Agenda item

The Committee will receive an update report on Dreywood Court Extra Care Scheme.

The Committee received a report updating it on the progress of Dreywood Court, the new high quality extra care housing scheme.  The scheme comprised ninety eight flats, twenty for shared ownership and seventy eight for rent.  These were approximately split 50/50 between 1 and 2 bed flats.  Havering already had two extra care housing scheme, where care and support is commissioned by Adult Social Care.  These were Paines Brook Court in Harold Hill and St Ethelburga Court in Harold Wood.  Whilst the scheme provided extra care housing, Dreywood Court also provided a shared ownership scheme.

The scheme opened and was handed over to the Council in July 2013. However East Thames Group, who built the scheme, was still the registered landlord responsible for developing the scheme in partnership with the Council.  It also fulfils a number of other on-going supports, including tenancy agreements and housing management.  Once all the allocations are made, they would work closely with the care and support provider, to ensure the scheme remained a vibrant and inclusive community.

Sanctuary Home Care (Ltd) was awarded the contract for the personalised care and support service for the residents of Dreywood Court.  Sanctuary Home Care established their office at the scheme in advance of the first residents moving in and began assessing applicants for Dreywood Court from April 2013.  Sanctuary Home Care had a presence since the day the scheme opened.  The whole scheme is fully accessible and there were 8 adapted flats for wheelchair users. 

The scheme had its own allocation panel, which assessed all applications.  There was 100% allocation for the socially rented flats and 15 of the 20 shared ownership flats had deposits put down on them.  An assurance was given that all allocations were from Havering residents who had resided in the borough for at least 2 years.  The criteria for extra care housing was for people aged 55 and over, who required some care and support but who wished to retain the independence of living in their own home rather than having to move into a residential care home.  Six people had transferred from Newstead House, the Learning Disability Home which was no longer fit for purpose.  It was felt that even though these residents were under 55, there were exceptional circumstances, which the scheme could support.

To ensure the moving experience was not a barrier to the most vulnerable and elderly, Age Concern Havering were commissioned to support people to move. The level of support required had been tailored to people’s circumstances. The support programme was well underway and regular updates were showing the value of the support given.

In addition a protocol had been developed with the Benefits Service.  Each time an applicant moved into the scheme the volunteers completed the housing benefit forms and verification document which were collected daily from the scheme. This ensured a smooth transition and reduced the burden of unnecessary delays or rent arrears.

The scheme had lots of circulation and social inclusion areas.  There would be a restaurant, a hairdresser, and a small library being established.  A craft group had already started and it was hope that other small groups could also establish once further residents had moved in.

The Committee noted the update and agreed that they would wish to visit the site again now that it was completed.