022

A 5-year programme was agreed in 2018 to bring forward 11 new Independent Living Extra Care schemes providing 530 units of specialist accommodation with ECC nomination rights, 712 new apartments in total. One new scheme opened in 2020 and one in 2022.

A review of the Independent Living extra care programme is currently in progress. The aim of the review is to ensure a successful ambitious extra care programme both in terms of the development of new schemes and making best use of existing schemes.

The current COVID impact highlighted is:

  • There is no specific evidence to show that extra care placements have been impacted like our residential market. There have been a few outbreaks reported in extra care schemes.
  • The number of referrals into schemes had reduced at the height of the pandemic but is now increasing again.
  • Extra care apartments can be isolated and therefore are an attractive option for the provision of care and infection control.

Current market risks:

  • There are a number of risks associated with the development of the pipeline of 9 new schemes. These include; securing planning permission, viability for development and capacity of registered providers to develop. We are also yet to identify suitable sites in Basildon and Castle Point.
  • Increased void levels - increase the financial risks for registered providers.
  • Increase in the cost of care due to increases in minimum wage and cost of living.

Our current area of focus is:

  • Completion of the Independent Living extra care review and implementation of the recommendations.
  • Completion of cost of care review for extra care
  • Maximising ASC referrals into units with ECC nomination rights
  • Promotion of schemes as community assets and a reinvigoration of social activities within schemes
  • Exploration into the use of extra care flats for short term step-down placements.
Last updated: 14/10/2022
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