Member Article

Oldham care now provided by two new companies

Oldham Council has set up two companies to deliver the Borough’s Adult Social Care Services.

The council has transferred the responsibility for the services to Oldham Care and Support and Oldham Care and Support at Home.

Both companies are owned entirely by Oldham Council but are independently operating.

They will be operating in-step with Oldham’s co-operative ambitions and any profits from the two companies will be reinvested into services for local people.

As well as working closely with local voluntary organisations and businesses, residents will be key in making sure that the services are attuned to local needs.

The change comes as Oldham Council - like authorities nationally - are adapting to increased demand on services at a time of decreasing budgets.

The first company - Oldham Care and Support - will deliver care services which will be purchased by Oldham Council on behalf of residents.

It will purchase the services for older people, as well as residents with learning disabilities and mental health support needs.

The company will also continue to provide many areas of care and support like the Helpline and Response Service and Blue Badge Scheme, among others.

The second - Oldham Care and Support at Home - will provide services such as home care and help people to live independently, through having access to high quality personal assistants for instance.

Councillor Barbara Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Social Care and Public Health, said: “The creation of these companies mean residents will continue to receive an excellent standard of care in Oldham. They’re well placed to deal with the challenges that we - like all local authorities - are facing from significantly reduced budgets.

“Moreover both companies will be highly responsive to residents’ needs, as indeed residents will actively help shape how services are delivered in the future, in line with Oldham Council’s co-operative approach.

“By changing the way we deliver essential care it will not only help change service users’ lives for the better - it will give peace of mind to their families and friends. We wish both companies the best of luck now and in the future.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .