The council’s reablement service will move from a south Reading care home to a site in Southcote.

The service, known as Discharge to Assess, will move to Charles Clore Court, with Reading Borough Council (RBC) temporarily closing the Willows care home where it is currently located.

Reablement is a short and intensive service, offered to people with disabilities and those who are frail or recovering from an illness or injury.

The proposal was approved by the policy committee on Monday evening.

Councillor Tony Jones, lead member for Adult Social Care, said discharge to assess services would be more suited to Charles Clore Court.

He said: "It is empty, although until recently we have had staff there, but it still requires significant maintenance costs.

“There is nothing wrong with sentiment but sometimes things do have to move on."

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

RBC expect Charles Clore Court, an extra care housing scheme near Prospect Park, will deliver a service consistent with best practice in bed-based reablement.

The decision 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.

The future use of the Willows building will be subject to further consultation.