Under proposed changes to the service, Southampton City Council wants to provide the majority of respite through a mixed economy model at its Kentish Road and Weston Court sites.
The local authority would operate Kentish Road, which would increase from a four-bed core capacity to six beds, and an external provider would be appointed to run Weston Court.
Alongside this, the council would commission services for adults with more complex needs who require higher staffing levels or staff skilled in undertaking more complex clinical tasks.
Currently, charity Rose Road Association is commissioned to deliver 781 nights a year for adults requiring such services.
The proposals, which are due to be decided upon at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, April 29, would see the council’s use of Rose Road reduced, with some clients transferred to Kentish Road or Weston Court.
At an overview and scrutiny management committee meeting on Thursday, April 24, director of adult social care Rob Henderson said the council was planning a “more measured approach” than what was considered previously.
He said there would be an individual assessment, with engagement with carers, families and the resident.
An officer’s report gave a figure of £83,250 a year to cover additional costs for clients with more complex needs.
Head of commissioning Donna Chapman said this was based on a “desktop assessment” of current fully council funded clients who use Rose Road, with a view that some could be supported at one of the other two sites.
She said subject to cabinet approval, detailed conversations would be had with Rose Road and families.
Any transitions to a different site would need an agreed timeline and close working together, the senior officer said.
However, Rose Road head of finance and central services Kirsty Dennett said the majority of the people included in the council’s initial assessment would not be suitable for a service of one staff member to three clients, as is proposed for Kentish Road and Weston Court.
Ms Dennett said given the needs of these individuals, the council should be budgeting in the region of £200,000 rather than the £83,250 listed in the report.
“Our concerns are will these families be properly listened to and their needs properly assessed because the feedback we certainly received from families was that they do have concerns about this,” Ms Dennett said.
“We want to ensure our service users are fully supported and get the correct care that they need.
“Absolutely, we want to work with the council to ensure the needs are met for these individuals.”
Ms Chapman said this was all part of the discussions that would need to take place.
She added: “That doesn’t mean to say that we wouldn’t be looking potentially to increase some of the staffing at times in Kentish Road in order to meet higher needs but absolutely it would be part of the discussion and the detailed planning that we need to do.”
