Shaw homes transfer progresses

Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet agreed yesterday the basis for a partnership with SHAW Homes to take over the running and development of the County’s residential care homes.

The details of the formal contractual arrangement will now be progressed.

SHAW is a non-for-profit independent organisation, with extensive experience in running residential and nursing care homes.

In addition to managing the homes on behalf of the Council, SHAW will provide significant capital investment to refurbish and develop the homes and future services.

As the services in the homes develop, service users and relatives will be consulted and kept informed. Local reference groups for each have been established.

Cllr Olwyn Barnett, Cabinet Member (Social Care & Strategic Housing), said: “This is the most cost effective way of continuing the Council’s commitment to the services provided through its care homes, and contributes to the Council’s ambition of developing services to support older people in their own homes.”

Herefordshire Council’s staff will be transferred under the usual transfer of undertakings that have applied to other Council service transfers.

Sue Fiennes, Director of Social Care & Strategic Housing, said: “The additional services planned by SHAW and the improved standards from refurbishment will make a significant contribution to older people’s services in the future and will build on the skills and good care of the existing staff teams.”