New service launched in Essex

The new Short Term Support in the Community contract agreed by Essex County Council in March 2017 has been directly awarded to ECL (Essex Cares Ltd). The contract runs until 2021 and around 7,500 residents are expected to benefit from the service during that time.

The new service will be for adults living in Essex who require a period of intensive support in their own home to stabilise their recovery following a period of ill health, a spell in hospital or change in circumstance at home.

The service will mean an individual’s longer term needs are assessed when their situation has stabilised rather than at the point of crisis.

ECL and Essex County Council will be working in partnership to launch the new service in a phased implementation between July and October.

Cllr John Spence, Cabinet Member for Adults and Public Health, Essex County Council said: “This service will support people across the county, particularly those adults with complex health and social care needs such as advanced dementia or challenging behaviour, who may not have the same potential to regain their independence.”

“The service will ensure their support needs are assessed at the right time and in the right place, in a familiar and comfortable environment like their home and not when they reach a point of crisis.”

Keir Lynch, Chief Executive, ECL said: “We are delighted to be working with ECC to provide this new service. Short Term Support in the Community will benefit and improve the outcome for many people while supporting the demand pressures across the health and social care system.”

“Our team of qualified professionals will provide short term support to adults helping them to recover, stabilise and rebuild their confidence through a wide range of tasks including; personal care, basic health care tasks, equipment and minor adaptions, and medication management. The service will enable the safe discharge of people from hospital as well as preventing hospital admissions in the first place.”