Council to consider strategic review of Adult Social care services

If approved, this review will help the council assess how it can continue to deliver high-quality care in a way that is both sustainable and effective for the future, in line with the council's duties to ensure safety, quality, and value for money.

As part of the process, ten sites - five residential care homes and five day centres - have been identified for detailed scrutiny due to concerns around their condition, safety, and long-term viability.

The residential homes are among the oldest in the council’s estate, with outdated layouts, significant maintenance backlogs, and high running costs, with major capital investment required to remain safe.

The day centres are in poor physical condition and analysis has shown that post-pandemic demand has shifted, with many residents now accessing support through direct payments or flexible, community-based options.

The sites under consideration are:

Residential Care Homes:

• Favordale, Colne
• Grove House, Adlington
• Milbanke, Kirkham
• Thornton House, Thornton Cleveleys
• Woodlands, Clayton-le-Moors

Day Centres:

• Byron View, Colne (attached to Favordale)
• Derby Centre, Ormskirk
• Milbanke Day Centre, Kirkham (attached to Milbanke)
• Teal Close, Thornton Cleveleys (attached to Thornton House)
• Vale View, Lancaster

A report to cabinet asks councillors to approve a review of the Adult Social Care in-house Older People and Disability Provider Services. This review aims to assess the appropriateness and suitability of these services for Lancashire residents.

Helen Coombes, executive director of Adult Services, said: "The council has made clear that it is committed to providing excellent care to the residents of Lancashire.

"We understand that change can be difficult, but if the review goes ahead every step will be handled with compassion, respect, and support for residents and their families.

"We want to consider changes to how care is provided to ensure we’re providing the best possible outcomes for our residents.

"We also understand that this will be an unsettling time for some of our staff. We deeply value the dedication and compassion they bring to their work, and we will be committed to supporting them through this process."

If the review is approved, the council will launch an eight-week public consultation to gather feedback from service users, residents and stakeholders, and a further report to Cabinet will provide an update and overview following the consultation.

The council is committed to ensuring that all consultations are open, transparent, and meaningful, and that all views will be carefully considered before any decisions are made about the future of these services.