Extra care housing is a form of accessible accommodation mainly for older adults that is designed to promote independence and includes 24/7 on-site care and support.
Accommodation is in the form of self-contained ‘units’ - either flats or bungalows. Most schemes have communal spaces and facilities for all residents.
The accommodation is usually owned by a housing association whilst the care and support element is provided either in-house (Cumberland Care) or via the independent market, commissioned through a framework agreement.
Commissioned care providers are deemed to be the ‘provider of choice’ for all residents in a particular scheme, including people who self fund, though customers can choose to organise support from alternative providers if they wish.
There are currently nine extra schemes in Cumberland (including the soon to open Harbour Place in Workington). Five of these have care and
support delivered by the independent market. Four are delivered by Cumberland Care.
Find extra care housing schemes in Cumberland
Extra care housing units
Extra care housing units per 1,000 people (aged 65+) by key service centre:
- Brampton: 28
- Carlisle: 8
- Keswick: 48
- Millom: 8
- Whitehaven: 9
- Wigton: 28
- Workington: 12
Current provision is centred in a few areas of Cumberland only. It is very much a developing service area and demand is likely to substantially increase over the next few years.
There are gaps in provision in areas of west and north Cumberland. Current provision is focused on older adults with physical health needs, so this will likely need to increase for working age adults (such as people with learning disabilities, autism or mental health needs).
Market strengths
Growing market.
Increasing provision in west Cumberland.
Customers can stay in their own homes as their care needs increase, with assurance that support is available in an emergency.
Market challenges
Ensuring schemes have an appropriate mix of needs as current provision tends to focus on supporting a large number of residents with lower-level needs, making it more difficult to find suitable vacancies for people with medium or high level needs.
Sustainability of independent market.
Half of key service centre areas do not have extra care provision.
Gap in dementia-focused and working age adult.