By Alexander Brock

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The Labour-run authority, which is recovering from a financial crisis, carried out a review of its care centre model last year as it looked to make savings.

Council-run residential care currently operates in three venues – Kenrick Centre in Harborne, Ann Marie Howes in Sheldon and the Perry Tree Centre in Kingstanding.

Following the review, the preferred option was to close services and rent the buildings – a move which would have delivered targeted savings.

But a recent council report said it would have had “notable implications for the health and wellbeing” of existing permanent residents and their families.

“This option also had significant staffing implications for the council with the approach effectively placing 203 care centre staff at risk,” the authority added.

The council is now going ahead with a different solution after revised proposals were approved at a cabinet meeting earlier today, September 9.

The plans mean long-term residential and respite services will be delivered at The Kenrick Centre while ‘integrated intermediate care’ at Ann Marie Howes and Perry Tree Centres will be provided in partnership with a NHS Foundation Trust.

While all three centres are now set to be retained, residents currently living long-term at Ann Marie Howes and Perry Tree Centres “would be required to relocate from their existing care homes”.

Campaigner James Cross described The Kenrick Centre in Harborne as a “well-loved care home” that provides a “safe haven” for people with dementia and other debilitating conditions.

“I’ve been campaigning for it to be kept, including meeting with senior adult care staff and organising a petition to Birmingham City Council,” he said.

“While I’m pleased that the city council has reversed its earlier decision, it’s unacceptable that vulnerable residents, their families and centre staff have had to live with such uncertainty for months.”

Coun Martin Brooks, an independent councillor who recently quit the Labour Party, added: “Too many decisions by the council have been based on managed decline of the service, including cuts and closures of community libraries and adult day centres.

“It’s good to see some fresh thinking from the city council on adult social care that recognises the value in directly providing services.”

‘Council recognises emotional impact’

Coun Mariam Khan, the Labour cabinet member for health and social care, said the council had “listened and responded” to people’s concerns.

“[We have] looked at how we can best support people in both residential care and those regaining independence at home,” she said.

“This is great news for residents and for our staff who do such a great job looking after those that need support and I’m really pleased this revised proposal will see all three centres remain open.

“It shows what is possible when we work alongside our health partners to really integrate health and social care for the benefit of our residents.”

Regarding changes for those living at Ann Marie Howes and Perry Tree, Coun Khan added: “No changes would be made to residents’ care until appropriate alternatives are found.”

Residents currently living long-term at Ann Marie Howes and Perry Tree centres will relocate to either the Kenrick Centre or other independent sector care homes.

The report goes on to warn this change may be “unsettling, particularly given the age of the residents”.

“[It] has the potential to cause stress and adverse effects on their health and wellbeing,” it acknowledged.

“Moving older adults, particularly those living with dementia, may cause trauma, which can range from mild to severe, including mood, behaviour and physiological symptoms.”

Coun Khan told today’s meeting the council recognised the “emotional impact” of relocation and was committed to providing tailored support, including individual care plans.

Every resident will also be assigned a social worker.

Coun Rob Pocock, the cabinet member overseeing the council’s transformation, meanwhile described the revised proposals as a “spectacular achievement”.

“We have shown creativity, imagination and innovation,” he said.

On the possible impact on staff, the report said: “With this revised proposal, the council aims to mitigate the need for redundancies by retaining skilled staff to support future service delivery.”