The council will soon be considering relocating its reablement service from a south Reading care home to Charles Clore Court.

A report going before the council's policy committee next Monday (January 14), seeks approval to move Reading's Discharge to Access (D2A) service and to temporarily close the Willows site.

The current location of the service at The Willows Care Home is no longer suitable to sustain the service going forward or to deliver the council's future aspirations to better promote recovery and independence.

Charles Clore Court, an extra care housing scheme in Southcote, can deliver a service which is consistent with best practice in bed-based reablement. Extra care schemes are designed to help older residents retain as much independence and control of their lives as possible.

The proposal follows a 30 day public consultation launched in September 2018, with council officers working closely with people and organisations affected by the changes.

In response to consultation feedback, which was generally supportive of the move and the proposed improvements to the service, officers have made some minor adjustments. These include a proposed increase in staffing levels at the new location.

There are also plans to provide additional training to staff at the new location, as well as a phased three month period to support a safe transition and to ensure minimal staff disruption.

Cllr Tony Jones, Reading's lead member for Adult Social Care, said: "I'd like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation to help us shape the best way forward for this service.

"We fully appreciate any change can be daunting for those affected and we have worked closely with all those involved.

"We listened to feedback and have enhanced the proposals regarding staffing levels, as well as providing the opportunity to give additional skills and training to staff and by a phased transition period for the move."

The future use of the Willows building will be subject to further consultation. This review is part of a wider review across Reading Council’s Adult Social Care services in order to ensure that services are sustainable and able to meet the need of Reading’s communities now and in the future.

The detailed policy report can be viewed at www.reading.gov.uk/article/11467/Policy-Committee-14-JAN-2019.