News
Verified developments across regulation, commissioning, funding and provider strategy in learning disability services.
National Care Group is nearing completion of a specialist residential service in Brixham for up to six people with Prader-Willi Syndrome, described as the South West’s first dedicated provision and expected to create at least 15 social-care roles.
Oxfordshire County Council has named Higher Height Care Ltd as its preferred bidder for an adult short-break service supporting adults with learning disabilities, with a stated contract value of £9,591,040 excluding VAT and an earliest signing date of 17 September 2026.
Essex County Council has selected Avenues Group to support three adults with learning disabilities at a supported-living service in Saffron Walden, with existing staff transferring to Avenues to maintain continuity of care.
Nottinghamshire County Council has confirmed completed framework agreements with AOC Homecare, Collens Healthcare, NCHA, Real Life Options, United Response and Voyage for care, support and enablement services across supported living and community networks.
CQC says it has completed more than 9,000 assessments and is rolling out named portfolio holders across adult social care after testing the approach with about 1,500 services across 495 providers. The model is intended to improve continuity, communication and the regulator's use of service intelligence.
The government has launched a national conversation on social care and brought the Casey Commission's National Care Service plan forward from 2028 to summer 2027. The programme also prioritises workforce reform, sustainable funding and closer integration between health, community and social care.
The Hoplands has secured £16.6 million from Homes England and two Lincolnshire councils for 52 specialist homes, including 12 supported-living apartments for working-age adults. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2027, with residents due to move in from autumn 2028.
A new Adult Social Care Negotiating Body will represent employers and workers in negotiations on pay, conditions and wider employment matters. The first agreement is backed by £500 million for 2028 to 2029, with negotiations scheduled to begin in April 2027 and the first settlement due by April 2028.
Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council has awarded Turning Point a five-year contract to operate a specialist supported-living service for autistic adults at Dillington Mews. The £3.23 million contract starts on 1 October 2026 and includes an option to extend for a further two years.
The 2024 LeDeR report says more than half of adults with learning disabilities in England die before 65 and, on average, 19 years earlier than the general population. Avoidable deaths fell from 46% in 2021 to 39% in 2024, while the government confirmed this is the final LeDeR publication in its current format before future data is integrated with wider health outcomes.
