What is Extra Care?
In conjunction with partner housing associations, usually
referred to as Registered Social Landlords, Bath and North East
Somerset Council is providing an extra care sheltered housing
service. Extra care sheltered housing could be your key to
independent living with care. It provides older people, who
have some care needs, with an assured tenancy in a self-contained
flat in a purpose-built or adapted scheme.
If you require help with personal care and daily activities and
your present accommodation is not suitable any more, then extra
care sheltered housing might be the answer for you. Extra
care will enable you to have the care and support you need whilst
maintaining a high degree of privacy and security.
A trained care team will be based in the same building to assist
you with personal care and any other tasks you are unable to do
alone. You will have the benefit of your own front door with
the security and support of a safe environment. You will also
benefit from the services of a manager employed by the Registered
Social Landlord who will be on site to deal with any problems you
have with your flat.
Current Registered Social Landlords:
- Somer Community Housing Trust (St John’s Court, Greenacres
Court, Hawthorn Court)
- Knightstone Housing Association (The Orchard)
- Guinness Housing Association Ltd (Avondown House)
Where are the Extra Care Schemes in Bath and North East
Somerset?
Bath:
Midsomer Norton:
Keynsham:
- Hawthorn Court (in partnership with Somer Community Housing
Trust)
Who is eligible for Extra Care in Bath and North East
Somerset?
- You must be resident in Bath and North East Somerset
- Your current housing may no longer be suitable for your
needs
- You must need help with care and domestic tasks
- You must have had an assessment of your needs completed by a
social worker
What would I get?
- A tenancy of a self-contained one or two bedroom flat, some of
which are designed and equipped for people who use a
wheelchair
- A living room with an adjoining high quality kitchen.
Kitchens in some of our extra care schemes are fitted with variable
height worktops.
- A bathroom with a level access shower and toilet or an adapted
bath. There will also be assisted bathing facilities
available within the scheme
- Your own front door and key, enabling you to live as
independently as possible ensuring you can spend as much time as
you wish in peace and privacy
Other design features in the flats include electrical sockets
located at waist height, sinks fitted with lever taps and
thermostat mixer valves that will help prevent accidental
scalding. In some flats you will be able to install a hoist
if necessary to allow ease of movement.
An alarm call system is fitted in each flat and the communal
areas (or you can use a pendant alarm) so you can communicate with
the staff at any time.
Please note that because Bath and North
East Somerset Council have a range of extra care schemes
not all the above facilities will be in each scheme. When you
apply you will be given more details about the scheme that will
suit you best in terms of area and where a vacancy exists. We
can also advise on this.
What other facilities are there?
There are communal lounges and a dining room. You can
choose to have your midday meal in the dining room where the meal
is freshly cooked with a daily choice of menu. Communal areas
and lounges are a focal point for social activities and there is a
busy social calendar in each scheme.
Each scheme has a laundry which you can use yourself or have it
done for you if you cannot manage it.
There is also a guest room should any of your relatives and
friends want to stay and communal gardens which are wheelchair
accessible.
What help will I get in extra care?
The help you receive will be part of your own personal care and
support plan which will be drawn up with you by your social worker,
the care team at the scheme and, if you wish, with your friends and
family. Trained staff will be on duty 24 hours a day to provide
assistance, and domestic help is available once a week.
What do I pay?
As an assured tenant in your own self-contained flat you will be
required to pay your rent and service charges. You will also be
responsible for paying Council Tax and household bills for your own
flat.
Depending on your circumstances you may be eligible to receive
housing benefit to help towards the rent, service and support
charges.
The service charge covers, among other things, the cost of
servicing the fire safety and other alarm systems, and for the
heating and lighting of the communal areas.
You may also be required to make a contribution towards the cost
of meeting your care needs. Advice about finances and costs
will be available to you before you make a decision to move to the
scheme.
How do I apply?
Simply complete the attached application form and send it
to:
Adult Care Duty Team
Bath & North East Somerset Council
Social and Housing Services
PO Box 3343
Bath BA1 2ZH
How do you contact us?
If you are still unsure and would like to talk to someone about
extra care please call the Adult Duty Team on:
01225 396201
