People who use day services in Ryedale will continue to receive the very best possible care delivered at dedicated local hubs while benefiting from a more flexible and personalised approach to support, helping to create sustainable services.
Members of our executive have today (Tuesday, 4 August) approved plans to bring a new approach to day services in Ryedale and pledged to make sure that sustainable services continue to support people to reach their personal outcomes.
The decision to move away from the support which is offered at the Cauwood Day Service in the town will mean that care is tailored to the eight adults who currently use the facility.
Our approach to care is aimed at ensuring that support is provided in a more flexible way, utilising the assets in the local community as well as two local hubs.
The decision by the executive to close the Cauwood building in Malton will allow new detailed care packages to be developed for the adults who currently use the facility.
Our executive member for health and adult Services, Councillor Michael Harrison, said: “Our priority is ensuring that everyone who currently relies on the service continues to receive the support they need.
“We know how important Cauwood has been to the people who attend, as well as their families and carers. The relationships built there and the opportunities it provides are highly valued.
“As we move forward, we will work closely with each individual and their family to ensure the right support is in place.
“The focus is on helping people access services and opportunities that meet their needs in the community while continuing to provide the care and support that they need."
A report to today’s meeting of the executive highlighted how demand for the centre’s services has fallen significantly in recent years and the support that is being provided is not sustainable in the long-term.
To remain open, the building which the day service is based in would also need significant investment totalling more than £300,000 within the next two years to maintain safe standards.
The decision paves the way for a more flexible model of support, including the creation of a community-based service with two local hubs in the Ryedale area and personalised arrangements tailored to individual needs.
The council has said that changes will be introduced in a planned and phased way, with personalised arrangements put in place wherever required.
The decision follows an extensive consultation process which included direct engagement with people who use the service, family members, carers, staff and the wider community.
More than 140 responses were received during a six-week public consultation, while staff were offered dedicated drop-in sessions with the offer of follow-up one-to-one discussions where requested.
Every effort will now be made to retain Cauwood Day Service’s staff wherever possible. The day service’s team is currently made up of 12 employees and two staff on temporary contracts.
The current site is set to be secured and plans are being considered for it to be potentially used for an Extra Care facility, creating a valuable community asset while helping to meet local housing and care needs.
There is well-documented and clearly evidenced demand for Extra Care housing in Malton, and a number of sites have been identified as suitable for a scheme through detailed work with our property services and potential providers.
The county is seen as a leading light nationally in providing support for people with a wide range of care, support and housing needs through the council’s Extra Care programme.
Extra Care schemes offer both purpose-built housing as well as on-site care workers available around the clock, and some developments also host facilities such as a library, a shop or a café.
Repurposing the site in this way could deliver a significant community benefit, helping more local people to live independently for longer while remaining connected to their community and close to family and support networks.
Councillor Harrison added: “Our focus at the moment is on ensuring everyone continues to receive the care they need, with personalised arrangements put in place before any changes take effect.
“We will work closely with each individual and their family throughout the transition to make sure support remains appropriate, consistent and centred on their needs.”