Care homes' closure plans suspended

Plans to close three Black Country care homes have been suspended while council chiefs consider options including privatisation.

The council-run homes in Sandwell will be "outsourced" under new proposals announced following a meeting of ruling councillors held behind closed doors. This is despite Sandwell

Council saying homes were "outdated" and falling below government standards when closure plans were announced in September. Only one home definitely faces closure.

John Dando Residential Centre in Great Barr will be shut but proposals for Grafton Lodge in Oldbury, Greenhaven Resource Centre in West Bromwich and Glebefields Resource Centre in Tipton are "suspended" until the spring.

The council said the new plan to contract services out will minimise disruption to residents and save 140 jobs. The new care provider would be responsible for improvements to the homes.

Councillor Linda Horton, Sandwell's adult social care boss, said: "We have listened carefully to what everyone has had to say in the consultation, which included concerns about moving residents and jobs.

"If we can keep three of the four residential care homes open by working with outside organisations and companies, this would minimise disruption to current residents, maintain specialist services and save in the region of 140 jobs.

"We hope to find outside organisations or companies that can provide the necessary investment for improvements to bring these three homes up to the national standards that will be required in future."

She said is too early to say how the homes would be run under the plan.

"It's too early to say," she said. "We could have an arrangement where another organisation operates the homes, or we might commission the service from an outside organisation."

Council officers will work with the 10 permanent residents of John Dando Residential Centre to find them suitable accommodation, with the home to close as early as February next year.