Extra Care Housing Allocations Policy Consultation

Overview

Extra care housing is specialist housing provision designed for older people that combines accommodation with care and support services to offer safe, private and secure accommodation whilst allowing service users to retain their independence of having their own home.

Sefton has a population that is living longer, and people tell us that a preference is to be able to remain in their own home, with the ability to access care and support if needed at some stage.

For those who already have support needs, or whose health is declining and indicates that they may need more help in the coming years, extra care housing offers the option to meet these needs.

We are aiming to develop 1300 units by 2036, which equates approximately fifteen schemes across Sefton.

We are developing an Extra Care Allocations Policy:-

The allocations policy will set out a clear pathway that is open and transparent and available to Sefton residents. It will ensure those in need are prioritised fairly and objectively.

The aim of the policy is to promote independence and well-being, making a balanced, vibrant, and sustainable community for residents with care and support needs which will play a key role in preventing and avoiding admissions to residential care homes and hospital settings.

The Extra Care Allocations Policy provides the criteria by which people applying for accommodation in Extra Care Housing in Sefton are assessed. And, if eligible the process and system for allocating appropriate available accommodation.

This allocations policy will require further work following our consultation before the presentation of the final version to Cabinet. Cabinet is a group of Sefton Councillors who take most of the final decisions about what the Council does, it is made up of the council leader and nine other members.

Consultation with key stakeholders is vital to ensure that the policy is robust, fair and helps meet housing needs with the Borough.

Key Messages:

This is Sefton’s first Extra Care Allocations Policy.

To be eligible for Extra Care Housing in Sefton you must meet the three criteria stipulated in the policy which are: 

• Local Connection, 
• Age,
• Care or support need,

If you are nominated by Adult Social Care for a placement within Extra Care Housing, you will have an assessment regarding your finances.   This will be completed by the housing provider to determine if you are eligible based on your financial situation

Why your views matter

Engagement and consultation are very important in Sefton.

It’s vital to the council and our partners that we understand the views of residents and use that information to develop services, products and communications that work for them.

We want to make sure that we support people and our communities to get involved in the public services they receive.

You can also read the more detail in the Extra Care Allocation Policy at the bottom of this page or search for ‘Extra Care Housing’ on Sefton Council’s website.

What happens next

We want to make sure what people need are met now and in the future within the policy.

Your feedback is important to us and will form part of a report that will go to Cabinet in the Summer of 2023 for final approval.