A PROPOSAL to establish a not-for-profit social enterprise to provide home care services in Stockton-on-Tees will be considered by councillors later this week.
The proposal would see Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council work in partnership with Thornaby based Five Lamps in a pilot scheme to support people with social care needs.
This would include practical support with daily activities such as personal care, taking medication, shopping, preparing meals and taking part in local activities.
During the pilot it is proposed that Five Lamps will work closely with local colleges to create a highly trained and motivated workforce with potential opportunities for career progression. The aim is that this will reduce staff turnover, a challenge often faced by the home care sector.
Councillor Jim Beall, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Services and Health, said: “We want all our residents to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. For many people the home care support they receive enables them to live independently in their own homes and prevents them from needing acute or residential care.
“Currently the majority of home care services across Stockton-on-Tees are delivered by two providers. We are proposing to develop a social enterprise with Five Lamps and pilot an innovative scheme to both strengthen the provision of quality home care services as well as offering greater choice and flexibility.
“The scheme would draw on the strengths of our communities, with local people providing help to others through a local voluntary organisation, and any profits being reinvested in growing and strengthening the services provided.”
The proposal to develop a social enterprise as an additional provider of home care services will be considered by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet on Thursday 19 May.