North Yorkshire County Council secures key partnerships for Extra Care expansion

North Yorkshire County Council has made major developments in its plans to provide purpose-built, state-of-the-art accommodation for people with health and social care needs.

The County Council has completed a six-month procurement process and appointed six organisations to work in partnership on its multi-million pound project to bring Extra Care accommodation to every major town in North Yorkshire.

The Extra Care Housing Framework includes organisations that will design, fund, build, manage and operate the schemes, which will be commissioned by the County Council.

The six organisations that have been successful in their tenders to be part of the framework are Ashley House; Galliford Try Partnerships North; Housing and Care 21; Keepmoat Regeneration Limited; Places for People; and Your Housing Group.

Final contracts will be in place with each of these organisations by the end of September, at which time the County Council will start to use the framework to seek new Extra Care opportunities.

The framework organisations will be able to bid to take the lead in developing Extra Care schemes that meet requirements set out by the County Council.

County Councillor Clare Wood, executive member for health and adult services, said: “Extra Care in North Yorkshire has won widespread acclaim for the way in which it allows people to live independent, happy and supported lives.

“We want to put Extra Care at the heart of our communities for the current and future generations. With the Extra Care Housing Framework in place, we are able to push forward with this ambition.

“By 2020, we will have seen the provision of well-designed and well-supported apartments and bungalows right across North Yorkshire, making it possible for people to have the care and support they need in places where they want to live.”

Extra Care allows people to live in their own homes, but with care and support, according to need, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Extra Care also provides communal facilities such as a lounge, restaurant, hair and beauty room, guest suite and assisted bathing room.

These schemes may also incorporate facilities such as a GP surgery, library, a short break respite service and accommodation for people living with dementia or other complex needs.

Currently, there are 19 Extra Care schemes across North Yorkshire with more already under development. The expansion of Extra Care is part of the County Council’s Care and Support Where I Live strategy, which underpins its plans for care and support to 2020 and beyond.