Key services providing support to people with social care needs and learning disabilities have been brought under the direct control of Bath and North East Somerset Council.

Following a cabinet decision in May 2022 to not extend the contract with HCRG Care Group, the council has worked with the group to transfer these services to the council from April 1.

The move sees 238 employees transfer from HCRG Care Group to the council. They will continue to deliver the same social care services to adults in Bath and North East Somerset that they are currently providing, meaning that people who currently receive support will see continuity of service.

The services transferred also include supported living and specialist social work services for adults, including autism care and hearing and vision support.

As part of the move, day services – provided at Connections in Radstock - will also come across to the council, along with associated transport provision.

These services provide opportunities for adults who have a learning disability to learn new skills, gain confidence and participate in a range of activities. People will also continue to receive access to specialist support including speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and psychology.

The council will also continue to offer a first-response team acting as the first point of contact for people who need to access care. The Shared Lives Scheme, which links residents who need support with carers in their community will also now be run by the council, as will a vocational hub to help people with additional needs to access voluntary and paid employment.

Councillor Alison Born, cabinet member for Adult Services, said: “Our priority has always been to provide the highest quality care and help people to live happy, independent and fulfilling lives within their communities for as long as possible. Taking direct control of adult social care services in B&NES will give us greater power to shape how services are delivered and to achieve the best outcomes for people in our care.

“This move has brought us in line with the majority of other councils and will enable us to ensure that we are effectively managing staffing levels to meet residents’ needs, also helping to improve recruitment in a highly competitive job market. It will ensure that services offer value for money, are robust and ultimately protect vulnerable people while enabling them to live the best life they can.”

All the care services the council provides can be found on our adult social care and health webpages.

Residents can refer themselves to the Adult Social Care Team or be referred by a GP or other health care professional. 

If you live in Bath, contact [email protected] or call 01225 394550.

If you live in North East Somerset, contact [email protected] or call 01225 394560.

You can read the cabinet decision agreeing that the council will deliver adult social care services from 1 April 2024 here: https://democracy.bathnes.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?AIId=30548